Troopers: Columbus man arrested on child porn charges

Note: This story has been edited

A Columbus man has been arrested, accused of child pornography related charges.

According to the Indiana State Police, troopers received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children about six months ago, indicating that a man was sharing possible child pornography images on social media. The investigation involved several warrants and subpoenas being issued and led to 56-year-old Michael E. Lawless of Columbus.

On Wednesday, troopers along with Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department deputies and the United States Secret Service, served additional search warrants on Lawless in Bartholomew County.

Lawless was arrested on felony charges of distribution and possession of child pornography, troopers say.

The Bartholomew County Prosecutor’s Office also assisted in this investigation.

The Indiana ICAC Task Force encourages Hoosiers to report online exploitation, solicitation, and enticement-type crimes against children to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The NCMEC website can be accessed through the ICAC Task Force website located at internetcrimesagainstkids.com. Suspected criminal activity may also be reported to your local law enforcement agency.