Indiana man indicted on charges of producing child pornography

INDIANAPOLIS – An east-central Indiana man was indicted Friday on charges he produced child pornography. These charges resulted from an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Hamilton County Child Exploitation Task Force, the Carmel Police Department and the New Castle Police Department.

Larry G. Young, 60, of New Castle, was indicted on charges he produced sexually explicit material involving a 6-year-old child.

"Child pornography is the indelible record of a child being sexually exploited," said Gary Hartwig, special agent in charge of HSI Chicago. "These children are endlessly victimized every time those images are transmitted, downloaded, shared or viewed. Predators who think that they can perform such heinous acts and get away with it are sorely mistaken. HSI will continue working with federal, state and local partners to ensure that those who sexually exploit innocent children are brought to justice."

"It is unfortunate to make another announcement like this one in New Castle, but protecting Hoosier children is a top priority and an obligation that I take very seriously," said Joseph H. Hogsett, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana.

The indictment alleges that Young was found by law enforcement March 4 to have coerced a 6-year-old child into participating in sexually explicit activities, which Young then recorded with his cell phone in order to produce materials that could be viewed later.

If convicted, Young faces up to 30 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Young will be held in federal custody pending trial.

This investigation was part of Operation Predator, a nationwide HSI initiative to protect children from sexual predators, including those who travel overseas for sex with minors, Internet child pornographers, criminal alien sex offenders and child sex traffickers. HSI encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free hotline at 1-866-DHS-2ICE or by completing its online tip form. Both are staffed around the clock by investigators.

Suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children may be reported to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, an Operation Predator partner, at 1-800-843-5678 or http://www.cybertipline.com.