This release is being sent at the request of, and in cooperation with the Bartholomew County Prosecutor's Office. The release is below.
**All media inquiries should be directed to the Bartholomew County Prosecutor's Office**
OFFICE OF THE PROSECUTING ATTORNEY
BARTHOLOMEW COUNTY, INDIANA – Five men were arrested during a sting operation targeting online child sex offenders. Led by the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, the operation spanned multiple days and involved federal, state and local law enforcement agencies working undercover to intercept predators seeking unlawful contact with minors.
Bartholomew County Prosecutor Lindsey Holden said the collaboration of agencies is instrumental in such investigations. “The agencies involved in this operation are very committed to keeping our kids safer in a world where technology can make them more vulnerable,” she said. Investigators used a variety of social media platforms to intercept the suspects.
“These five individuals traveled well over 400 miles total, believing they were going to have sexual contact with minors in Columbus,” said Bartholomew County Sheriff Chris Lane. “We will continue to work with fellow law enforcement agencies everywhere to capture offenders against children and hold them accountable.”
Columbus Police Chief Steve Norman said, "We must be proactive in our efforts to prevent child sex offenders from harming our children. Our continued investment into investigating, educating, and preventing child sex crimes will make Columbus safer and preserve our community as a great place to raise a family."
ISP Lieutenant Christopher Cecil, the Commander of the Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force stated, “The success of this operation illustrates the Indiana ICAC’s steadfast commitment to its mission to protect children from online exploitation and solicitation. By collaborating with local, state, and federal law enforcement, we work diligently to protect our communities from the online scourge that seeks to prey on children.”
The investigation was led by the Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) and hosted by the Bartholomew County Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (BCICAC). Involved agencies included:
• Indiana State Police
• Bartholomew County Prosecutor’s Office
• Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office
• Columbus Police Department
• U.S. Department of Homeland Security
• Bloomington Police Department
• Jennings County Sheriff’s Office
• Howard County Sheriff’s Office
• Clinton County Sheriff’s Office
• Jeffersonville Police Department
• Westfield Police Department
• Indiana Intelligence Fusion Center
Those arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. They are:
Matthew Bruce Ciske, age 48, Richmond, Indiana
• Child Solicitation, Level 4 felony
• Attempted Sexual Misconduct with a Minor, Level 4 felony
Andrew Rodger Donat, age 59, Indianapolis, Indiana
• Child Solicitation, Level 4 felony
• Attempted Sexual Misconduct with a Minor, Level 4 felony
David Todd Hahn, age 48, Mt. Washington, Kentucky
• Child Solicitation, Level 4 felony
• Attempted Sexual Misconduct with a Minor, Level 4 felony
Luis Ernesto Nunez Machuca, age 37, Streamwood, Illinois
• Child Solicitation, Level 4 felony
• Attempted Sexual Misconduct with a Minor, Level 4 felony
Nathan Todd Jones, age 49, Thorntown, Indiana
• Child Solicitation, Level 4 felony
• Possession of Methamphetamine, Level 6 felony
• Possession of Marijuana, Class B misdemeanor
• Possession of Paraphernalia, Class C misdemeanor