An investigation conducted by members of the Indiana State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) resulted in the arrest of Raymond Marquez Paz Sr., 72, of Merrillville, Indiana. Investigators received a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) related to a specific internet browser that had been used to search for child pornography.
During the investigation, Mr. Paz was determined to be the suspect, and the activity was traced to his residence. A search warrant for his residence in Merrillville was requested and granted with the assistance of the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office. That search warrant was executed by investigators in June 2023, in which multiple devices were seized. Forensic examinations conducted by the ISP Digital Forensics Unit revealed files containing child sexual abuse materials (CSAM).
As a result, Mr. Paz was charged with the following:
- Possession of Child Pornography, Level 5 Felony (5 counts)
- Possession of Child Pornography, Level 6 Felony (15 counts)
Mr. Paz was arrested on a warrant and transported to Lake County Jail on Thursday, June 12, 2025, by the Lake County Sheriff’s Department.
Agencies assisting in the investigation were members of the Indiana State Police Digital Forensic Unit, Indiana State Police Lowell District, Homeland Security Investigations, the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office, and Lake County Sheriff’s Department.
Anyone who has any information related to internet crimes against children and/or seeking resources are encouraged to go to the following Indiana ICAC website: internetcrimesagainstkids.com
*All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
