Russell
A Franklin man is accused of possessing child pornography following an investigation that started in 2021.
Joshua Daniel Russell, 49, is charged with two counts of possession of child pornography as a Level 5 felony.
In September 2021, Greenwood Police and the Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force received a cyber-tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children regarding possible sexual exploitation of children on the internet, according to a probable cause affidavit filed in Johnson County Superior Court 2 on Feb. 7.
The tip, which was from Google, said that someone had uploaded a file containing child pornography in March 2020. The person who uploaded the file had email addresses, a phone number and an IP address allegedly associated with Russell, according to the affidavit.
A subsequent check of the IP address showed it was assigned to the Greenwood area, however, the internet provider was unable to provide the subscriber’s information. But a check of the phone number listed on the tip showed that it allegedly belonged to Russell, the affidavit shows.
Police then received a search warrant and searched Russell’s Franklin home in September 2021, seizing several items. Russell was not home at the time, but police did speak with a witness who said they hadn’t seen any child pornography on his devices, the affidavit says.
Ten devices were seized during the search. Subsequent forensic exams showed 13 photos of child pornography on a hard drive, the affidavit shows.
Additionally, Russell allegedly made at least six Google searches with language associated with searches for child pornography, according to the affidavit.
Detectives attempted to speak with Russell several times from September 2021 to September 2022 about the investigation. Russell allegedly never returned their messages, according to the affidavit.
A warrant was issued for Russell’s arrest on Feb. 9. He was booked into the Johnson County jail on Feb. 10 and his bond was set at $1,250, which he paid and was later released.
An initial hearing has not yet been set.
