Press release: Troopers Arrest Five Suspects for Child Solicitation

The following press release was sent to The Bloomingtonian Thursday evening. Two of the suspects are from Bloomington. 

Text of the release begins here: 

“Troopers Arrest Five Suspects for Child Solicitation

On  Thursday, January 14th, Indiana State Police troopers from the  Bloomington District concluded a lengthy investigation into reports of  child solicitation. The investigation culminated in the arrest of five  people, who were residing in four different counties across the state,  on charges of Child Solicitation, a Level 4 Felony.

The  investigation began in early December when Trp. Robert Whyte received  information from a concerned citizen in Lawrence County. It was reported  that multiple adult males had allegedly solicited an individual, who  they believed to be a 15-year-old girl, to commit sexual acts with them.  Trp. Whyte launched five separate investigations and worked closely  with the Lawrence County Prosecutor’s Office throughout the  investigation. The detailed investigations included numerous search  warrants and analysis of electronic communications between the suspects  and victim.

Once  the investigations were completed, they were reviewed by the Lawrence  County Prosecutor Samuel C Arp III, Deputy Prosecutor Allison Chopra,  and then submitted to the Lawrence County Superior Court 1 were The  Honorable John Plummer III determined that probable cause existed for  the arrest of the five suspects and arrest warrants were issued for  each. In addition, search warrants for the residences and electronic  devices of the suspects were also issued.

On  Thursday evening, Indiana State Police Sgt. Greg Day and the  Bloomington District A.C.E.S. (Aggressive Criminal Enforcement Section),  along with ISP troopers assigned to Lawrence County, and members of the  Lawrence County Prosecutor’s Office successfully served the five arrest  and search warrants simultaneously across the area. The evidence seized  during these search warrants are being analyzed for the possibility of  other offenses.  All five suspects were arrested without incident and  incarcerated at the Lawrence County Jail. Additional charges are also  possible as the investigation concludes.

The arrested suspects are:

  1. Roger  Keith, 58 years old from Coal City was arrested for Child Solicitation,  a Level 4 Felony. He is being held at Lawrence County Jail
  2. Thomas  Pinnick, 25 years old from Mitchell was arrested for Child  Solicitation, a Level 4 Felony. He is being held at the Lawrence County  Jail
  3. Brandon  Dipasquale, 35 years old from Bloomington was arrested for Child  Solicitation, a Level 4 Felony. He is being held at the Lawrence County  Jail
  4. Travis  Henry, 47 years old from Bloomington was arrested for Child  Solicitation, a Level 4 Felony. He is being held at the Lawrence County  Jail
  5. James  Wheeler, 24 years old from Paoli was arrested for Child Solicitation, a  Level 4 Felony. He is being held at the Lawrence County Jail

When  asked about the investigation, Sgt. Day stated, “I commend not only the  teamwork and cooperation to successfully serve five warrants at the  same time in four counties but also Trp. Whyte for his tireless hard  work on these investigations.” Day continued, “Without a doubt, this  investigation has saved young girls in our community from becoming  victims to such alleged predators.”  Sgt. Day reminds all parents that  these dangers are ever-present and a real threat to our vulnerable  youth. He encourages parents to monitor closely the types of Apps and  the communications that their children are taking part of on social  media.

WOOD

-30-

Under the law, criminal charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent and until proven guilty.”

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