News Release-Suspect Arrested and Charged with 10 Felony Counts after ICAC Investigation, 10.2.26

News Release-Suspect Arrested and Charged with Ten Felony Counts After Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force Investigation, 10.2.26

The Elkhart County Prosecutor’s Office has charged an Elkhart man with ten felony counts after the Elkhart Police Department arrested him as part of an Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force investigation.

An Elkhart Police Department officer and member of the Elkhart Police Department Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force received and reviewed an ICAC cyber tip involving flagged cryptocurrency transactions believed to be associated with the purchase and sale of child sexual abuse material on the dark web.

After further investigation, an EPD officer applied for and obtained a residential search warrant for electronic devices at a residence in the 2200 block of Wood St, Elkhart. On September 30, 2026, Elkhart Police Department officers executed the search warrant at this home. During the investigation, officers located multiple CSAM videos and images on a device(s). Officers arrested Zakary M. DeFreese, 22 years old of Elkhart, on September 30, 2026, and booked him into the Elkhart County Jail on preliminary charges in connection with this investigation.

The Elkhart County Prosecutor’s Office subsequently filed formal criminal charges against him in Elkhart Superior Court (case no. 20D03-2610-F5-000227). Zakary DeFreese was charged with ten (10) counts of Possession of Child Sex Abuse Material, each a Level 5 Felony.

An Elkhart County judicial officer previously set his bond at $5,000 surety. Please be advised that under Indiana law an individual is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

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