Indiana State Police troopers took a Hammond man into custody Tuesday on an outstanding Porter County warrant for several felony counts related to child pornography.
Rogelio Herrera Jr., 22, is charged with three Level 5 felony counts of possession of child pornography and one Level 6 felony count of possession of child pornography, according to a release from Indiana State Police’s Lowell Post. The outstanding warrant was issued by the Porter County Sheriff’s Department.
The arrest, according to the release, was the result of an extensive investigation that originated in California. The Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office received a report that an unknown individual had been communicating with an 11-year-old boy via multiple social media applications.
The child was determined to be safe, and no physical contact was ever made, according to the release. Multiple search warrants and subpoenas were issued, and several digital devices were examined as the investigation progressed.
The investigation revealed that the communications originated from Indiana, and the case was transferred to the Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children Unit. A forensic examination later conducted by the Indiana State Police Digital Forensics Unit of a device recovered from the suspect revealed multiple files containing Child Sexual Abuse Materials (CSAM).
Herrera was taken into custody during a traffic stop and transported to the Porter County Jail.
Assisting agencies include the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office, Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office, Indiana State Police District 13, Homeland Security Investigations, Hammond Police Department, Portage Police Department and the Indiana State Police Drug Enforcement Section.