Dubois County Task Force Arrests Jasper Man in CSAM Investigation
A 19-year-old Jasper resident, Eli J. Lehmkuhler, was arrested on October 10 after a cyber tip alerted authorities to alleged possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
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A 19-year-old Jasper resident, Eli J. Lehmkuhler, was arrested on October 10 after a cyber tip alerted authorities to alleged possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). The investigation began in September when the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children flagged suspicious uploads on the messaging app Kik linked to Lehmkuhler’s account. Jasper Police led the operation with assistance from the Dubois County Sheriff’s Office and Indiana State Police.
Multiple search warrants were executed at addresses in Jasper, where officers seized electronic devices for forensic analysis. Lehmkuhler faces two felony counts of child exploitation (Level 4 and Level 5) and a Class A misdemeanor for distributing an intimate image. He was booked into the Dubois County Security Center and remains held pending court proceedings. All charges are allegations, and he is presumed innocent until proven guilty. Authorities say the case underscores the importance of parental awareness and digital safety in rural communities.
Level 4 felony convictions in Indiana can carry up to 12 years in prison, depending on circumstances. Investigators continue to analyze the seized devices for additional evidence.