Kokomo man charged with child molesting, exploitation after Google CyberTip

KOKOMO, Ind. — A Kokomo man faces several felony charges following a monthslong investigation into the possession of child sexual abuse material.

The investigation began in April 2026. Detective Kysha Quirk, with the Howard County Sheriff’s Office and the Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, started the case after receiving a report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Google generated the report, which included images that were flagged and confirmed to be child sexual abuse material.

During the investigation, authorities identified Jarren Schmitt, 22, as the user associated with the account. Investigators served a search warrant Sept. 3, 2026, at a home in the 300 block of Walker Avenue on the city’s northwest side. During the search, authorities seized several electronic devices that they later found contained child sexual abuse material.

Police arrested Schmitt as a result of the investigation. He faces charges of child molesting, a Level 1 felony; child exploitation, a Level 3 felony; and possession of child sexual abuse material, a Level 3 felony.

The Kokomo Police Department and the Indiana State Police assisted the Howard County Sheriff’s Office with the case.

The Indiana ICAC Task Force encourages people to report online exploitation, solicitation, and enticement crimes against children to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. To learn more about their efforts, visit internetcrimesagainstkids.com.