By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews

Christopher Michael Carson

WARSAW — A Warsaw man received a one-year suspended sentence after officers discovered he had inappropriate online conversations with and possessed porn of underage girls.

Christopher Michael Carson, 32, 2441 W. CR 250S Lot 95, Warsaw, was charged with possession of child pornography, a level 6 felony. A false informing charge was dismissed as part of a plea agreement.

Carson was sentenced in Kosciusko Superior Court One on Monday, March 1.

On Aug. 26, 2020, a Warsaw Police officer received a report of someone hacking into a computer. Carson told the officer someone had hacked into his Skype account and was messaging an underage girl. Carson said he was being accused of pedophilia and wanted to know what his options were.

Two additional officers went to Carson’s residence to discuss the issue. Carson once again told officers his account was hacked and said an underage girl had sent him nude pictures but that he did not send a single thing.

When officers reviewed messages on Carson’s phone, they found a conversation beginning on Aug. 26, 2020. During the conversation, the girl confirmed her age and Carson confirmed his. Photographs were exchanged and an inappropriate video was sent. In the messages, Carson replied that he was unable to view the video on his phone and needed to transfer it to his laptop.

Carson then allowed officers to look at his laptop. While searching the laptop, officers found the inappropriate conversation with the girl continued and that the video was viewed.

Carson’s phone and laptop were taken by officers for forensic analysis. After downloading the contents from Carson’s devices, officers discovered a “long chat history” with the underage girl, along with inappropriate conversations taking place with two additional underage girls.

While continuing the search on Carson’s electronic devices, officers found several pornographic images that appeared to depict children.

On Aug. 27, 2020, Carson was interviewed by officers about the found evidence. During the interview, he initially denied being responsible for the conversations and said a friend had used his computer. After the officer reviewed the information with him, Carson admitted he was responsible for the conversations and child pornography found on his devices.

During court proceedings, a letter from The Rescue Mission in Fort Wayne was presented as evidence on Carson’s behalf. The Rescue Mission is a faith-based nonprofit organization that provides restorative care.

Defense Attorney Jay Rigdon noted that Carson has no prior criminal history and has remained employed while taking appropriate steps to maintain his mental and emotional health.

“He’s made good, positive steps,” said Rigdon. “(The charge) is an aberration that doesn’t make up his life.”

For possession of child pornography, Kosciusko Superior Court One Special Judge Karen Springer sentenced Carson to one year in the Kosciusko County Jail, with the entirety of the sentence suspended on probation.

Carson must follow all sex offender rules and is required to participate in The Rescue Mission’s residential program.

“Clearly this is conduct that’ll have a tremendous impact on your life,” said Judge Springer. “I hope you understand that this is a very serious issue and you can’t repeat it.”