By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews

Robyn Garcia

WARSAW — A man will serve three years behind bars after recording a child in various states of undress.

Robyn Garcia, 23, Grabill, was charged with child exploitation, a level 5 felony; and possession of child pornography and voyeurism, both level 6 felonies. Three additional criminal charges were dismissed as part of a plea agreement.

Garcia was sentenced in Kosciusko Superior Court One on Monday, Sept. 19.

On Nov. 15, 2021, Warsaw Police responded to a report of child exploitation. An unnamed individual said a child found a cellphone recording in a closet while they were getting dressed after taking a shower. The phone was turned over to the Warsaw Police Department.

Two days later, the child was interviewed at Safe Harbor Child Advocacy Center. They told officials that on Nov. 15, 2021, they took a shower and walked into a room to get dressed. After taking their towel off and getting dressed, the child noticed a phone was propped up in a closet and recording.

The child stopped the video and deleted the recording.

During the interview, the child said once they left, Garcia contacted them and asked them not to report the incident and to return the phone. The child reported what occurred to local school officials.

A search warrant for Garcia’s phone was obtained and included a video of the child in a bathroom on Nov. 9, 2021, using the restroom. Two video files created on Nov. 10, 2021, showed the child in a state of full nudity.

The detective also received copies of a text conversation between the child and Garcia on Nov. 15, 2021. During the conversation, Garcia asked for the phone to be returned, provided the phone’s access code to delete files, and asked the child to not report the incident.

During court proceedings, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Joseph Sobek said Garcia has one prior misdemeanor and noted that the plea agreement for the case is appropriate.

“Cellphones can be used for good but they can also be used for ill,” said Sobek. “My heart goes out to the victim who still struggles to this day.”

Defense Attorney Isaiah Vanderpool said Garcia is employed and that several letters of support were submitted to the court, including from Garcia’s church and employer. He noted that Garcia was very remorseful for his actions.

Vanderpool also said that Garcia was denied alternative sentencing through the county’s work release and community corrections programs.

“I’m not sorry that I got caught,” said Garcia. “I’m glad the victim came forward and had the courage to do so. I’m glad to face the consequences for my actions.”

“You did not just get caught with child pornography,” said Judge McGrath. “You actively preyed on a child. What causes someone to victimize another human being?”

For child exploitation, Kosciusko Superior Court One Judge Karin McGrath sentenced Garcia to three years in the Kosciusko County Jail. Two years of that sentence will be executed and one year was suspended on probation. Garcia received a one-year KCJ sentence for possession of child pornography. The one-year sentence will run concurrently, or at the same time, as the child exploitation sentence.

For voyeurism, Garcia received a two-year KCJ sentence, with one year executed and one year on probation. This two-year sentence will run consecutively to Garcia’s child exploitation sentence.

In total, Garcia received a five-year sentence, with three years executed and two years on probation.

A no-contact order between Garcia and the victim remains in effect. Garcia must also register as a sex offender.