A Linton man, who is currently resigtered as a sex offender from a case stemming back to 2019, appeared in Greene Circuit Court Nov. 25 on new charges of child exploitation and possession of child pornography—both with aggravating factors. 

On Nov. 21, Logan Lee Pruitt, 23, was arrested by Indiana State Police Det. Kevin Frank. His bond was set at $25,000 surety with 10% cash allowed. 

Pruitt is being charged with child exploitation with an aggravating factor, a Level 4 Felony and possession of child pornography with an aggravating factor, a Level 5 felony.  

According to a probable cause affidavit written by Frank, during the months of June, July, August, and November, Pruitt knowingly and intentionally possessed imagery of children under the age of 12 being depicted in sexual manners and displaying sexual conduct. During that same time, Pruitt also allegedly knowingly and intentionally disseminated  imagery of children under the age of 12 being depicted in sexual manners and displaying sexual conduct.

On Sept. 30, Frank—who is affiliated with the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force—began to investigate an internet complaint from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). 

The NCMEC complaint, according to the probable cause affidavit, was identified from MediaLab/Kik, a social media platform. Kik Messenger, commonly known as Kik, is an instant messaging mobile app. Two files were transmitted through the platform. Both images fit the definition of child pornography. 

Frank received three additional NCMEC complaints. These complaints, according to the probable cause, were issued to Frank because the same IP address was being used to access child pornography. The email addresses used to access Kik and Discord, another social media platform, were different. The commonality was the IP address. 

Frank applied for search warrants for the IP address and Google accounts.  According to the probable cause affidavit, the IP address returned to a residence in Linton. The email addresses traced back to the IP address. 

Within the Kik account, Frank was able to locate a “selfie” of Pruitt, which according to the probable cause affidavit, verified it was his account. Within the Kik account, several images and videos of pornography were located. Within communication records, according to the probable cause affidavit, Pruitt identified himself as a 16-year-old named Samantha. Also during communications, he attempted to sell images across Kik for money. 

On Nov. 21, Pruitt was transported to the Greene County Sheriff’s Department. Upon arrival, a cell phone was seized from him. Later that day, a search warrant was executed at his residence, which produced several electronic devices from his bedroom including cell phones, storage devices, USB drives, a computer tower, and a camera. 

When speaking with Pruitt, according to the probable cause affidavit, he admitted to Frank that he had been viewing child pornography on Kik and Discord. He also allegedly admitted he had been distributing child pornography through the apps. He alleged he also attempted to sell child pornography online as a way to make money. Pruitt informed Frank his computer and cell phones would and could possess child pornography when examined. 

Pruitt was booked into the Greene County Jail, where his bond was set at $25,000 with 10% cash allowed.

He appeared in Greene Circuit Court for an initial hearing on Nov. 25.