Repeat Offender Sentenced to Nearly 20 Years in Federal Prison for New Child Exploitation Crimes

INDIANAPOLIS - Andrew Scott Whitaker, Jr., 30, of Indianapolis, has been sentenced to 19.5 years in federal prison, followed by 15 years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to distribution and possession of child sexual abuse material. Whitaker was also ordered to pay restitution to each of 15 identified victims, totaling $47,500.

According to court documents, on December 27, 2024, Whitaker sent multiple images and videos containing child sexual abuse material to several individuals using the social media messaging application Kik. On March 27, 2025, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Whitaker's residence and recovered a cellphone containing approximately 2,279 images and 1,109 video files of child sexual abuse material. Investigators also discovered a second Kik account Whitaker used to facilitate the same criminal conduct.

At the time of his 2024 arrest, Whitaker was on federal supervised release stemming from a 2021 conviction in the Southern District of Indiana for possession of and access with intent to view child sexual abuse material.

"This dangerous offender exploited a social media platform to circulate the horrific abuse of the most vulnerable among us, all while already on federal supervised release for the same reprehensible conduct," said Tom Wheeler, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. "Those who gather online to revel in the exploitation of children should know that we will identify you, we will find you, and we will hold you accountable."

"Distribution and possession of child sexual abuse material is a serious crime that causes significant pain and trauma to victims, families and the community, and it carries significant penalties, as this case demonstrates," said Special Agent in Charge Ike Barnes, of the U.S. Secret Service's Indianapolis Field Office. "The U.S. Secret Service is committed to using its resources to pursue those who choose to engage in such nefarious online behavior. Thank you to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, the Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force and the U.S. Attorney's Office of the Southern District of Indiana for their work in helping to bring this repeat offender to justice.

The United States Secret Service and Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by Chief U.S. District Judge James R. Sweeney, II.

U.S. Attorney Wheeler thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys MaryAnn Mindrum, who prosecuted this case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.

If you are a victim of child sexual exploitation, please contact your local police department. Resources for victims of child exploitation can be found on our website at https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdin/project-safe-childhood

This investigation was conducted by the Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, a multiagency task force led by the Indiana State Police that investigates and prosecutes persons who use the internet to sexually exploit or entice children. Each year, Indiana ICAC investigators evaluate thousands of tips, investigate hundreds of cases, and rescue dozens of children from ongoing sexual abuse. Visit https://www.internetcrimesagainstkids.com to learn more about their efforts.

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