LOOGOOTEE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Several law enforcement agencies worked together to arrest and charge a man with three counts of possession of child pornography.

Members of the Indiana State Police’s Internet Crimes Against Children Unit and Digital Forensics Unit with assistance from the Martin County Sheriff’s Department and Loogootee Police Department collaborated in an investigation and a search of the suspect’s residence. 

After receiving several cyber tips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), officers were able to gather enough evidence to search the residence of Ryan Watkins, 45, of Loogootee.

Through investigation, detectives identified Watkins and troopers were able to locate Watkins driving on US 50 and pull him over. Watkins was then arrested and taken to Martin County Jail for the following charges:

• Three Counts of Possession of Child Pornography Under 12 Years Old, Level 5 Felony

Along with ISP ICAC detectives and examiners from the Digital Forensics Unit with the residential search warrant were Troopers from the Jasper and Bloomington posts, Martin County Sheriff Department Officers, and Loogootee Police Department Officers.

Anyone who has information related to crimes against children is urged to contact their local law enforcement agency or visit the NCMEC website and find the link to make a cyber line tip report.