Fishers, IN – A Pendleton man has been arrested on seven felony counts related to alleged child sex crimes following an investigation by the Hamilton County Metro ICAC Task Force.
According to a statement released Thursday by the Fishers Police Department, Jonathan Wesley Peternel, 24, of Pendleton, IN, was taken into custody on October 23, 2025, and charged with multiple felonies, including Child Exploitation (Dissemination), a Level 4 Felony.
Investigators say a CyberTip submitted by Snapchat to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children prompted the case. Detectives with the ICAC Task Force obtained a search warrant for Peternel’s Snapchat account, uncovering child sexual abuse material and evidence he allegedly shared it with other users.
A follow-up search of Peternel’s home reportedly turned up more than 200 files of suspected child sexual abuse material, some depicting extreme and disturbing content.
Peternel is currently being held at the Madison County Jail. Authorities emphasize that all charges are allegations and the suspect is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The Hamilton County Metro ICAC Task Force is a partnership among several area law enforcement agencies, including the Fishers, Carmel, and Noblesville Police Departments, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Madison County Sheriff’s Office.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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