Hammond, IN – A Hammond man was arrested Tuesday following an investigation into alleged child exploitation, according to the Indiana State Police.
Authorities said Rogelio Herrera Jr., 22, was taken into custody September 16 after a traffic stop. The arrest came from an outstanding warrant issued by the Porter County Sheriff’s Department, connected to a wider probe that began in Santa Clara County, California.
According to police, investigators learned an unidentified person had been communicating with an 11-year-old boy through social media. No physical contact occurred, and the child was determined to be safe. Search warrants and subpoenas led authorities to Indiana, where the Internet Crimes Against Children Unit took over the case.
Police said digital devices recovered from Herrera allegedly contained multiple files of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM). He now faces four felony charges: three counts of possession of child pornography (Level 5 felony) and one count of possession of child pornography (Level 6 felony).
The investigation involved multiple agencies, including the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations, Hammond Police, and Portage Police.
Herrera is currently being held at the Porter County Jail. Authorities stressed that all suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
Follow us on Instagram & Facebook for more relevant news stories and SUPPORT LOCAL INDEPENDENT NEWS! Have a tip? Message us!
