On March 19, 2023, officers of the Kokomo Police Department were contacted by the Tell City Police Department in reference to a 14-year-old male juvenile who was reported missing on March 18, 2023.  As a result of the initial investigation, an address in the 4000 block of Independence Drive was determined to be a possible location of the juvenile.  Officers subsequently located the juvenile inside the residence, and transported him to a local hospital for evaluation.

Investigators obtained a search warrant for the residence and numerous electronic devices were seized.  The Kokomo Police Department Forensic Computer Lab located suspected child sexual abuse material on a device.

As a result, 53-year-old Michael E. Horne of Kokomo was arrested for Promotion of Child Sexual Trafficking, a Level 3 Felony.  Additional charges are expected to be submitted to the Howard County Prosecutors Office.

The Kokomo Police Department is affiliated with the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force which is comprised of numerous agencies across the state and nation.  Assisting with the investigation was the Kokomo Police Department Uniformed Patrol Division, Criminal Investigation Section, and Tell City Police Department Investigators.

Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Detective Austin Bailey at 765-456-7280 or at abailey@cityofkokomo.org.  You may qualify for a cash reward by calling Central Indiana Crime Stoppers at 1-800-262-TIPS with your anonymous tip.  Tips can also be submitted by utilizing the Tip411 app.

If the public has any information regarding child sexual abuse material or child exploitation, please contact the Kokomo Police Department or report it to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children 1-800-843-5678 or at https://www.missingkids.org

Remember, all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Alert sent on 03/20/2023 at 10:03AM EDT

Suspect

Name: Michael Horne

Michael Horne

To submit a tip via text message text TIPKPD and your tip to 847411

Alert delivered to the following groups: Kokomo Police Department, Crime Watch Group, Media Contact, and Pastors Group

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