IN - John Harp charged with possessing over 3,000 images and videos of CSAM - September 9. 2023

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Man claimed misspelled word in search engine led to decades of downloading child porn: Cops

John Lee Harp was arrested and allegedly admitted to police that a misspelled word in an online search led to a decade long addiction to child pornography.

lawandcrime.com

A 71-year-old man in Indiana was arrested this week for allegedly having child sexual abuse material, telling police that he accidentally discovered the illicit material more than 10 years ago when he misspelled in an online search engine.

John Lee Harp, of Anderson, Indiana, was taken into custody on Wednesday and charged with four felony counts of possession of child pornography, court records reviewed by Law&Crime show.

Both news reports state Harp admitted to authorities at the scene that he had been masturbating to child sexual abuse material in his home just moments before officers arrived at the residence.

Investigators seized several electronic devices from Harp’s home. A search of those devices reportedly revealed that Harp was storing more than 2,000 images of CSAM and more than 20 videos. Police said that some victims depicted in the pictures and videos were as young as 4, WANE reported.

Harp was booked into the Madison County Detention Center. Records show that his bond was set at $1,000.

 

[FrostedGlass]

Here's his case. The notice of intent is interesting. I don't find much on him; is he from another state or can they use the 4 charges in this one case to push him into habitual offender status? His charges have different dates but they are within 6 months of each other.​

State of Indiana v. John Lee Harp​

Case Number	48C04-2308-F5-002593
Court	Madison Circuit Court 4
Type	F5 - Felony 5

09/01/2023

Notice Of Intent To Seek Habitual Offender Status State's Notice of Habitual Filed By: State of Indiana

 

[FrostedGlass]

Here's an update, just to close this out.

06/25/2024
Order on Hearing
This matter comes before the court scheduled for sentencing hearing. State appears by Kady Coulon, Deputy Prosecutor. Defendant appears in person and by counsel, Dave Alger. The court finds the defendant guilty of Count I, Possession of Child Pornography, a Level 5 Felony, Count II, Possession of Child Pornography, a Level 5 Felony, Count III, Possession of Child Pornography, a Level 5 Felony, and Count IV, Possession of Child Pornography, a Level 5 Felony and judgment of conviction is entered. Evidence and argument heard regarding sentence. Court finds aggravation: 1) Criminal history; 2) Multiple counts; 3) Multiple images. Court finds mitigation: 1) Shows signs of remorse; 2) Accepted responsibility by pleading guilty. Aggravation outweighs mitigation. Defendant is sentenced to the Indiana Department of Correction for 5 years on each count. Said sentences shall run concurrently with each other and are suspended but for 2 years. Defendant is given credit for 2 actual days (9/6/23 to 9/7/23), plus 1 day of good time credit. 3 years probation with user fees ($100.00, $60.00 and $30.00) attached. Fine of $10.00 and court costs of $1890 versus defendant. Cash bond released after deducting fine, court cost and user fees. JUDGMENT as Order.
Judicial Officer:Carroll, Dennis -SR
Order Signed:06/18/2024

As per IN DoC
Earliest Possible Release Date* 07/07/2025