United States Attorney Announces Gun, Child Pornography Charges Against Evansville Man
U.S. Attorney Hogsett Says That Defendant Engaged in Lifestyle of Lawlessness

INDIANAPOLIS—Joseph H. Hogsett, the United States Attorney, announced today that Logan A. Wells, age 18, of Evansville, has been charged with possessing sexually explicit material involving minor children and with possessing a firearm as a drug abuser. This follows a collaborative investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Cyber Crimes Task Force, along with the Evansville Police Department Narcotics Task Force.

“The charges against this defendant allege a lifestyle of lawlessness that has no place in the Indiana,” Hogsett said. “Guns, drugs, and the exploitation of children are all scourges on this community, and our office is dedicated to holding accountable those who engage or encourage such criminal acts.”

The formal charges allege that on June 26, 2012, Wells was found by Vanderburgh County law enforcement to be in possession of a substantial number of images that depicted minor children engaging in sexually explicit conduct. These materials were allegedly saved on an Apple MacBook in the defendant’s home. The documents also allege that Wells was using marijuana when he was found by law enforcement and was in possession of a .22 caliber semiautomatic pistol in violation of federal law.

According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd S. Shellenbarger, who is prosecuting the case for the government, Wells faces a maximum of 10 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine if he is found guilty on all counts. Under federal law, defendants must serve a minimum of 85 percent of their prison term inside a correctional facility. An initial hearing will be scheduled in Evansville before a U.S. Magistrate Judge.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual abuse.