MITCHELL – A Mitchell man, Travis A. Bell, 37, was arrested Thursday, May 29, on multiple felony charges, including five counts of possession of child pornography of a victim under 12 years of age. He also faces charges of possession of methamphetamine, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia.
The investigation by the Indiana State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force began on March 20, 2025, when Detective Robert Whyte identified an IP address geo-located near Bloomington, linked to a Smithville Internet account. Using specialized Peer-2-Peer (P2P) software, the detective located a user possessing numerous illegal files defined as child sexual abuse material.
Further investigation revealed a second IP address, also linked to Smithville Internet and a resort and marina, which also reported possession of illegal child sexual abuse material files. A key piece of evidence was the discovery of matching Globally Unique Identifier (GUID) numbers across both IP addresses, indicating the same individual was using both.
Subpoenas for hotel records and employee time cards were issued. The investigation determined that the P2P activity occurred only when a specific employee was clocked in, leading detectives to identify Travis Bell, an Engineering Technician for the resort, as the suspect.
On May 29, 2025, investigators located Travis Bell on State Road 37 north of Washboard Road in Lawrence County and initiated a traffic stop. During an interview, Bell admitted to using P2P networks. Initially denying that he used it at work, Bell later stated that he would bring his personal computer to work and connect to the business’s WiFi to update STEAM games, unknowingly allowing Shareaza to start and share files automatically.
When asked about the location of his child sexual abuse material, Bell directed officers to a blue hard drive in his bag in his car, stating it contained around 200 illegal files. Forensic examiners confirmed the presence of the files. Descriptions of several files include over three hours of videos with children from toddlers to 12 years old engaging in various sexual acts.
Following the discovery of these files, Travis Bell was arrested.
Additionally, during the execution of a search warrant at Bell’s residence on Huron Railroad Street in Mitchell. Indiana State Police Trooper Chance Humphrey located a glass mirror with a crystal meth on it, a clear plastic bag with crystal meth residue, items of drug paraphernalia and burnt hand-rolled marijuana cigarettes.
Travis Bell was transported to the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department.
All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. This article is based on the information provided in the Probable Cause Affidavit and does not represent a final determination of guilt or innocence.
