WABASH – A four-month investigation by the Indiana State Police Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force has led to the arrest of a Wabash man on child solicitation charges.
Investigators initiated a criminal investigation in April 2025 after receiving a complaint alleging an individual was using an online account to contact minors. Following the comprehensive inquiry, the Wabash County Prosecutor’s Office issued a search warrant for a residence belonging to Ethan Cornett, 24, of Wabash.
On Friday, July 18, 2025, members of the Indiana State Police ICAC Task Force, the ISP Peru Post, and the Wabash County Sheriff’s Office executed the search warrant. Authorities seized multiple electronic devices from the residence. Cornett was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Wabash County Sheriff’s Office.
Cornett faces preliminary charges of:
- Child Solicitation – Level 5 felony (IC 35-42-4-6)
- Inappropriate Communication with a Child – Class A misdemeanor (IC 35-42-4-13)
This remains an active and ongoing investigation, with ICAC detectives continuing to examine all seized electronic devices. No further information is available at this time.
The Indiana ICAC is a multi-agency task force, led by the Indiana State Police, dedicated to investigating and prosecuting individuals who use the internet to exploit or entice children sexually. The task force urges Hoosiers to report online exploitation, solicitation, and enticement crimes against children to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). For crimes involving a child as a victim that utilize the internet or electronic means, contact your local Indiana law enforcement agency. For more information on the Indiana ICAC’s efforts, visit https://internetcrimesagainstkids.com.
Under the law, criminal charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
