BEDFORD – A Bedford man is behind bars on felony charges after police found him with child sexual abuse material.
Paul Brown, 66, Bedford, is facing three counts of possession of child pornography of a child less than 12 years old, a Level 4 felony, and two counts of child exploration of a child less than 12 years old, a Level 5 felony.
On Wednesday, June 5, 2024, Trooper Cory Knight, who has specialized training in internet child sexual abuse material, received two National Center for Missing and Exploited Children cyber tips regarding
possession of child sexual abuse material. The social media application Snapchat provided both tips. Snapchat advised that on February 22, a person uploaded the photos to their social media platform. Snapchat identified the account username as “aussiegoldsmith” and that account was registered to Paul Brown.
Indiana State Police Detective Robert Whyte with the Internet Crimes Against Children Unit obtained a search warrant for Brown’s Google and Snapchat accounts and Brown’s phone records. Police found searches for child sexual abuse material.
Police found more than 23 files of child sexual abuse material involving children ages 4 to 9.
On Tuesday, August 20, police served a search warrant at Brown’s home on M Street. He refused to speak to officers.
Police forwarded the information to the Lawrence County Prosecutor’s Office, and a warrant was issued for Brown’s arrest. He was detained on Wednesday, December 12.
