COLUMBUS — The Bartholomew County Internet Crimes Against Children (BCICAC) Task Force is introducing its newest four-legged team member to the community: a specialized police dog trained to sniff out hidden digital evidence.
Rico, a golden lab mix, will serve as an Electronic Storage Detection (ESD) K9. He has been officially partnered with Detective Jarod Aspenson of the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office. The duo recently returned to the community after completing rigorous, specialized training at Jordan Detection K9 in Indianapolis.
As technology has evolved, the challenge of recovering critical data during criminal investigations has intensified. Suspects frequently hide incriminating evidence on micro-SD cards, external hard drives, USB thumb drives, or tablets, which are often small enough to be tucked away in microscopic hiding spots that human investigators might miss during an initial sweep.
To counter this problem, Rico’s specialized nose is trained to home in on a unique chemical compound commonly found in the industrial adhesives used to assemble electronic storage devices. During search warrants, the task force plans to use Rico to conduct meticulous secondary sweeps of target locations to locate well-hidden digital media. This evidence is frequently vital in tracking down and securing convictions related to Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM).
“The addition of Rico significantly strengthens our ability to locate concealed electronic devices that may contain critical evidence in these investigations,” the Bartholomew County Prosecutor’s Office stated in an official release. “Rico and his handler, Detective Jarod Aspenson, provide a valuable resource that enhances our efforts to combat child exploitation and protect the most vulnerable members of our community.”
Rico’s duties will extend beyond active crime scenes and search warrants. Officials announced that the golden lab mix will carry a dual designation, pulling double duty as a certified comfort animal. Rico will be present to offer emotional support and reassurance to young trauma survivors during high-stress encounters, including investigative interviews and formal court proceedings.
The implementation of the new ESD K9 project was made possible through a strategic funding partnership with Our Rescue, a global nonprofit organization actively dedicated to eradicating child exploitation and human trafficking.
While stationed locally, Rico and Detective Aspenson will operate as a regional asset, deploying to assist neighboring law enforcement agencies with specialized investigations and search warrants throughout south-central Indiana.
The BCICAC Task Force operates as a combined, multi-jurisdictional unit consisting of investigators from the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office, the Columbus Police Department, and the Bartholomew County Prosecutor’s Office. The collaborative group works to investigate internet-facilitated crimes, arrest offenders who utilize digital tools to target minors, and proactively prevent child exploitation through public awareness.
