Cayuga man sentenced child porn, child seduction, and sexual battery charges

Tuesday, June 30, 2026 at 1:46 PM

By Staff report

The Indiana State Police Putnamville Post announces that Zachary McBride has been convicted and sentenced in Vermillion County Circuit Court.

The investigation, which began after the reported offenses on August 1, 2023, resulted in multiple charges including possession of child pornography, child seduction, and sexual battery.
Sergeant Michael Featherling’s diligent investigative work was instrumental in bringing this case to a successful conclusion. The Putnamville Post Commander Lieutenant David Cox, commended the efforts of all involved, including the Vermillion County Prosecutor’s Office and the Vermillion Circuit Court.
McBride was sentenced on June 25, to a total of 5,105 days (11.5 years) in the Indiana Department of Correction, with all sentences to be served consecutively or concurrently as determined by the court.

Original news release

The Indiana State Police initiated a criminal investigation of a Cayuga man, after receiving information concerning allegations of child seduction and sexual battery with a minor.
The investigation revealed that Zachary T. McBride, 36, of Cayuga, had allegedly engaged in communicating with a minor and provided funds and grocery items to receive child pornography from that minor. These allegations took place in Vermillion County.
After a lengthy criminal investigation and conducting digital forensics, the Vermillion County Circuit Court issued an arrest warrant on December 2, 2025, for McBride. The Vermillion County Sheriff’s Department arrested McBride on the active warrant on December 5, 2025. McBride was taken into custody without incident and is currently being held without bond in the Vermillion County Jail.
Indiana State Police Master Sergeant Michael Featherling was assisted by Susie’s Place, Vermillion County Sheriff’s Department and the Vermillion County Prosecutor’s Office.
McBride faces the following charges:
Possession of Child Pornography (Aggravating Factor Found), Level 5 Felony
Possession of Child Pornography (2 counts), Level 6 Felony
Child Seduction, Felony 6
Sexual Battery (Victim Compelled to Submit by For Imminent Threat), Level 6 Felony