Logansport man arrested during sex crimes sting in Shelby County

A Logansport man was recently arrested in part of a child sex crime sting operation conducted earlier this month in Shelby County. 

According to court documents John Altman, 27, of Logansport has been charged with child molesting, a Level 1 Felony; and and child solicitation, a Level 4 Felony. 

According to the Shelby County Prosecutor’s Office, the operation was conducted between March 10 and 12. The operation involved undercover officers posing as minors online, with most of the suspects traveling to Shelbyville on promises of sexual activity with a minor. 

More than 75 police officers from various local, state and federal jurisdictions took part in the sting and arrested 11 people total, who now are facing charges ranging from child molestation and child solicitation, to conspiracy to commit sexual misconduct with a minor and dealing in methamphetamine. 

Court documents reveal Altman had been using Reddit, an online platform to chat with others. Under the user name 'Smooth Truck,' Altman had allegedly made an advertisement on the INDIANAMEETUP thread that included a photo of a man's genitals. An undercover officer reportedly responded to the ad, posing as a 13-year-old from Indianapolis. 

When Altman and the decoy first began engaging in conversation it was casual, with the conversation including hobbies and school. Once the conversation progressed, however, it turned to a sexual nature, with Altman allegedly telling the decoy he would like to meet up with the teen to have sex. It was noted the decoy reiterated to Altman that they were a 13-year-old, but that he continued to speak sexually, stating his desires for the teen. The two then scheduled a meet up at a Shelbyville home, where Altman met authorities and was taken into custody. 

After a search of Altman's phone, officers discovered the chat thread between him and the decoy. After he was arrested Altman allegedly admitted to talking with the undercover officer. When confronted about the sexual content in the conversations Altman told investigators that he didn’t think he would have gone through with the sexual acts. During the interview Altman also admitted to having a prior conviction regarding obscene contact online with a minor in Tennessee. He also admitted to being a part of a child pornography trading group on Telegram, where he provided photos of an infant family member that he sent to users. 

During the interview Altman agreed to a polygraph test where he further admitted that he molested the infant while he took the photos. 

Altman had an initial hearing on March 16, in Shelby County. His next court date filed, so far, is a final pre trial hearing that's scheduled for July 2.