4 Indiana men arrested in nationwide FBI operation targeting alleged child sex predators

(WXIN/WTTV): Four Indiana men have been arrested as part of a nationwide FBI effort to find and charge individuals accused of sexually abusing children.




According to a news release shared by the United States Attorney's Office Southern District of Indiana, law enforcement agencies across the country collaborated as part of Operation Restore Justice to "identify, track and arrest child sex predators."




The release said the operation led to the rescue of 115 children. Additionally, a total of 205 individuals were arrested on various charges related to child sex crimes, according to the release.




The initiative involved active partnerships with FBI field offices from across the country, the FBI's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section and United States Attorney's Offices in multiple states.




Operation Restore Justice concluded with four Hoosiers being arrested and preliminarily charged with federal crimes. This includes the following individuals:

• 33-year-old Raymond Lapensee Jr. of Evansville: Three counts of possession of sexually explicit material involving minors





• 29-year-old James Collet Jr. of New Albany: Four counts of sexual exploitation of a child, two counts of possession of child pornography





• 35-year-old Eric Dickens of Columbus: Possession of child pornography





• 45-year-old Beau Thornburgh of Lebanon: Possession of child pornography

The release noted that Thornburgh was already a convicted sex offender in the state of Indiana. FOX59/CBS4 previously reported on Eric Dicken when he was arrested in August 2024 for allegedly having child pornography in his possession. He was also charged with child solicitation in that case.




The other 201 individuals who were arrested nationwide are accused of producing and possessing child pornography, online enticement and child sex trafficking.




"Children are the foundation of our communities. It is not their burden to protect themselves; it is our absolute responsibility as adults to shield them from the egregious predators charged today," said John E. Childress, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. "I commend the exceptional and tireless work of our law enforcement partners and AUSAs Tiffany Preston, Carolyn Haney, Samantha Spiro and Jeremy Kemper, who are doing their part to execute Operation Restore Justice." 




Many of these cases were highlighted through Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide effort to address child sexual exploitation and abuse. It has been operating since 2006.




"Behind every arrest during Operation Restore Justice was a child who was being exploited - who was suffering in silence," said FBI Indianapolis Acting Special Agent in Charge Dominique Evans. "These crimes are both heartbreaking and deeply disturbing and the FBI remains committed to identifying and investigating these cases and ensuring those who responsible for such heinous acts are held accountable. Our hope is that these children now have a chance to heal and to rebuild their lives in safety, free from fear and surrounded by the care and support they need."





via: https://fox59.com/news/4-indiana-men-arrested-in-nationwide-fbi-operation-targeting-alleged-child-sex-predators/