On September 7, 2026, a Kokomo Police Department patrol officer spoke with a complainant regarding activity involving child sexual abuse material and the possibility of child sex trafficking. The investigation was subsequently transferred to the KPD Digital Crimes Unit.
The complainant consented to a forensic examination of her cellular phone, which was conducted at the Tippecanoe County High Tech Crime Unit at her request. A digital forensics examiner located and recovered relevant text messages and images from the device. The digital evidence was later transferred to Kokomo Police Department detectives.
During the investigation, 45-year-old Steven James Reed of Kokomo was identified as a suspect. According to police, Reed is a registered sex offender and has been involved in previous child sex offenses.
Police said the investigation revealed that Reed had distributed child sexual abuse material to the complainant through text messages. Reed also allegedly offered the complainant $4,000 to engage in sexual encounters with him and a 13-year-old female. Police said Reed further offered a younger female child to the complainant.
On September 14, officers and investigators with the Kokomo Police Department, Howard County Sheriff’s Office and Indiana State Police executed court-authorized activity at a residence in the 800 block of N. Webster Street. Reed was located at the residence.
During the search, digital devices were recovered and later examined by forensic personnel at the Kokomo Police Department. Police said child sexual abuse material was recovered from the devices.
During an interview with detectives, Reed reportedly described the communications as a “fantasy.” Police said Reed admitted to seeking illicit material involving young girls and sending the material to the complainant.
Detectives are working with the Indiana State Police and Indiana Department of Child Services to determine whether any real children were involved.
Reed was arrested and transported to the Howard County Criminal Justice Center.
Reed has been charged with:
- One count of Conspiracy to Commit Child Sex Trafficking, a Level 2 felony
- One count of Distribution of Child Sexual Abuse Material, a Level 3 felony
- One count of Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material, a Level 4 felony
- One count of Making an Unlawful Proposition, a Class A misdemeanor
All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Detective Sergeant Drew J. Wallsmith #389 at 765-456-7388 or by email at dwallsmith@cityofkokomo.org.
Anonymous tips may also be submitted to Central Indiana Crime Stoppers at 1-800-262-TIPS. Tips can also be submitted through the KPD Tip411 app.
The KPD Digital Crimes Unit encourages citizens to report information regarding child exploitation, solicitation and enticement crimes involving children to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children through the CyberTipLine at report.cybertip.org or by calling 1-800-THE-LOST.