Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Investigation Leads To Arrest Of Columbia City Man

Nicholas Egner

WHITLEY COUNTY – Indiana State Police, Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC), initiated a criminal investigation after receiving a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) that an online account had been used for child exploitation.

The investigation revealed the owner of the online account allegedly to be Nicholas Egner, 31, Columbia City. After reviewing the results of the investigation, the Whitley County Prosecutor’s office issued a warrant for Egner’s arrest, according to a news release from Indiana State Police Fort Wayne District.

On Saturday, officers with the Columbia City Police Department located Egner at his Old Trail Road residence and arrested him without incident.

He is charged with sexual misconduct with a minor, Level 4 felony (five counts total).

He was transported to the Whitley County Jail and held pending his initial appearance in the Whitley County courts.