FAYETTE COUNTY, Ind. -- A local and federal investigation into child sex crimes has led to the arrest of a photographer based in Connersville, who admitted to using his business to gain access to children.

According to court documents, Mikkel Shepard has been preliminarily charged with Child Molesting (Level 1 Felony), four counts of Child Exploitation (Level 4, Level 5 felonies) and Possession of Child Pornography (Level 5 Felony).

Investigation, arrest

Police launched an investigation on Oct. 23 following a tip that was filed with the Indiana State Police Internet Crimes Against Children task force. The tip was one of 15 total cyber tips that investigators determined were linked to Shepard.

The tip claimed Shepard had child sex abuse material in his possession and that he could be se

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