MARION, IN – This morning a criminal investigation by officers from the Indiana State Police resulted in the arrest of Austin Brankle, 28, Marion, IN. Brankle was incarcerated in the Grant County Jail to face 10 level five felony charges for possession of child pornography.
Indiana State Police Senior Trooper Adam York and Indiana State Police Detective Mike Lorona initiated a criminal investigation after receiving a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that Brankle might have multiple nude images of children. During the investigation, officers developed probable cause to obtain a Grant Superior Court II search warrant for Brankle’ s home at 3368 North Marksara Drive, Marion, IN. During their search, and forensic examination of Brankle’ s telecommunication devices, officers allegedly found numerous images of child pornography.
If the public has information about exploited children, they are asked to report it by calling the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOSS. (843-5677).