Indiana University Student Arrested in Multi-State Child Exploitation Investigation

20-year-old Ashwin Vishwanath Veerappan faces multiple felony charges for distribution of child sexual abuse material.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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A 20-year-old Indiana University student has been arrested and charged with three counts of child exploitation following a monthslong investigation into the distribution of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) across digital platforms. The investigation began in Minnesota and traced the suspect's digital footprint back to the IU campus network in Bloomington, Indiana.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat the exploitation of minors through digital platforms and the serious legal consequences for those involved in the distribution of CSAM. It also raises concerns about the prevalence of such crimes on college campuses and the need for robust cybersecurity measures to protect vulnerable populations.

The details

According to court documents, the investigation began in April 2025 when a Minnesota detective posing as an undercover user on the messaging app Kik was contacted by a user named 'AshVpn' who actively sought to trade explicit material involving children. The detective was able to trace the user's IP address back to the Indiana University network, prompting the case to be forwarded to the IU Police Department. Further investigation revealed that the 'AshVpn' account had uploaded more than two dozen suspicious files, leading to a warrant being served on Verizon which confirmed Veerappan's identity through a New Jersey billing address and phone number.

  • The investigation began in April 2025 when a Minnesota detective was contacted by the 'AshVpn' user.
  • In February 2026, a warrant served to Verizon revealed Veerappan's New Jersey billing address and phone number.
  • On February 13, 2026, detectives observed Veerappan leaving a campus classroom and followed him to an apartment complex in Bloomington.
  • Veerappan was taken into custody on February 22, 2026.

The players

Ashwin Vishwanath Veerappan

A 20-year-old Indiana University student who was arrested and charged with three counts of child exploitation following a monthslong investigation into the distribution of child sexual abuse material.

Owatonna Police Department

A Minnesota police department whose detective maintains an undercover presence on apps used to distribute illicit material and initiated the investigation.

Indiana University Police Department (IUPD)

The police department that took over the investigation after the Minnesota detective traced the suspect's IP address to the Indiana University network.

Indiana Crimes Against Children Task Force

A task force that received information from Kik's parent company about the 'AshVpn' account uploading suspicious files, which helped further the investigation.

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What they’re saying

“We must remain vigilant in our efforts to protect vulnerable children from exploitation and hold those responsible accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”

— Chief Michael Diekhoff, Bloomington Police Department

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on March 5, 2026 whether to grant bail for Ashwin Vishwanath Veerappan.

The takeaway

This case highlights the critical need for ongoing collaboration between law enforcement agencies, technology companies, and academic institutions to combat the growing threat of child exploitation online and protect vulnerable populations, especially on college campuses.