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Petersburg Man Charged with Multiple Counts of Child Pornography
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Petersburg Man Charged with Multiple Counts of Child Pornography

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A Petersburg man is facing multiple felony charges following an investigation into alleged child pornography. The Pike County Prosecutor’s Office says 52-year-old Jason W. Potts has been charged with five counts of possession of child pornography, all Level 5 felonies. Prosecutors have also filed an allegation that Potts is a repeat sexual offender. The charges stem from a forensic examination of a cellphone seized during a prior arrest in April. Investigators say five videos were discovered on the device, allegedly depicting the sexual abuse of children under the age of 12. Authorities say the files were uploaded on different dates between December 2025 and April 2026, leading to separate charges. Officials also allege Potts has a prior conviction for a sex-related offense, which could result in additional penalties if proven. Potts is currently being held at the Pike County Security Center. The investigation was conducted by the Petersburg Police Department with assistance from the Knox County High Tech Crime Unit. Authorities emphasize that all charges are allegations and Potts is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

 

Full News Release

 

May 12, 2026
Re: Jason W. Potts, 52, of Petersburg Charged with Five Counts of Possession of Child Pornography; Alleged Repeat Sexual Offender
PETERSBURG, IN – The Office of the Pike County Prosecuting Attorney announces that on May 11, 2026, the State of Indiana filed five (5) counts of Possession of Child Pornography against Jason W. Potts, 52, of Petersburg, Indiana, each a Level 5 Felony. The State has also filed an allegation that Potts is a Repeat Sexual Offender pursuant to I.C. 35-50-2-14.
The charges arise from the forensic examination of a cellular telephone seized from Potts during a prior arrest in April for Child Solicitation. According to a probable cause affidavit, Sergeant Paul Collier of the Petersburg Police Department submitted two cellular telephones belonging to Potts to the Knox County High Tech Crime Unit for forensic analysis. Collier further reported to the Court that investigators identified five videos on one of the devices allegedly depicting the sexual abuse of prepubescent children who appear to be under twelve (12) years of age. One of the five videos additionally was alleged to depict sexual conduct involving a child and a dog. The forensic analysis verified that the videos were uploaded to Potts’s device on separate dates between December 2025 and April 2026, establishing each as a separate incident.
Four of the five counts are charged under I.C. 35-42-4-4(d)(1)(F), which elevates the offense to a Level 5 Felony when the depicted child is less than twelve (12) years of age. The fifth count is charged under statute specifically addressing bestiality, which elevates the offense to a Level 5 Felony when proven beyond reasonable doubt. A Level 5 Felony is punishable by between one (1) and six (6) years imprisonment and up to a $10,000 fine.
The State has additionally alleged that Potts is a Repeat Sexual Offender under I.C. 35-50-2-14, based upon a prior conviction in Pike Circuit Court for Vicarious Sexual Gratification, I.C. 35-42-4-5(a)(1), a Level 4 Felony, for which Potts was sentenced to the Indiana Department of Correction in 2022. If found to be a Repeat Sexual Offender, the Court may impose an additional fixed term of imprisonment of up to three (3) years.
Potts is currently being held at the Pike County Security Center. The investigation was conducted by Sergeant Paul Collier of the Petersburg Police Department, with forensic analysis provided by the Knox County High Tech Crime Unit.
The Pike County Prosecutor’s Office recognizes Sergeant Collier and the Knox County High Tech Crime Unit for their outstanding work in this case!
The Office of the Pike County Prosecutor advises that under our Constitution, all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law and, until such time, all charges are merely allegations and should be considered as such.
Auth: 5/12/26
Darrin E. McDonald
Prosecuting Attorney
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