Connersville photographer arrested on child-related charges

(CONNERSVILLE, Ind.) – A Connersville photographer is facing multiple charges related to child crimes. 

22-year-old Mikell Shepard was arrested on Friday as part of a federal and local investigation. 

He has been charged with four counts of Child Exploitation, one count of Child Molesting and one count of Possession of Child Pornography. 

According to his Facebook page, Shepard specializes in taking portraits and headshots. 

“I am extremely patient and work well with families, children, infants, special needs,” the Facebook page reads

Shepard allegedly had over 1,700 images and videos that depicted child sexual abuse that were found by detectives. 

Connersville Police issued a statement following the police raid on Reid Street on Friday. 

“We understand the fear that parents have who have been associated with the subject and are working as quickly as we can to establish a system to obtain information and identify any and all children involved,” Connersville Police said. 

The police department is expected to provide an avenue for potential victims to give information to authorities in the coming days.