Police: More victims possible after Connersville photographer arrest

Authorities urge potential victims to call

(CONNERSVILLE, Ind.) – Law enforcement officials are providing more details about the investigation that led to the arrest of a Connersville photographer.

22-year-old Mikell Shepard has been federally charged with three counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Child and one county of Possession of Child Pornography. 

The investigation began last week after federal officials received a report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The report included findings submitted by Google. 

Police say Google flagged more than 400 files allegedly showing minors engaged in sexual acts, as well as over 1,000 files depicting the lascivious exhibition of the genitals of minors.

Shepard was arrested during a police raid in Connersville on Friday. 

“Investigators discovered sexually explicit images and videos of minors allegedly produced by Shepard in both professional and personal settings, including while babysitting. These images reportedly include both female and male children, as young as 9 months old,” according to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of Indiana.

Shepard is the owner of a few photography companies and his professional account states that he “works well with families, children, and infants.”

Authorities say Shepard has also been known to babysit several children, and has photographed kids at a daycare, skating rink, and a gymnastics center in or near Connersville. Investigators believe there may be additional victims.

Shepard will be transported from the Fayette County Jail and into federal custody during the case.

If you believe a child may have been victimized by Shepard, please contact Fayette County/Connersville Police non-emergency dispatch at (765) 825-2111.