WANATAH, Ind. – A member of the U.S. Navy based in Jacksonville, Florida was arrested Monday and charged in connection to a Wanatah resident accused of molesting a child.
The man, 26-year-old Ryan Schroeder of Valparaiso, was charged with aiding in child molestation, aiding in child exploitation, and possession of child pornography among other charges. In all, he has 23 felony charges against him: 5 Class A felonies, 8 Class C felonies and 10 Class D felonies.
Police say 21-year-old Tara Tryon of Wanatah was arrested on October 27 on 20 Class B felony counts of child molestation.
“Schroeder, a former boyfriend of Tryon, allegedly asked Tryon to do the molestation and also received photos of the child molestation on his cellphone,” according to an Indiana State Police spokesperson. “Schroeder was not in the military during this time.”
The investigation began when LaPorte County police and state officials received a tip that a three-year-old was being molested. Police say they were able to determine the alleged crime happened in Porter County.
