Local 'Internet Crimes Against Children Indiana Task Force' arrests 5 suspects

COLUMBUS, Ind. – Five men were arrested during a sting operation targeting online child sex offenders. Led by the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, the operation involved federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies working undercover to intercept predators seeking unlawful contact with minors.

Bartholomew County Prosecutor Lindsey Holden said, “The agencies involved in this operation are very committed to keeping our kids safer in a world where technology can make them more vulnerable.” Investigators used several social media platforms to intercept the suspects.

“These five individuals traveled over 400 miles total, believing they were going to have sex with minors in Columbus,” said Bartholomew County Sheriff Chris Lane. “We will continue to work to capture offenders against children and hold them accountable.”

The Indiana ICAC Task Force led the investigation, and the Bartholomew County Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force hosted it.

The agencies assisting included:  

• Indiana State Police
• Bartholomew County Prosecutor’s Office
• Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office
• Columbus Police Department
• U.S. Department of Homeland Security
• Bloomington Police Department
• Jennings County Sheriff’s Office
• Howard County Sheriff’s Office
• Clinton County Sheriff’s Office
• Jeffersonville Police Department

Those arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Taken into custody were;

• Matthew Ciske, 48, of Richmond - Child Solicitation (Level 4 felony) and Attempted Sexual Misconduct with a Minor (Level 4 felony)
• Andrew Donat, 59, of Indianapolis-Child Solicitation (Level 4 felony) and Attempted Sexual Misconduct with a Minor (Level 4 felony)
• David Hahn, 48, of Mt. Washington, Kentucky-Child Solicitation (Level 4 felony) and Attempted Sexual Misconduct with a Minor (Level 4 felony)
• Luis Ernesto Nunez Machuca, 37, of Streamwood, Illinois-Child Solicitation (Level 4 felony) and Attempted Sexual Misconduct with a Minor (Level 4 felony)
• Nathan Jones, 49, of Thorntown, Indiana-Child Solicitation (Level 4 felony), Possession of Meth (Level 6 felony), and Possession of Marijuana and Paraphernalia (Misdemeanors)