An Elkhart man has been sentenced to 12 years in prison and 18 years suspended after pleading guilty in a child exploitation case.

Ryan M. Stigner, 34, pleaded guilty in June to two Level 4 felony counts of child exploitation and one Level 5 felony count following an investigation by the Elkhart Police Department’s Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

Prosecutors originally filed 13 child exploitation charges against Stigner in November 2025. The charges alleged he possessed and distributed child sexual abuse material.

An Elkhart County judicial officer sentenced Stigner in August to 12 years in the Indiana Department of Correction on one count. He also received 18 years suspended on the remaining counts, to be served consecutively, followed by 10 years of reporting probation.