A 46-year-old Union Mills man has been arrested on 26 felony counts following a two-month investigation by the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

The investigation began after the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children received a report from Snapchat in May concerning suspected child sexual abuse material. The information was forwarded to the Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

LaPorte County ICAC detectives were assigned the case in July. Investigators worked to identify the person associated with the reported online activity and gathered additional evidence before establishing probable cause for an arrest.

On Tuesday, Oct. 6, deputies with the U.S. Marshals Service Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force arrested 46-year-old Paul R. Fasshauer on County Road 600 West near County Road 1000 South.

Fasshauer faces 26 counts of child exploitation, all Level 4 felonies.

Following the arrest, detectives with the Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division executed a search warrant at Fasshauer’s nearby residence.

The investigation involved the Indiana ICAC Task Force, a nationwide network of law enforcement agencies that investigates technology-facilitated crimes involving children, including the possession, distribution and production of child sexual abuse material and online enticement.

The Sheriff’s Office credited ICAC Detectives Alex Pishkur and Derrick Deck for their work on the investigation. The U.S. Marshals Service, Homeland Security Investigations, Indiana State Police and Michigan City Police Department also assisted with the investigation.

The Sheriff’s Office is reminding parents and guardians to remain involved in their children’s online activities, discuss internet safety and report suspicious or inappropriate online conduct involving minors.