Kokomo man arrested after police find 20,000 images of child sex abuse material

KOKOMO, Ind. (WISH) — After an eight-month investigation, a Kokomo man has been arrested and charged with five counts of possession of child sex abuse material, each a low-level felony.

In June, Howard County Sheriff’s Office received a CyberTip Report, generated by Microsoft, from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The tip included online files of child exploitation.

Police said Tuesday they determined 67-year-old Lyle Sanders of Kokomo was the user uploading the files.

On Feb. 5 police searched Sanders home in the 200 block of Lody Lane, right off West Scaymore Street, where they found 20,000 images of child sex abuse material on one device.

Indiana State Police arrested 499 people for crimes against children in 2025 and rescued 126 children from ongoing abuse. 

Help is available for victims of domestic violence, child abuse, and sexual assault. Below is a list of suggested resources, both national and local:

• National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233 or text START to 88788
• National Domestic Violence Hotline en español: 800-799-7233 o texto “START” al 88788
• Indiana C...