DATE: 09-18-2026
SUBJECT: VCSO Arrests Evansville Man for Child Pornography
RELEASE NUMBER: 2026-NR-09018
CONTACT: Lt. Doug Daza
AUTHORITY: Sheriff Noah Robinson
The Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office has arrested an Evansville man on multiple counts of Possession of Child Pornography. Wendell Tobias Cook was arrested today following an investigation that resulted from a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). Detectives with the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office are part of the Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
The tip indicated that internet files believed to contain Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) had been uploaded from an email address in our jurisdiction. A review of the files by detectives revealed that they were, in fact, child pornography involving adults and children. The subsequent investigation led to the identification of Cook as the account holder for the email address.
On September 17, detectives went to Cook’s residence. A conversation with Cook led to the issuance of a search warrant for the residence. Several devices and a phone were seized. An analysis of the devices by the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office Digital Forensics Lab led to the discovery of hundreds of pornographic images. While each image will have to be analyzed separately, most appear to be CSAM involving prepubescent children and, in many instances, adults engaging in sexual behavior. The CSAM also included images of child celebrities’ faces superimposed on the bodies of real children.
Today, Cook was arrested at his residence and taken to the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office. He was interviewed by detectives and confessed to knowingly downloading child pornography. He also admitted to having inappropriate sexual fantasies involving girls between the ages of ten and fourteen. Detectives also located several life-size silicone torsos depicting young children that Cook admitted to possessing and using in connection with those fantasies.
Cook was arrested and charged with ten counts of Possession of Child Pornography, all Level 4 Felonies. He will be held without bond until he makes an appearance in court.
Arrested:
Wendell Tobias Cook, 66, Evansville
Charges:
Possession of Child Pornography, Level 4 Felony, 10 Counts
Presumption of Innocence Notice: The fact that a person has been arrested or charged with a crime is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.
-END-