06/05/2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TELL CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT
June 4, 2026
Tell City Police Department Executes Search Warrants; Multiple Felony Charges Requested
A Perry County man was taken into custody following the ex*****on of search warrants related to an investigation involving the alleged exploitation of a juvenile female.
The investigation began after an out-of-state law enforcement agency contacted local authorities regarding allegations that a 16-year-old female had been contacted through social media by an individual believed to reside in Tell City, Indiana. Through a series of subpoenas and investigative efforts, authorities identified the suspect as Dalton Schilling, 26, of Tell City.
Investigators allege that Schilling used social media and electronic messaging platforms to communicate with the juvenile and repeatedly solicited explicit images from her. Authorities further allege that those images were subsequently distributed to others without the juvenile's consent.
On June 4, 2026, the Tell City Police Department obtained and executed search warrants at a residence in the 1100 block of 11th Street. During the ex*****on of the warrants, officers observed suspected controlled substances, drug-related evidence, and other preliminary evidence relevant to the ongoing investigation.
The investigation remains active and involved cooperation between the Tell City Police Department, the Perry County Sheriff's Office, the Cookeville,TN Police Department, and the Perry County Prosecutor's Office.
Based upon evidence obtained during the investigation, probable cause has been submitted alleging the following offenses:
-Dealing in a Controlled Substance (Level 2 Felony)
-Promotion of Child S*x Trafficking (Level 3 Felony)
-Dealing in Ma*****na (Level 5 Felony)
-Child Exploitation (Level 5 Felony)
-Dissemination of Matter Harmful to Minors (Level 6 Felony)
-Distribution of an Intimate Image (Class A Misdemeanor)
-Intimidation (Class A Misdemeanor)
-Possession of a Controlled Substance (Class A Misdemeanor)
-Possession of Ma*****na (Class B Misdemeanor)
-Possession of Paraphernalia (Class C Misdemeanor)
*The purpose of this press release is to inform the public of law enforcement activity. Information contained herein should not be used to determine innocence or guilt. All persons named are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Additional information may be released as the investigation and court proceedings progress.