Knox County High Tech Crime Unit

04/13/2026

The internet isn’t always a safe place for kids.

See how Vincennes Community School Corporation Police Department is fighting back—and why education at home is more important than ever.

Watch the full segment now on the Vincennes PBS YouTube Channel. Link in comments.

03/18/2026

Among those arrested included an Indianapolis-based lawyer and multiple others with histories involving child s*x crimes.

During the sting, prosecutors say police rescued an infant from s*xual abuse.

DETAILS:🔗https://tinyurl.com/mw2jjnt9

03/16/2026

SCAM ALERT

Another scam going around. Please remember that law enforcement or the courts will NEVER call you or Text you like this. All court paperwork is always delivered by sheriff service or regular mail. Never by text message. If you get a text message or a phone call demanding money, please ignore the call and mark the text message as spam.

03/13/2026

🚨 CRYPTOCURRENCY KIOSKS BANNED IN INDIANA 🚨

On March 9, 2026, House Bill 1116 was signed into law by Governor Mike Braun as an emergency measure, meaning the law went into effect immediately upon passage. The new law prohibits the operation of virtual currency kiosks (commonly called Bitcoin or cryptocurrency ATMs) anywhere in the State of Indiana.

Since the law went into effect, Grant County Sheriff’s Office deputies have visited several locations across the county and confirmed that machines have already been turned off or removed. This marks an important step forward in protecting our citizens from fraud.

Unfortunately, these machines have had a devastating impact on victims not only across the country, but right here in our community. Over the past several years, hundreds of thousands of dollars have been lost in Grant County alone through scams where criminals instructed victims to deposit money into cryptocurrency kiosks.

These scams often involve criminals impersonating law enforcement, government officials, banks, or technology companies, convincing victims they must urgently move money to a “secure account.” Once funds are deposited into a crypto kiosk, the money is nearly impossible to recover.

Indiana is now the first state in the nation to enact a full statewide ban on cryptocurrency kiosks, an important victory for fraud prevention and consumer protection.

We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to Indiana State Representative Lori Goss-Reaves and Indiana State Senator Nick McKinley for their support and leadership on this issue. Their work helped ensure stronger protections for Indiana families and communities.

Sheriff Del Garcia shared the following statement:

“For years, criminals have used cryptocurrency kiosks as a tool to steal life savings from hardworking people in our communities. We have seen firsthand the devastating impact these scams have had on victims here in Grant County. House Bill 1116 sends a clear message that Indiana will not tolerate criminals exploiting new technology to prey on our citizens. This law is a major step forward in the fight against fraud and in keeping our communities safe.”

If you believe you are being targeted by a scam, contact law enforcement immediately.

Together, we will continue working to protect the citizens of Grant County and hold criminals accountable. 🚔💪

03/05/2026

CAPTURED:

Mark Alan James Poenitski
Warrick county Probation Violation warrant for:

CRIMINAL RECKLESSNESS- Use When Committed With A Deadly Weapon.
CARRYING A HANDGUN WITHOUT A LICENSED
DISORDERLY CONDUCT- Engage In Fighting Or Tumultuous Conduct
CARRYING A HANDGUN WITHOUT A LICENSE- Def Has A Prior Felony Conviction W/In Last 15 Years.

Poenitski is out on bond from the chase from Vanderburgh County on February 23, 2026.

02/23/2026

Had a great time speaking to the Criminal Justice and Computer Science students today today. Thanks for the opportunity to share what we do and talk about law enforcement careers with digital forensics.

02/12/2026

02/10/2026

Demo time! Got to show my skills for the class today 🥰🦮📱

02/10/2026

Having an awesome time today in Toledo, Ohio meeting lots of new friends and talking about animals in their working environments and the careers that are available !

12/12/2025

Proabale Cause Affidavit in reference to Child Seduction Case Princeton High School.
All 4 pages of Affidavit in comments section below. Detevtive Nick Hatfield ISP
On 12/ 5/ 2025 Sgt. Chandler and I conducted an interview with Victim # 1. This interview was
conducted since further information had been gathered through the investigation and phone
forensics. During this interview Victim # 1 did not know the dates but stated that his relationship
with Lienemann started about mid- way through football season. Victim # 1 stated he and
Lienemann got along well. It started when she hugged him. He stated then it escalated to kissing
open mouth with tongue). Victim # 1 stated at one point in her classroom they were kissing and
Lienemann gave him oral s*x. Victim # 1 did not know the date this occurred. Victim # 1 stated
they had s*x in the classroom two times. He stated the first time it happened was when
Lienemann put the scratches on his back. Through investigation we determined this day to be
10/ 23/ 2025. Victim # 1 stated Lienemann took the picture of his back to show him. Victim # 1
stated the second time they had s*x he believed it was the day student J. was knocking on the
door and Lienemann later told her she had left early. Through investigation that day is known as
being 10/ 27/ 2025. Victim # 1 stated the s*xual encounters all happened at school in Lienemann' s
classroom.
Further affiant says that defendant is:
Mariah Rose Lienemann
F/ W/ 5' 02"/ Hz1Brn

12/08/2025

IMPORTANT UPDATE: Mia was located yesterday, December 16, in Tampa, FL. She is safe. No further information will be released.

Indiana State Police Seeking Public’s
Assistance in Locating Missing Female Juvenile

Juvenile may be in the Indianapolis or Sullivan County Area

Indiana State Police are seeking the public’s assistance in locating a missing juvenile from Florida that is considered to be in danger. Indiana State Police received information that the missing juvenile,
Important UPDATE: Mia was located yesterday, December 16, in Tampa, FL. She is safe. No further information will be released.

Mia Renee Cooksey, 13, has recently been seen in the Indianapolis area around Harding Street. Cooksey also has family and friends that reside in the Sullivan County area. She's been missing since November 9th.

Anyone with information on Mia Renee Cooksey’s whereabouts is encouraged to contact Indiana State Police in Evansville at 812-867-2079 or 1-800-852-3970. She has been reported missing and has been entered into the Indiana Missing Children’s Clearing House and into the National Crime Information Center.

Missing Juvenile’s Description:

• White female
• Age 13
• 5’4” tall
• Appr. 190 lbs.
• Last seen with pink shoulder length hair
• Brown eyes