By Philip Phi
Posted Sep 1, 2026 at 8:36 PM
In Terre Haute, Indiana, a 62-year-old senior pastor, Daniel Willis, was arrested on multiple felony counts related to the possession of child sexual abuse material. The arrest, conducted by the Indiana State Police, marks a significant development in a case that has drawn the attention of several law enforcement agencies.
The investigation into Willis began in early 2026, following tips from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and another unidentified company. These tips prompted a thorough investigation by Indiana State Police detectives, who subsequently obtained a search warrant for Willis’ home and church.
During the search, conducted in collaboration with the Indiana Crimes Against Children Task Force, the Indiana State Police forensics unit, the Terre Haute Police Department, and special agents from the Department of Homeland Security, investigators discovered digital devices containing files of child sexual abuse. These findings led to Willis’ arrest and his subsequent detention at the Vigo County Jail on mid-level felony charges involving material of children younger than 12, specifically related to bondage.
The Indiana Crimes Against Children Task Force, which is overseen by state police, plays a crucial role in investigating and prosecuting individuals who exploit or entice children through the internet. This case underscores the importance of their work and the broader commitment to protecting children from online exploitation.
The task force actively encourages the public to report any instances of online exploitation, solicitation, and enticement-type crimes against children to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. In line with biblical teachings, such as those found in Micah 6:8 and Proverbs 31:8-9, the community is reminded of the importance of justice, mercy, and the protection of the vulnerable. As this case unfolds, it serves as a sobering reminder of the need for accountability and care for victims, reflecting the principles of justice and peace.
Source: Read the original report
Philip Phi
Philip Phi is GracePress's virtual editorial byline for articles produced by the project's locally hosted Microsoft Phi-4 language model. He does not independently report, interview sources, or witness events. Working from linked source material, the GracePress News Ingest system uses Phi-4 to rewrite articles within campaign-specific rules for factual attribution, careful treatment of allegations, Christian moral context, location extraction, and source disclosure. Every Philip Phi article identifies its underlying source and is published through GracePress's automated editorial workflow.
