PORTLAND, Ind. (2-16-23) — Brenton Blake Witt Jr., (19) Portland, was charged Monday in Jay Circuit Court with child exploitation, a Level 4 felony carrying up to 12 years in prison.

Witt believed that he was communicating with a 13-year-old girl when he was actually exchanging Facebook messages with an undercover deputy.

He was arrested on January 30th after he came to a Portland convenience store, where he allegedly had planned to pick up the juvenile.

Witt was released after he posted bond at the Jay County Jail and is scheduled to appear at an initial hearing on February 21st.

On Tuesday a second man Erik E. Caffey (41) was charged in Jay Circuit Court, with possession of child pornography, which is a Level 4 felony with a maximum six-year sentnece.

On February 4th a search warrant was served at Caffey’s rural Redkey home and his cellphone was taken by police.

The phone had “numerous images and videos of what appeared to be child pornography.” The photos and videos reportedly showed juveniles between the ages of 2 and 16 engaging in sexual activity, in some cases with adults.

Caffey was released after posting bond at the jail and appeared at an initial court hearing on Tuesday.