Teacher charged with possession of child pornography and child exploitation

Kokomo, Indiana: A kindergarten teacher at Elwood Haynes Elementary School in Kokomo has been arrested and charged with four counts of child exploitation and nine counts of possession of child pornography.

49-year-old Brian Lee Jakes was placed on leave following his arrest on Friday, April 23.

In February a tip was received by local law enforcement from the National Center for Missing and Exploited children. Before long, the Kokomo Police Department were also working with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, the Winnebago Sheriff's Office out of Wisconsin, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Investigators obtained and executed a search warrant for Jakes' residence on April 13 which resulted in the seizure of several electronic devices. After that search, investigators identified Jakes as their suspect, believing there was no reason to suspect any of the other residents in the home.

The following day Jakes was reported as missing to the KPD.

On April 15 deputies with the Howard County Sheriff's Office located Jakes on what was described as farm property suffering from self-inflicted injuries. At that time he was transported to a hospital in Indianapolis for further treatment and evaluation.

On April 23, the same day that Jakes was to be medically discharged from the hospital, investigators obtained a warrant for his arrest. Once discharged, he was taken into custody and booked into the Howard County Jail where he remains in lieu of $20,000 cash bond.

At this time, investigators do not believe that any of the images found involve local children.

The matter remains under investigation and anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Austin Bailey at (765) 456-7280 or by email at abailey@cityofkokomo.org.