A Burns Harbor man was arrested Wednesday on three charges of possession of child pornography after a collaborative investigation between local and Illinois authorities, according to police.
Timothy John Olson, 36, is being held in the Porter County Jail. He was scheduled for his initial hearing Thursday in Porter County Superior Court 5.
The investigation of Olson began with the Lake County (Illinois) State’s Attorney’s office in 2024, after multiple cyber tips were passed along by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, according to a release from the Indiana State Police Lowell Post.
The activities were found on several Kik Messenger accounts that Olson participated in, police said.
When the investigation revealed that Olson lived in Burns Harbor, the case was transferred to the Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children Unit.
Multiple search warrants and subpoenas were issued as the investigation progressed, including one executed in February 2025, when multiple electronic devices were seized from Olson.
A forensic examination later conducted by the Indiana State Police Digital Forensics Unit revealed files containing child sexual abuse materials, police said.
Olson was taken into custody Wednesday morning during a traffic stop and transported to the Porter County Jail. Olson is charged with two Level 5 felony counts of possession of child pornography, alleged to have occurred on Feb. 6. He is also charged with the additional Level 6 felony of possession of child pornography, alleged on Sept. 21, 2024.
Jim Woods is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.