One arrested for child exploitation

Police arrested a Wabash Valley man Tuesday on allegations he traded sexually explicit photos with a 14-year-old girl, then used the photos to blackmail the girl.

Tyler Wilkinson, 19, faces a preliminary charge of child exploitation.

The girl told police that she met Wilkinson online and that he asked her to send him nude photographs. Police reported finding nude photos of both Wilkinson and the girl on the alleged victim’s iPad.

The girl also told authorities that she met Wilkinson for sex after Wilkinson threatened to share the nude photographs. She also told police that she initially misrepresented her age online but later told Wilkinson her true age.

When questioned by police, Wilkinson reportedly told police that he believed the girl was 16, but he added that the girl did not volunteer her age.

Wilkinson is being held in the Vigo County Jail on a $50,000 cash bond.