A Columbus man was arrested on child exploitation charges following a search warrant at a Bartholomew County residence.

The investigation by Indiana State Police-Versailles Post, began in August 2022 after a cybertip was received from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. After a nearly ten-month investigation, investigators executed a search warrant at a residence on Poshard Drive in Columbus.

During the execution of the search warrant, additional evidence was collected which led to the arrest of Joshua J. Johnson, 29, of Columbus. He was taken into custody and incarcerated at the Bartholomew County Jail on preliminary charges of Child Exploitation-Dissemination of Child Pornography, Level 5 Felony and Child Exploitation-Possession of Child Pornography, Level 6 Felony.

The investigation is ongoing with additional charges being possible.