Pornography found at the Elkhart County 4-H Fair

GOSHEN, Ind. – The disturbing actions of a 54-year-old man at the Elkhart County 4-H Fair are being investigated by police.

The Elkhart County Sheriff’s Department reported Friday a suspicious man taking pictures of young girls Wednesday night at the fair. When police began investigating the man they found pornography of young girls in the man’s car.

According to police the incident happened around 9:30 p.m. Wednesday night at The Saddle Club on the fairgrounds. Several people witnessed the man taking several photos of the juvenile participants.

The Saddle Club is a club for horseback riders to perform and show horses. The club is 95% female and the majorities of participants are juveniles.

“It’s disgusting,” said Amanda Boals, a mother of two children at the fair Friday. “I think someone like that shouldn’t be allowed in here.”

 “I obviously think it’s very inappropriate,” said 24-year-old Lisa Oisch, a 10-year participant in the Saddle Club. “That would make me uneasy for those girls in that situation.”

Police have not arrested the man but Elkhart County 4-H officials kicked him off the fairgrounds Wednesday and will no longer allow him access.

“It should be illegal to take pictures like that,” Boals said of the man’s actions.

“Is this material illegal that we have?” said Captain Jim Bradberry with the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Department when asked to explain why the man was not arrested Wednesday.

Bradberry explained that while the man’s actions may have appeared immoral and inappropriate, criminal law must be proven without a reasonable doubt. Taking pictures within the public domain is not illegal and having porn one’s car is also not illegal.

Bradberry said investigators are looking into the evidence to see if charges are appropriate. “We want to make sure we do the right job to make sure we do the investigation thoroughly to press the right charges that need to be prosecuted.”

Oisch is feeling sorry for the girls who now need to ride after the incident. “That would just make me feel uneasy that I couldn’t be out there riding without feeling violated,” she said.

Neither the Saddle Club nor the Elkhart County 4-H Fair would comment on the situation.

Police would not release the man's name.