Jasper police make molestation/exploitation arrest

Jasper Police arrested an 18-year-old for numerous preliminary felony counts involving molestation, exploitation, battery, intimidation and possession of child pornography.

Police opened an investigation into Denis Clark-Espinal of Jasper after receiving a tip that he had been in an inappropriate relationship with a female juvenile.

After investigating the tip, detectives with the Jasper Police Department determined facts and evidence that supported the information from the initial tip, police said.

After multiple executed search warrants, detectives further discovered that Mr. Clark had been involved with several inappropriate relationships with other female juveniles and was requesting inappropriate images from them.  Detectives identified and made contact with four other female juvenile victims, according to police.

Mr. Clark was interviewed and was subsequently arrested on two counts of Level 3 child molestation; four Level 3 felony counts of attempted child molestation; eight counts of Level 5 felony child exploitation; eight level 6 felony counts of possession of child pornography; three counts of Level 6 felony battery; and two counts of Class A misdemeanor intimidation.

Mr. Clark was transported and lodged in the Dubois County Security Center