Lebanon High School senior faces felony charges, accused of online conspiracy

LEBANON, Ind. (WISH) — An 18-year-old senior at Lebanon High School faces multiple felony charges, including conspiracy to commit rape and child exploitation, after authorities discovered a plot to target local female students online, according to authorities.

Joel M. Salinas was charged in Boone County on Feb. 24 following an investigation into the distribution of sensitive images and personal information. The information is based on court documents that the Boone County Clerk’s Office shared with News 8 on Monday.

News 8 reached out to the Boone County jail, but its personnel said by phone they were uncertain if they could release Salinas’ jail booking photo. Online court records show he left jail Feb. 26 after a cash bond was entered in the clerk’s office. His bond had been set Feb. 25 at just under $5,000 in Boone Superior Court 2.

The investigation began after the Lebanon School Corp. Police Department received an anonymous tip on Feb. 21 regarding the harassment of high school students. The report alleged that a suspect was posting sensitive content and home addresses of female students on encrypted platforms and social media. The Boone County Child Abuse and Sexual Exploitation Task Force subsequently linked the activity to Salinas through internet protocol addresses and school records.

Detective Sgt. Thomas Beard of the Zionsville Police Department, a member of the task force...