Terre Haute pastor arrested for possession of child sex abuse material

TERRE HAUTE (WRTV) — A Terre Haute pastor is behind bars after Indiana State Police arrested him on 10 felony counts of possessing child sex abuse material.

Daniel Willis, a 62-year-old man from Terre Haute, was arrested on Monday, Aug. 31.

According to ISP, detectives opened the investigation in early 2026 following tips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and a second unnamed company.

After Willis was identified, detectives were granted a search warrant of his home and church, where he serves as Senior Pastor.

Several agencies, including ICAC Task Force, ISP’s forensics unit, Terre Haute Police Department, and special agents from the Department of Homeland Security joined the search.

Investigators found electronic and digital devices containing evidence of child sex abuse files, police said. Willis was arrested and transported to Vigo County Jail.

He faces 10 counts of possession of child sex abuse material including children under the age of 12 and bondage. These are level 4 felonies.

The Indiana ICAC Task Force, overseen by Indiana State Police, investigates and prosecutes people who use the internet to exploit or entice children sexually.

ICAC encourages Hoosiers to report online exploitation, solicitation, and enticement-type crimes against children to NCMEC. The NCMEC website can be accessed through the ICAC Task Force website.