Man gets 119 years after being convicted of child molesting, child exploitation

INDIANAPOLIS — An Indy man has been sentenced to over 100 years in prison after being convicted of multiple felonies related to child sex crimes.

The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office announced Friday that Aaron Fowler, 49, received a 119-year prison sentence following the conclusion of a jury trial earlier this month in Marion Superior Court 32.

He was convicted in June of the following charges:

• Three counts of Child Molesting (Level 1 Felony)
• Four counts of Sexual Misconduct with a Minor (Level 4 Felony)
• Child Exploitation (Level 5 Felony)
• Unlawful possession of a Firearm by a Serious Violent Felon (Level 4 Felony)
• 10 counts of Possession of Child Pornography (Level 6 Felony)
• Two counts of Child Solicitation (Level 5 Felony)
• Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor (Level 6 Felony)
• Obstruction of Justice (Level 6, Level 5 felonies)

According to court documents, an investigation was launched on Jan. 14, 2024, when an officer with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department responded to a residence on St. Peter Street to conduct a child molesting investigation.

Throughout their investigation, police uncovered evidence that Fowler had sex with and inappropriately touched an underage victim. The victim disclosed during a set of forensic interviews that Fowler had sexually abused them on multiple occasions beginning in January 2024. Court documents show that Fowler provided them with multiple cell phones for communication and marijuana on several occasions.

Fowler also requested nude photos and videos from the victim on several occasions, court documents said.

On Jan. 17, 2024, detectives were granted search warrants to look at Fowler’s apartment and obtained multiple cell phones, computers and other evidence containing child pornography. Police also reported finding a black Smith and Wesson 9mm handgun that was confirmed to be stolen.

While searching his apartment, detectives also discovered a lock box on the floor between a dresser and a TV stand containing a silver Cobra handgun, four boxes of bullets, a 34-round capacity extended magazine and a holster.

Police apprehended Fowler on Jan. 19, 2024, with assistance from SWAT and brought him in for questioning at the Sex Crimes Office. Before the interview began, officers reportedly observed Fowler standing in a corner of the room and urinating. During the interview, police said Fowler refused to allow detectives to take his DNA with a buccal swab despite them having an approved warrant.