Federal charges filed in Indiana child molestation case

MARTIN COUNTY, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — An investigation into an alleged child molestation in Martin County has resulted in a Sullivan County woman, who has already been charged with two counts of child exploitation, being taken into federal custody and facing more charges.

In May, the Martin County Sheriff’s Office began an investigation into 24-year-old Patrick Cox, of Washington, and 18-year-old Neveah Brown, of Loogootee.

The sheriff’s office said the investigation began after they received reports of an alleged molestation of a child.

After multiple interviews with Cox and Brown, the Martin County Sheriff’s Office said “Cox ultimately confessed to a number of crimes.”

A search of Cox’s phone also revealed “several images of suspected child pornography,” along with evidence of additional crimes, victims and another suspect of a separate crime, said the sheriff’s office.

The sheriff’s office said they also located evidence of communication with Maire Austin, 28, of Sullivan, on Cox’s phone.

Back in August, Austin was arrested on two counts of child exploitation.

Indiana State Police said they initiated a criminal investigation on Austin in July, 2025, after receiving information from the Martin County Sheriff’s Office that a minor female had been sexually exploited

Austin had allegedly been engaging in sexual exploitation of a minor.

Cox and Brown were taken into custody after arrest warrants were issued in Martin County.

On October 8, Cox and Austin were transported to federal prison to await trial.

All three individuals have been charged with a number of sex crimes. Cox and Austin also face both state and federal charges.

Patrick Cox has been charged with:

• State charges:
  • Child molesting
  • Conspiracy to commit child molesting
  • Conspiracy to commit rape
  • Three counts of rape
  • Promotion of sexual trafficking of a younger child
  • Vicarious sexual gratification
  • 19 charges child exploitation; possession of child abuse material
  • Sexual misconduct with a minor
  • Child solicitation
  • Sexual battery
  • Failure to register as a sex offender
• Federal charges:
  • Conspiracy to commit sexual exploitation of a minor
  • Three counts of sexual exploitation of a minor
  • Possession of child pornography
  • Penalties for registered sex offender

Neveah Brown has been charged with:

• State charges:
  • Aiding in child molesting
  • Conspiracy to commit child molesting
  • Aiding in rape
  • Conspiracy to commit rape
  • Aiding in vicarious sexual gratification
  • Promotion of sexual trafficking of a younger child
  • Aiding in sexual misconduct with a minor
  • Aiding in child solicitation
  • Criminal confinement
  • Aiding in sexual battery
  • Obstruction of justice

Austin still faces the two counts of child exploitation in Sullivan County, but now faces federal charges of conspiracy to commit sexual exploitation of a minor, three counts of sexual exploitation of a minor and distribution of child pornography.

Austin’s case has also been referred to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for further investigation, according to the sheriff’s office.

The Martin County Sheriff’s Office added that “this is an ongoing joint investigation with the Martin County Sheriff’s Office, the Indiana State Police, and the Federal Bureau of Investigations. We suspect to file more charges on additional suspects as it relates to this case as the investigation proceeds.”