Daniel Willis is a 62-year-old senior pastor at Free Life Community Church in Terre Haute, Indiana, who was arrested on August 31, 2026, after an Indiana State Police investigation into suspected child sexual abuse material. Investigators say the case began with multiple CyberTipline reports and led to search warrants at Willis’ home and church. Police say electronic devices seized during the searches contained child sexual abuse material involving children under 12 and bondage. Willis faces 10 Level 4 felony counts of possession of child sexual abuse material.
Daniel Willis Arrest
Willis Was Arrested On August 31, 2026. Indiana State Police took Willis into custody after executing search warrants connected to an investigation that began earlier in the year. [WRTV] [WTHI]
Willis Was Arrested Without Incident. Police said he was taken into custody following the searches and transported to the Vigo County Jail. [WRTV]
Vigo County Booking Records Identify Willis As 62 Years Old. Public booking information lists his arrest date as August 31. [Vigo County Booking Record]
Ten Felony Charges
Willis Faces 10 Counts Of Possession Of Child Sexual Abuse Material. Indiana State Police said each count is filed as a Level 4 felony. [WRTV] [WIBC]
Police Say The Material Involved Children Under 12. Authorities described the charged material as involving victims younger than 12. [WTHI]
The Charges Also Reference Bondage. Police described the counts as possession of child sexual abuse material involving children under 12 and bondage. [WRTV]
Investigation Began With CyberTips
The Investigation Began In Early 2026. Indiana State Police said Detective Robert Whyte opened the case after investigators received multiple reports concerning suspected online child exploitation. [WIBC]
The National Center For Missing And Exploited Children Sent CyberTipline Reports. Police said NCMEC provided multiple tips that helped trigger the investigation. [WRTV]
A Second Private Company Also Provided Information. Indiana State Police said investigators received additional tips from another company that was not publicly identified. [WTHI]
Search Of Willis’ Home And Church
Investigators Obtained Search Warrants For Willis’ Residence And Workplace. Police searched both locations after identifying Willis during the investigation. [WRTV]
Willis’ Workplace Was Free Life Community Church. Reporting based on the Indiana State Police release identifies Willis as the senior pastor at Free Life Community Church. [WTWO/WAWV via AOL]
Police Seized Multiple Electronic And Digital Media Devices. The devices were taken for forensic examination during the execution of the search warrants. [WIBC]
Digital Forensic Examination
Police Say Forensic Examiners Found Child Sexual Abuse Files. Investigators said examination of the seized electronics located material that formed the basis of the criminal charges. [WRTV]
Indiana State Police Digital Forensics Specialists Participated In The Search. The investigative team included members of the ISP Digital Forensics Unit. [WIBC]
Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force
The Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Participated In The Investigation. The task force coordinated the operation involving multiple law-enforcement agencies. [WRTV]
Terre Haute Police Detectives Assisted State Police. Local officers participated in the searches and investigation. [WIBC]
Homeland Security Investigations Agents Also Participated. Special agents from the Department of Homeland Security were part of the task force operation. [WRTV]
Daniel Willis At Free Life Community Church
Willis Serves As Senior Pastor Of Free Life Community Church. Police searched the church as Willis’ place of employment while executing the warrants. [WTWO/WAWV via AOL]
Willis Has Also Been Publicly Identified As Rev. Dr. Dan Willis. Earlier community notices associated him with Free Life Community Church and identified him using that title. [Community Record]
Authorities Have Not Publicly Alleged That The Charged Material Was Produced At The Church. Current reporting says the church was searched because it was Willis’ workplace, while the criminal charges concern possession of child sexual abuse material discovered during the broader digital investigation. [WRTV]
Case Status
Willis Is Being Held In Connection With 10 Level 4 Felony Charges. The charges remain pending following his August 31 arrest. [WTHI]
No Trial Or Final Disposition Has Been Reported. As of September 1, 2026, Willis has been arrested and charged but has not been convicted.
The Investigation Remains At An Early Stage. Public reporting has not yet disclosed a detailed probable-cause affidavit, plea, scheduled trial date, or final court outcome.
The Charges Are Allegations. Willis is accused of possessing child sexual abuse material, but the allegations have not yet been proven in court.
One of the first political bloggers in the world, Oliver Willis has operated OliverWillis.com since 2000. Contributor at Media Matters for America and The American Independent. Follow on Twitter at @owillis. Full bio.