John Michael Betts, 45, of Valparaiso, was sentenced October 23rd in Porter Superior Court after pleading guilty to child exploitation and child solicitation.

According to the charging affidavit, police were contacted on November 8, 2024, after the girl’s stepfather found inappropriate text messages between Betts and the 14-year-old. The affidavit says their messages became sexual in nature between Oct. 28 and Nov. 8. The girl told investigators they had communicated by text and had never met in person.

The affidavit alleges Betts requested sexually explicit photos, told the girl to delete their messages, and sent her a nude photo. Betts later acknowledged communicating with her, requesting and receiving nude photos, and sending her a nude photo. He told investigators he believed she was 15.

The court found Betts guilty of the offenses listed below and imposed concurrent four-year sentences, with three years suspended to formal probation. He is to serve one year in the Porter County Jail. The order states that the first year of the suspended sentence is to be served on home detention as a condition of probation. Betts also must register as a sex offender, participate in Project Pro, and follow a no-contact order throughout his sentence.

Charges Betts Was Sentenced For:

Child exploitation, Level 5 felony

Child solicitation, Level 5 felony