Zachary Thomas Banaszak, 26, of Hammond, is accused of possessing child sexual abuse material following an investigation by the FBI and the Hammond Police Department.

Court records allege the investigation began after the FBI received information involving attempted Cash App payments in October 2025 that investigators believed were connected to a website allegedly facilitating the sale of child sexual abuse material. The transactions were reportedly blocked.

According to court documents, investigators identified the account as belonging to Banaszak. On June 29, 2026, FBI agents and Hammond police detectives contacted him at his residence, where investigators allege he consented to an interview and a search of his iPhone.

Court records state Banaszak admitted accessing the website known as “Docs Playhouse” and told investigators he had viewed child sexual abuse material on the site, including what he believed was a 6-year-old child. Investigators allege a forensic examination of his cellphone later uncovered multiple images and videos depicting child sexual abuse material involving infants, toddlers, prepubescent children, and pubescent (teenage) children, as well as evidence the material had been accessed through Telegram during late June 2026.

Police allege Banaszak later admitted he had viewed child sexual abuse material through Telegram as recently as June 27, 2026, and told investigators he accessed such material approximately once a week. According to court documents, he also described Telegram group chats where users allegedly offered additional images in exchange for Cash App payments.

Lodged in the Lake County Jail.

Charges filed July 21, 2026:

Possession of Child Sex Abuse Material with an Aggravating Factor — Level 5 Felony (2 counts)

Possession of Child Sex Abuse Material — Level 6 Felony (8 counts)