Valparaiso Man With Prior Child Molestation Conviction Charged Again With Child Pornography
Valparaiso- A 41-year-old man identified as Michael Fleener has been charged with five counts of child pornography and a Repeat Sexual Offender enhancement.
According to charging documents, Fleener is accused of knowingly or intentionally possessing or viewing multiple digitized images depicting sexual conduct by a child who was under the age of 18 or appeared to be under the age of 18.
The charges allege that Fleener possessed separate images on October 9, October 31, November 8, December 13, and December 27, 2024, all located within Porter County. Each count identifies a different digital file recovered by investigators, each depicting or describing sexual conduct involving a minor .
In addition to the five felony counts, prosecutors filed a Repeat Sexual Offender enhancement, citing Fleener’s January 20, 2004 conviction for Attempted Child Molestation (Class B Felony) in Jennings County, Indiana (Cause No. 40C01-0307-FB-155) . The enhancement alleges Fleener qualifies for increased penalties under Indiana Code 35-50-2-8 because of his prior unrelated sex offense conviction .
Charges filed October 30, 2025:
• Child Pornography – Level 5 Felony (Five Counts)
• Repeat Sexual Offender Enhancement
