NWI Predator Catchers Report Leads To Child Solicitation Charge In Starke County
Gavyn Bunch, 23, of North Judson, is facing a child solicitation charge after members of a civilian group known as NWI Predator Catchers reported arranging an online meet-up with a man they say believed he was communicating with a 13-year-old girl, according to court documents filed in Starke Circuit Court. Court records state no actual child was involved in the incident.
According to the probable cause affidavit, at approximately 1:20 a.m. on Nov. 23, 2025, county dispatch advised an officer that callers associated with a group “who catches child predators” had arranged to meet a person who believed he was meeting a 13-year-old girl at the North Judson Town Park on South George Street. The affidavit states the individual believed he was communicating online with a juvenile, but the person was not an actual child.
Upon arrival at the park, the officer spoke with members of the group, who stated they belong to a group named NWI Predator Catchers and were supposed to meet with a 23-year-old male using the name “Carter,” who either lived in North Judson or Valparaiso. The affidavit states the group had been communicating with “Carter” through text messages and Snapchat.
According to the affidavit, during those conversations, “Carter” texted about having sexual intercourse with what he believed to be a 13-year-old girl. The officer advised the group he would stand by on the opposite side of the park on Garfield Street and asked to be contacted once the male arrived so police could make contact.
Court records state the officer waited approximately ten minutes but did not receive a call. Dispatch later advised attempts to contact the complainants were unsuccessful. As the officer attempted to approach the wooded area south of the park near the baseball field, group members reported the male had arrived, briefly spoke with them, and then left on foot through the wooded area after seeing police headlights and becoming scared. The officer searched the surrounding area but was unable to locate the male.
According to the affidavit, later that night a video approximately 15 minutes long showing the encounter was posted to the NWI Predator Catchers Facebook page. The affidavit states the video primarily consisted of group members attempting to make the male comfortable enough to admit he was there to meet someone he believed was a 13-year-old girl for sex. During the video, the male repeatedly said he was sorry, begged to be let go, said he “just wanted to hang out with someone because he is lonely,” and stated he “would never do anything like this again.” The affidavit states the male was told he was not being detained and was free to leave.
Investigators state that shortly after the video was posted, commenters identified the male as Gavyn A. Bunch. A records check through county dispatch confirmed his identity.
Later on Nov. 23, 2025, a friend of Bunch contacted county dispatch and reported that Bunch had called him and said he felt “his life is over now that the video was public,” and that he was no longer in North Judson but staying at his grandmother’s house, possibly in Valparaiso. According to the affidavit, the friend said Bunch did not state he was meeting a child for sex but did say he had been talking to a girl he believed was “14 or 15 years old,” though he was unsure of her age. The friend also reported Bunch said that after running into the woods, he hid for some time until his girlfriend picked him up.
The affidavit states investigators later received screenshots and videos of online conversations from the group. Some messages were related to travel locations, while others were described in the affidavit as clear that Bunch was attempting to request and entice the person he believed to be a “13-year-old female” for sex.
The incident occurred in Starke County, according to court records.
Lodged in the Porter County Jail on December 16,2025.
Charge filed December 11,2025
• Child Solicitation – Solicitation Is for Intercourse; Defendant 18 or Older and Victim Under 14
Level 5 Felony
