An 18-year-old from Silver Lake is facing charges after allegedly sending an obscene video to an underage girl.
Austin Sherburne is also accused of fraudulently representing himself as someone who serves in the military.
Authorities were searching Sherburne’s cell phone with his consent over allegations that the teen was trying to arrange a drug deal. During their search they found text messages from January between Sherburne and a girl who said she is 14.
Court documents say Sherburne sent the girl a sexual video of himself in an attempt to get her to send nude photos in return. He allegedly admitted to officers that he is attracted to “younger women”.
The conversation found by police also showed Sherburne claiming to be part of an Army Infantry.
He faces a felony charge of vicarious sexual gratification for the video and a misdemeanor charge of stolen valor for the false claims of being in the military.
He’s being held at the Kosciusko County Jail on a $10,000 bond.
