MUNCIE, Ind. — A Muncie man previously convicted of possessing child porn allegedly told police officers that he is addicted to pornographic images of children and went straight back to downloading the illegal material after being released from prison in 2023.
William D. Basler, 36, was arrested at his apartment on Centennial Avenue on Monday after police reportedly found more than 20 images of child porn on his cell phone.
According to court documents, an acquaintance of Basler's saw the pornographic images on the man's phone prompting them to call the police and report the illegal material. Police searched Basler's phone and reportedly observed 20+ images of child porn that showed both actual children and illustrations of children.
Basler was previously arrested on child porn charges in May 2021 and convicted in January 2022. After serving a stint in prison, Basler was released from incarceration on July 29, 2023, according to police.
Basler told police he didn't refrain from his old, illicit habits for long, however, and went straight back to downloading child porn.
Balser reportedly told police he found child pornography "intriguing" and admitted to being addicted.
Basler was still on probation at the time of his arrest.
Basler was arrested on 20 preliminary counts of possession of child pornography. Final charges will be decided by the Delaware County Prosecutor's Office.