Three Terre Haute Ministers Face Sex Crime Charges
Authorities in Vigo County arrested three local religious leaders on child sex offense charges over the last two years.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Sex Crimes
Between April 2024 and August 2026, law enforcement arrested three ministers in Vigo County on various child sex offense charges. The cases involve allegations of child exploitation, sexual misconduct with a minor, and possession of child sex abuse material.
Why it matters
These arrests highlight ongoing concerns regarding child safety and the use of digital platforms to facilitate abuse. The cases also underscore the recent implementation of stricter state laws designed to increase penalties for child sex abuse material offenses.
Curtiss Davis was arrested in April 2024, followed by the arrests of Tracy Hamilton and Dan Willis in the summer of 2026. Trials for Hamilton and Willis are currently scheduled for November and December 2026, respectively.
The players
Curtiss Davis
He is a 49-year-old minister who was arrested on charges of child exploitation and dissemination of child pornography.
Tracy Hamilton
The 62-year-old former senior pastor at 8th Avenue Baptist Church was arrested for sexual misconduct with a minor.
Dan Willis
The 62-year-old served for 30 years as the senior pastor at Free Life Community Church before his arrest for possession of child sex abuse material.
The details
Detectives identified the suspects after receiving tips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, which monitors web activity and social media. The investigations indicate that offenders are increasingly utilizing artificial intelligence and internet platforms to facilitate these crimes.
Timeline
Curtiss Davis was arrested in April 2024.
Tracy Hamilton was arrested in July 2026.
Dan Willis was arrested in August 2026.
Tracy Hamilton is scheduled for trial in November 2026.
Dan Willis is scheduled for trial in December 2026.
Legal Context
These arrests occur as Indiana implements new laws as of July 2026 to increase penalties for child sex abuse material offenses. The cases reflect a broader trend of enhanced state prosecution strategies aimed at crimes facilitated by modern digital platforms.
These developments may lead to increased security and vetting protocols for religious institutions across the local area. Residents are encouraged to report suspicious digital activity to local authorities as monitoring by agencies continues.
The takeaway
These cases underscore the critical importance of digital safety monitoring for all community organizations. Families and organizations should remain vigilant regarding online interactions to help identify and report potential exploitation early.
Further reading
For more information on legal proceedings, see Terre Haute Sex Crimes.
