CULVER — In April of 2025, the Culver Police Department began investigating a possible invasion of privacy after receiving
reports of alleged communication between an adult woman and a juvenile man. A witness reported ongoing electronic messaging contact between Shannan Hoffmann, 38, and a 15-year-old minor, despite a valid protective order prohibiting communication between them.
An initial investigation took place, and evidence was gathered to support the allegations of ongoing electronic messaging communications, some inappropriate, including messages being sexual in nature and nude photographs. A follow-up interview was conducted with the minor and his parents, with a subsequent forensic interview being conducted.
Search warrants were sought for the minor’s electronic device and involved social media accounts for both, which were later analyzed with the assistance of the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department.
Hoffmann was later interviewed regarding her alleged involvement, and a search warrant was obtained for her electronic device, which was later examined with the assistance of the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department.
The investigation included interview statements and examination of data from the search warrants, and a probable cause affidavit was filed with the Marshall Superior Court, resulting in an arrest warrant for Hoffman on charges of child exploitation, child solicitation, possession of child pornography, dissemination of matter harmful to a minor, and invasion of privacy.
Hoffman, who now resides in Winamac, was arrested on Aug. 23, 2026, at 4:15 p.m. when she was located in a vehicle in the area of SR 10 and SR 17 in Culver. She was taken to the Marshall County Jail.
Suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
