FBI Raids Home of Former Indiana GOP US Senate Candidate John Rust’s Campaign Manager David Finkel in Child Pornography Investigation

Former Indiana GOP U.S. Senate Candidate John Rust’s Campaign Manager David Finkel house raided for child porn.

SHELBYVILLE, IN — On Thursday morning, FBI agents executed a search warrant at the home of David Finkel, a prominent local figure who served as campaign manager for John Rust’s unsuccessful 2024 U.S. Senate campaign. The raid, conducted at a residence in the 200 block of West Broadway Street in Shelbyville, Indiana, is part of an ongoing federal investigation into child pornography, according to sources close to the matter.

Finkel, who has not been charged with any crime and was not taken into custody, is the vice president of the Shelbyville Central Schools Board and the director of the Strand Theatre, a historic local venue. Federal agents were observed at the scene for several hours, removing totes from the property, though the specific contents of these containers remain undisclosed.

Federal Election Commission (FEC) records indicate that John Rust’s campaign paid Finkel $53,387.41 for his services during Rust’s failed bid for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate in 2024. Rust, an Indiana businessman, lost the primary to Rep. Jim Banks, who went on to win the general election. Attempts to reach Rust for comment on the raid and Finkel’s involvement in his campaign have so far been unsuccessful.

The investigation comes amid a broader wave of FBI operations targeting child sexual exploitation. Just weeks ago, the FBI’s Operation Restore Justice resulted in the arrest of 205 suspected child sex offenders nationwide, including individuals in positions of public trust. While there is no indication that Finkel’s case is directly connected to this operation, the timing underscores the agency’s intensified focus on such crimes.

Finkel’s roles in the Shelbyville community have placed him in the public eye. As vice president of the Shelbyville Central Schools Board, he helps oversee educational policies affecting local students. His leadership at the Strand Theatre has also made him a key figure in preserving and promoting cultural activities in the area. The allegations tied to the FBI raid have sent shockwaves through the community, though authorities have not released further details about the investigation.

The FBI has urged the public to report any information related to child exploitation to local law enforcement, the FBI’s tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI, or online at tips.fbi.gov. As the investigation unfolds, questions remain about its potential impact on Finkel’s professional roles and the broader Shelbyville community.

This is a developing story, and further updates will be provided as new information becomes available.