By Jordan Ellis
July 24, 2026
TOPEKA, Kan. — The state criminal case against a Topeka man accused of child sex crimes has been dismissed after federal authorities adopted the prosecution, according to a recent order filed in Shawnee County District Court.
Charles Karlton Van Camp, 26, was originally charged in Shawnee County with 12 felony counts stemming from an investigation conducted by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation’s Child Victims Unit. The investigation began after the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received a cyber tip that was referred to Kansas authorities.
Court records now show the Shawnee County case has been dismissed without prejudice because the United States Government has adopted the prosecution.
The court order states:
“The basis for this dismissal is: the United States Government has adopted the prosecution of this case.”
The order further directs that the case be dismissed without prejudice and that any outstanding state warrants associated with the case be recalled.
A dismissal without prejudice does not constitute a finding of innocence or mean the allegations have been dropped permanently. Instead, it allows prosecutors to refile the state charges if circumstances warrant. In this instance, the dismissal reflects that federal prosecutors have assumed responsibility for pursuing the case.
Federal adoption of child exploitation investigations is not uncommon, particularly when allegations involve internet-based offenses or evidence crossing state lines. Federal prosecutors often pursue such cases under statutes carrying significant penalties.
Van Camp was arrested in February 2026 following the KBI investigation and had been held in the Shawnee County Jail on a $1 million bond while the state case proceeded.
At this time, federal charging documents detailing the specific allegations or counts being pursued have not yet been made publicly available.
This is a developing story, and additional information will be published as federal court records become available.
