IMPD Sergeant Charged For Possession & Distribution Child Pornography

Tuesday, October 15, 2024, 2:00 P.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News, 

INDIANAPOLIS, IN.- Last week, a Federal Grand Jury for the District of Indiana returned a six-count indictment charging an Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Sergeant, Javed Richards, 42, with five counts of Distribution of Child Pornography; and one count of Possession of Child Pornography.

     According to U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Myers, on Thursday, October 10, 2024, Richards appeared in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana and entered a not-guilty plea to the charges unsealed in the indictment. Following the unsealing of the indictment, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department suspended Richards pending a recommendation of termination to the Indianapolis Civilian Review Board.

According To Charging Information

     According to charging information unsealed in the indictment, on July 14, 2024, Richards allegedly distributed at least five video digital files depicting children under the age of twelve engaged in sexually explicit conduct to other individuals utilizing the online messaging application “Kik.” 

     Richards is further charged in the indictment with possessing numerous digital video files of child sexual abuse material on his iCloud account.

     The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Indiana Crimes Against Children Task Force investigated the case with the cooperation of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.

     Richards, if convicted at trial, faces a maximum of 20 years in Federal Prison, to be followed by up to five years of supervised release.

“The rules of the court require us to include a statement that states: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations, and the defendant and or defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.”