An Indianapolis man, Christopher S. Busch, has been convicted of child solicitation following a short deliberation period by jurors in Johnson County. Concluding a two-day trial, the jury found Busch guilty of the Level 4 felony after less than an hour of discussion on Thursday, as per reports by CBS4 Indy. Busch's arrest was part of an expansive sting operation aimed at curtailing child solicitation activities in the region.
Details from the operation, which took place in April 2023 and resulted in more than 30 arrests, revealed that a cooperative effort between the Johnson County Sheriff's Office and the Franklin Police Department was instrumental in the success of the sting. According to FOX 59, Busch engaged in a text message conversation with who he thought was a girl under the legal age of 16, proposing to commit sex acts. Unbeknownst to him, his intended meeting in Johnson County was a set-up, with law enforcement officers awaiting his arrival instead.
The consequences of Busch’s actions are severe. A conviction of child solicitation, especially a Level 4 felony, could see him facing up to 12 years in prison. Furthermore, he will be required to register as a sex offender, a mandate that follows such convictions. The WISH-TV report mentions that Busch’s sentencing is scheduled for August 22, 2024, where the full extent of his punishment will be determined.
The trial brought forth evidence from officers of both the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office and the Franklin Police Department, who testified to Busch’s intentions.
