An officer with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department is facing serious allegations related to child sexual abuse material. Sergeant Javed Richards, 42, has been charged with multiple federal offenses, including five counts of distribution and one count of possession of this illegal content.
As detailed by the U.S. Attorney's Office, the indictment alleges that Richards was actively distributing videos featuring minors under the age of 12 through Kik messenger as of July 14. Furthermore, numerous images and videos were also found in his iCloud account, constituting possession of child sex abuse material. The implications of these charges are severe, Richards could face up to 20 years in federal prison if convicted.
Following the charges, IMPD took swift action by suspending Richards with intentions to push for his termination through the IMPD Civilian Police Merit Board. With the case garnering attention, cooperation from various quarters has poured in, including the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department itself, who is working alongside the FBI and Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force to crack down on the crime.
U.S. Attorney Myers, overseeing the prosecution, has delegated the case to Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany J. Preston, in efforts to hold the accused accountable for the harm done to the most vulnerable. "IMPD announced it has suspended Sergeant Richards pending a recommendation of termination to the IMPD Civilian Police Merit Board," as noted by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
