An Indiana police officer is facing charges of child exploitation and related offenses, according to court records.
The federal charges come months after Richards was arrested on state charges. In Marion Superior Court, Richards faces 13 counts of child exploitation and one count of possession of child pornography, according to Indy Star.
WTHR reports that Richards pled not guilty to the state charges, and the trial is set for October 21.
According to the indictment:
- On July 14, 2024, Richards allegedly distributed at least five videos of minors under the age of 12 engaged in sexually explicit conduct to other individuals via the Kik messenger application.
- Richards is further charged with possessing numerous images and videos of child sex abuse material on his iCloud account.
IMPD has suspended the 12-year veteran, and Richards’s termination has been recommended to the Civilian Police Merit Board.
If convicted of the federal charges, Richards could face up to 20 years in prison.
[Feature Photo via IMPD]
