IMPD Officer Accused of Child Exploitation Appears in Court
Source: WISH-TV
INDIANAPOLIS–An Indianapolis police Sergeant accused of child exploitation could spend the rest of his life in prison if he’s convicted.
Sergeant Javed Richards, a 12-year veteran with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, appeared in court Thursday morning. The judge told Richards he would be released from jail after he surrendered his passport and four guns. Richards says he plans on hiring his own attorney.
Richards is facing 13 counts of child exploitation and one count of child pornography possession. He could serve anywhere between 28 to 156 years in prison if convicted.
His jury trial is supposed to begin October 21.
A judge set Richards’ bond at $4,000. Court records show that Richards paid that bond on Wednesday.
Richards was arrested on Monday. Investigators say Richards sent over 40 files of child sex abuse material through the online messaging app Kik on July 14. Also on Monday, IMPD Chief Chris Bailey suspended Richards from the department pending a recommendation of termination to the IMPD Civilian Police Merit Board.
