James Bond, former Gary Police Dept. Commander [File Photo]
Former Gary Police Commander James Bond faces child pornography charges
Contributed By: The 411 News
Minor was a Summer Youth Employment Program employee
Former Gary Police Department Commander James Bond was arrested this morning on charges related to producing child pornography.
A press release from the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois said Bond, 52, of Crown Point is charged with sexual exploitation of a minor, along with receiving and possessing child pornography, according to an indictment returned in U.S. District Court in Hammond, Ind.
The Indiana State Police conducted the investigation of Bond at the request of Gary Police Chief Derrick Cannon in July.
The indictment alleges that Bond, while serving as a Commander with the Gary Police Department earlier this summer, enticed and coerced a minor to produce sexually explicit conduct and send a visual depiction to Bond.
At the time, the minor was employed by the City of Gary as part of its Summer Youth Employment Program and was assigned to the Gary Police Department.
The indictment alleges the sexual exploitation occurred between July 2, 2024 and through July 9, 2024.
According to the indictment, a visual depiction of the sexual conduct was received by Bond’s cell phone on July 8, 2024. On July 12, 2024, investigators found an image of child pornography on the cell phone owned by Bond.
The exploitation count is punishable by a minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison and a maximum of 30 years. The receipt count is punishable by a minimum sentence of five years and a maximum of 20 years, while the possession count carries a maximum sentence of ten years.
The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois upon recusal by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Indiana.
Morris Pasqual, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois asked, “If you believe that you or someone you know may have been victimized by James W. Bond, you are encouraged to contact Homeland Security Investigations by calling 1-877-4-HSI-TIP.” The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Story Posted:09/19/2024
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