A former police officer and commander with the Gary Police Department was arrested and indicted Thursday on federal charges for allegedly coercing a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct.
The officer, James W. Bond, 52, of Crown Point, appeared and pleaded not guilty in federal court in Hammond via Zoom on Thursday. Bond’s attorney told CBS Chicago that Bond was held in Hammond’s city jail but will be transferred to a Kankakee, Illinois, detention center. He is expected to appear in federal court next Tuesday.
The victim, identified as Minor A, was an employee in Gary’s Summer Youth Employment Program that provides youth ages 14 to 22 with jobs within various departments throughout the city. According to court records, the minor was assigned to the Gary Police Department during this 2024 summer cycle.
The grand jury charges that from on or about July 2, 2024, to on or about July 9, 2024, Bond knowingly coerced Minor A to produce, record sexually explicit material. In addition, on or about July 12, Bond was found to be in possession of child pornography.
In a statement, Police Chief Derrick Cannon affirmed the department’s mission to protect and serve the community’s most vulnerable.
“Let me be clear: Actions such as those alleged in the indictment will not be tolerated in our community, especially within our agency,” Cannon said. “Upon becoming aware of these allegations, swift action was taken to ensure the safety of our employees and the officer named was immediately removed from his authority.”
Mayor Eddie Melton also condemned the officer’s actions while thanking the community for its help.
“The alleged actions of this individual are reprehensible and do not represent the city of Gary’s nor my administration’s core values at all,” Melton said. “I would like to thank all community members who have assisted our law enforcement officials during this investigation.”
If found guilty of sexual exploitation of a minor, Bond could face between 15 to 30 years in prison. The charges for receiving child pornography and possessing child pornography carry terms that range between five and 20 years.
