Kicks 96 Local News

(Richmond, IN)--Late Thursday night, the Richmond Police Department issued a statement about its role in a private group’s efforts to expose adult predators who try to solicit children online. A video is circulating on social media where a member of that private group from Illinois goes to the home of a Richmond man, who is already a registered sex offender, and questions him about his online activity with someone posing as a 12-year-old girl. After nearly an hour of conversation, an RPD officer and supervisor arrive. Here’s an exchange between the private investigator and the RPD supervisor.

RPD (to investigator): "You're putting yourself in harm's way."

Investigator: "That's my choice."

RPD: "You're endangering him (sex offender) because he doesn't know who you are.

Investigator: "I'm not endangering him. I'm not threatening him in any way. I'm completely nice to him."

RPD: I'm not going to argue with you. I've talked to our prosecutor. At minimum we're gonna do a report. That's all we're gonna do."

The conversation between the supervisor and the investigator continues and becomes more tense.

RPD: "I encourage you not to continue doing this (confronting online sexual predators)."

Investigator: " I won't. I won't come back to this town no more, I can promise you that."

RPD: "Thank you."

The RPD statement Thursday night said that information goes to the prosecutor’s office and charging decisions rest with them. RPD also advised against intervening for social media content. Here is RPD's statement in its entirety:

The Richmond Police Department is aware of a video circulating on social media involving our officers responding to a report about an individual allegedly engaged in an explicit conversation with someone posing as an underage child.

At the scene, officers ultimately documented the incident, worked with the complainant to obtain evidence, and ensured a report was completed. That report has been referred to investigators, who are reviewing the allegations alongside Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) specialists to confirm the validity of the evidence. Simply put, we investigate crimes, make arrests when the law allows, and submit thorough, evidence-based cases to the prosecutor’s office. Once that happens, the decision to file charges rests entirely with them. This case is no different. When our investigation is complete, it will be put in the hands of the Prosecutor’s Office. We urge members of the public: if you suspect a crime involving a child, report it directly to your local law enforcement agency. Attempting to intervene independently or record content for social media can compromise investigations and potentially endanger all involved. If you are a victim, know someone who may have been impacted, or have information on this case, please contact the Richmond Police Department. Information on separate cases can also be submitted to the Indiana Department of Child Services Hotline at 1-800-800-5556 or the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children CyberTipline at 1-800-843-5678

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RPD RESPONDS TO VIDEO INVOLVING SEX OFFENDER, PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR, AND OFFICERS

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