Ex-Gary police officer federally indicted for allegedly enticing a minor, possessing child porn

IL file photo

A former Gary police officer was arrested last week on federal criminal charges after allegedly enticing a minor to produce and record sexually explicit conduct.

James W. Bond, 52, has been charged with sexual exploitation of a minor and receiving and possessing child pornography, according to an indictment from the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana.

According to the indictment, the city of Gary operates a Summer Youth Employment Program for residents between the ages of 14 to 22.

Bond was serving as a commander with the Gary Police Department at the time.

The indictment lists “Minor A” as employed by the city of Gary as part of the Summer Youth Employment Program assigned to the Gary Police Department.

Bond allegedly enticed “Minor A” to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction. On July 8, Bond received child pornography, the indictment alleged.

Bond’s iPhone 15, which has been forfeited, contained child pornography.

At an initial appearance hearing on Sept. 19, the court ordered Bond be held without bond pending trial or further proceedings.

A detention hearing has been set for Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. in the U.S. District Court in Hammond.

A final pretrial conference has been set for Nov. 15 with a five-day jury trial starting Nov. 25. Pretrial motions are due by Oct. 17.

The investigations conducted by Indiana State Police came at the request of Gary Police Chief Derrick Cannon in July. The investigation was then turned over to the U.S. Department of Justice for consideration of charges.

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.

Bond’s attorney Paul G. Stracci did not immediately respond to request for comment.

The case is USA v. James W. Bond, 2:24-cr-81.