Former Gary police officer arrested and charged with Sexual Exploitation of a Minor

CHICAGO -- The United States Justice Department announced on Thursday that they have arrested former Gary Police Department officer James Bond on federal charges for allegedly "enticing a minor to produce and record sexually explicit conduct."

The 52-year-old Bond was officially charged with Sexual Exploitation of a Minor and Receiving and Possessing Child Pornography, according to an indictment returned in U.S. District Court in Hammond.

"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 it to Bond," the justice department said. "At the time, the minor was employed by the City of Gary as part of the Summer Youth Employment Program."

Bond, who lives in Crown Point, was arrested Thursday morning and his initial court appearance was Thursday afternoon.

According to authorities, 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.