Neil Lachmund, a 46-year-old resident of Michigan City, Indiana, has been sentenced to 54 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to charges including sexual exploitation of children, production of child pornography, and production and transportation of obscene material for sale or distribution. The sentence was handed down by United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty. Following his release from prison, Lachmund will be subject to lifetime supervised release. A restitution hearing is scheduled at a later date to determine compensation for the victims.
Court documents indicate that Lachmund produced images and videos depicting child sexual abuse over a ten-year period. During part of this time, he was employed as a law enforcement officer. He distributed these materials online and possessed tens of thousands of additional illicit images and videos on his electronic devices.
“Neil Lachmund once swore an oath to protect the vulnerable in his community,” said Acting U.S. Attorney M. Scott Proctor. “By repeatedly preying on those least able to protect themselves, he betrayed the principles to which he swore in the most vile and loathsome manner imaginable. While this sentence cannot undo the harm caused to Lachmund’s victim(s), it puts an end to his depredations. It also serves to warn any other would-be sexual predators: should they decide to commit their crimes in northern Indiana, they will be hunted down and brought to a swift and severe justice by the exceptional team of law enforcement professionals who operate in this District every day.”
FBI Indianapolis Acting Special Agent in Charge Michael Ericks commented on the gravity of the case: “The sexual exploitation of children is among the most reprehensible crimes we investigate. This defendant once swore to uphold the law but, instead, he chose to exploit the most vulnerable among us,” Ericks said. “This sentence reflects the serious harm inflicted on the victims and sends a clear message: those who engage in such horrific crimes will be held accountable. The FBI and our law enforcement partners will continue to diligently identify and investigate those individuals and pursue justice for survivors.”
Matthew J. Scarpino, Special Agent in Charge at Homeland Security Investigations Chicago, emphasized agency commitment: "Homeland Security Investigations is unwavering in its mission to protect children from those who seek to exploit and harm them, regardless of the predator's position or profession. The fact that this individual was a former law enforcement officer entrusted to uphold the law makes these crimes even more appalling. This case underscores the importance of our partnerships with state and local agencies to ensure that no one is above the law and that those who prey on the most vulnerable members of our society are brought to justice.”
The investigation involved multiple agencies including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and Indiana State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Unit (ICAC). Assistant United States Attorney Hannah T Jones prosecuted the case.
This prosecution falls under Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in 2006 aimed at protecting children from exploitation through coordinated efforts among federal, state, and local authorities as well as victim identification resources (more information can be found at www.projectsafechildhood.gov).
