High school assistant track coach faces federal child sexual exploitation and pornography charges

Defendant is alleged to have had hundreds of videos and other images on his cell phone

Indianapolis-Josh J. Minkler, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, announced today that an Attica Indiana High School assistant boys and girls track coach was arrested on child exploitation charges. Jeremy Kelley, 39, from the town of Attica, was arrested yesterday and faces charges of sexual exploitation of a child, receipt of child pornography and possession of child pornography.

“Protecting and advocating for our most vulnerable has always been a top priority of my office,” said Minkler. “Those who take advantage of this district’s children can expect the full hammer of federal prosecution.”

In January 2018, law enforcement officials from the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The follow-up investigation lead officials to a social media account owned by Kelley. Montgomery County deputies obtained search warrants for Kelley’s accounts and found over 16,000 images, most of which contained child pornography and over 500 video files.

On June 29, 2018, federal and local law enforcement served a search warrant at Kelley’s residence and found 451 videos and 27,000 images, most of which contained child pornography on his telephone.

Kelley was arrested and remains in the custody of the U.S. Marshal’s Service. He will have an initial hearing in Indianapolis on Monday, July 2, 2018.

The public is encouraged to call law enforcement officials if they have any reason to believe Kelley may have had inappropriate contact with their children or other youth in the community. The toll-free number is 800-CALLFBI (225-5324) or www.fbi.gov/tips

This case was investigated by the FBI, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department and the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office. 

According to Assistant United States Attorney Tiffany J. Preston, Kelley could face decades in prison if convicted.

A criminal complaint is only a charge and not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent until proved otherwise in federal court. 

 In October 2017, United States Attorney Josh J. Minkler announced a Strategic Plan designed to shape and strengthen the District’s response to its most significant public safety challenges. This prosecution demonstrates the Office’s firm commitment to prosecuting those who exploit children through the use of social media and to work closely with Project Safe Childhood. See United States Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Indiana Strategic Plan 4.1 and 4.2