United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana

A federal jury in Indianapolis found 31-year-old Jacquez "Joc" Brown of Chicago guilty on Oct. 15 of sex trafficking of a minor, sexual exploitation of a child, and three counts of distributing child sexual abuse material. Prosecutors said Brown compelled a 15-year-old girl to engage in sex acts for money at a Terre Haute motel in December 2022, distributing explicit images and his phone number in advertisements to solicit buyers. The case began after a 911 text alerted Vigo County dispatchers. A digital forensic expert tied Brown to the trafficking communications during the trial. Homeland Security Investigations and Terre Haute police led the investigation. Brown awaits sentencing.

A federal grand jury has indicted Randy Bond, 52, of Fortville, Indiana, on wire fraud charges for submitting fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program and Economic Injury Disaster Loan applications, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Indiana.

Investigators say Bond carried out the scheme between July 2020 and October 2021, falsely claiming he owned and operated a car wash, an automotive repair business, and a pet care business with substantial payroll expenses. He submitted four applications and received a total of $101,333 in relief funds, which he allegedly spent on personal purchases at retailers including Best Buy and Total Wine rather than legitimate business costs.

Bond worked as a field examiner for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, a role in which he assisted veterans relying on financial assistance. He made his first appearance in federal court on September 16.