Former Officer Sentenced to 54 Years in Prison For Sexual Exploitation of Children
SOUTH BEND – Neil Lachmund, 46 years old, of Michigan City, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty after pleading guilty to sexual exploitation of children, production of child pornography, and production and transportation of obscene material for sale or distribution, announced Acting United States Attorney M. Scott Proctor.
Lachmund was sentenced to 54 years in prison followed by life on supervised release. A restitution hearing will be held on a later date to determine the amount of restitution owed to the victims of the offenses.
According to documents in the case, Lachmund produced images and videos of child sexual abuse material. His crimes were committed over a ten-year period, during part of which he was employed as a law-enforcement officer. He then distributed those images and videos to other people using the Internet. Forensic analysis of his electronic devices revealed that he possessed tens of thousands of additional images and videos.
“Neil Lachmund once swore an oath to protect the vulnerable in his community,” said Acting U.S. Attorney 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.”
“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,” said FBI Indianapolis Acting Special Agent in Charge Michael Ericks. “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.”
“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,” said Homeland Security Investigations Chicago Special Agent in Charge Matthew J. Scarpino.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Indiana State Police Internet Crimes against Children Unit (ICAC). The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Hannah T Jones.
