Lake County Jury Convicts Crown Point Man in Long-Running Child Sexual Abuse Case
LAKE COUNTY — A Lake County jury has found Michael Langford guilty on multiple felony counts related to the sexual abuse of minors following a years-long investigation by local law enforcement and the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office.
According to court records and testimony presented at trial, the investigation began in August 2019 after a report of suspected child abuse was made to the Lake County Sheriff’s Department. A teenage victim disclosed the abuse to his grandparents, prompting law enforcement to open a criminal investigation.
Detectives with the Lake County Sheriff’s Department Special Victims Unit conducted forensic interviews with three minor victims, all of whom described ongoing sexual abuse over several years while living in multiple states, including Indiana, Illinois, and Tennessee. Investigators reported the abuse occurred primarily while the children resided in Crown Point.
Court documents indicate the victims consistently described being manipulated and coerced, including allegations that money, gifts, and other incentives were used to facilitate the abuse. Investigators also recovered physical evidence, including a handwritten ledger allegedly used to track payments, which was introduced during the investigation.
Following the completion of the investigation, Langford was formally charged and the case proceeded to trial in Lake County Superior Court.
This week, a jury returned guilty verdicts on the following counts:
- Three counts of Sexual Misconduct with a Minor (Level 4 felonies)
- Two counts of Child Seduction (Level 5 felonies)
In a statement released after the verdict, Lake County Prosecutor Bernard Carter praised the work of his prosecution team and law enforcement officials involved in the case.
“This outcome reflects the professionalism, persistence, and compassion shown by everyone involved,” Carter said. “Because of their efforts, justice was achieved for the victims.”
The prosecutor also acknowledged the investigative work of the Lake County Sheriff’s Department, including members of the Special Victims Unit and detectives who conducted the forensic interviews.
Sentencing for Langford is scheduled for March 19, 2026.
