Bohanon & Curott: Change the incentives and you change the outcome
When you reduce criminal penalties and stop prosecuting thugs, don’t be surprised when crime soars.
Crime
Articles
Westfield man gets 30-month prison sentence for defrauding employer
The former practice administrator for an ophthalmology practice with offices in Indianapolis and Avon was accused of diverting $270,000 from his company’s accounts to himself in more than 500 transactions.
Justice Department escalating cyber crackdown
The U.S. is stepping up actions to combat ransomware and cybercrime through arrests and other actions, its No. 2 official said, as the Biden administration escalates its response to what it regards as an urgent economic and national security threat.
Minneapolis voters reject measure to replace police department
Voters in the city where the defund the police movement began soundly rejected a proposal Tuesday to replace their troubled police department in an election likely to have national implications in the debate over policing and racial justice.
Indianapolis matches 2020 homicide record with 215th death
A man was shot and killed early Sunday in Indianapolis, taking the number of criminal homicides in the city this year to a record-tying 215.
Former Indiana casino executive faces new charges related to tax evasion
John Keeler was indicted this week by a federal grand jury on two new charges related to illegally using campaign donations to lower the taxable income for Centaur Holdings, parent of the casino company where Keeler was vice president and general counsel.
IBJ Podcast: Will the Prosecutor’s Office move to the new Community Justice Campus?
Host Mason King talks with IBJ reporters Leslie Bonilla Muñiz and Mickey Shuey about why Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears is hesitant about moving to the Twin Aire site and why the mayor wants the office at the campus.
Westfield man sentenced to 5 years in fraud, money-laundering scheme
Prosecutors say the defendant used a Ponzi-style scheme to induce 100 individuals to sink more than $11 million into his companies.
Police say Indianapolis FedEx shooter not motivated by race, ethnicity
Four of the eight people killed by Brandon Scott Hole on April 15 were members of the city’s Sikh community, but investigators said Wednesday he did not appear to be motivated by bias. Rather, Hole was suicidal and wanted to “demonstrate his masculinity.”
Watchdog: FBI mishandled Nassar-USA Gymnastics abuse case
The inspector general’s office found that “despite the extraordinarily serious nature” of the claims against USA Gymnastics national team doctor Larry Nassar, FBI officials in Indianapolis did not respond with the “utmost seriousness and urgency that the allegations deserved and required.”
Fallout continues from biggest global ransomware attack
Thousands of organizations—largely firms that remotely manage the IT infrastructure of others—were infected in at least 17 countries in the assault. The notorious REvil gang is seeking tens of millions of dollars in extortion payments.
Law enforcement struggling to recruit since death of George Floyd
Law enforcement agencies across the country experienced a wave of retirements and departures in the year since George Floyd’s death. Meanwhile, hiring has slowed.
Mayor plans more than $3M in new spending on anti-violence efforts
In addition to more money for IMPD, the proposal includes spending on domestic violence reduction, mental health capabilities and juvenile intervention.
Two dead, two injured during shooting outside downtown hotel
The incident occurred under the entrance canopy at the Fairfield Inn & Suites, across from the Indiana State Museum and near White River State Park.
Judge alters ‘red flag’ process after Indianapolis FedEx shooting
All “red flag” cases filed by Indianapolis police will now come before a judge after an Indiana prosecutor was criticized for declining to use the law to pursue court hearings against the man who killed eight people at a FedEx facility last month.
Marion County prosecutor facing criticism after FedEx shooting
The leader of the Indianapolis police union said Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears “failed to do his part” when he chose not to bring Brandon Scott Hole before a judge for a hearing under Indiana’s “red flag” law.
U.S. takes new aim at ransomware after costly year for attacks
Last year was the worst to date in terms of the economic toll from ransomware, with demands to victims averaging more than $100,000 and in some cases totaling tens of millions of dollars.
FedEx facility near airport reopens following mass shooting
FedEx said it plans to gradually ramp up operations. Employees were given the choice whether to return to work on Wednesday. Meanwhile, the company said it has donated $1 million to a survivor’s fund.
Cities braced for post-Chauvin trial unrest, got celebrations instead
Across America, communities prepared for the worst. They put up barriers and called in reinforcements. They boarded up windows and declared emergencies. They were bracing for Derek Chauvin to be acquitted of George Floyd’s murder, but that didn’t happen.
Sikh group wants probe of gunman’s possible supremacist link
The Sikh Coalition’s request came a day after Indianapolis police released a report stating that an officer who seized a shotgun from Brandon Scott Hole’s home after his arrest in March 2020 saw what he identified as white supremacist websites on Hole’s computer.