Court records detail allegations of child abuse against an Indianapolis police veteran and use of a popular messaging app.
Javed Richards, a 12-year Indianapolis Metro Police officer, uploaded over 40 files containing child pornography, including videos and images, through the messaging app Kik, according to the arrest affidavit. Court records also say Richards used a “highly secure” email domain to cover his tracks.
Because of these activities, Kik submitted a CyberTip to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in July, but the messaging app remains one of the most popular apps used by child predators.
Kik has been the platform of choice for sex offenders to upload child pornography for nearly 15 years.
Signing up for Kik is easier than most social media apps. All you need is your date of birth and an email address, but of course both of these can be fictitious. Kik’s website says the app is listed in the Google and Apple app stores as “intended for users 17 years and older,” but users 13 and older can sign up for free.
From Kik’s community standards:
“Violent and criminal behavior, child abuse and nudity.
We have zero tolerance for content that promotes, supports or depicts child exploitation. This includes soliciting child sexual abuse material, sharing child abuse images, and any content depicting child nudity. Content, including but not limited to text, photos, illustrations, videos, and animated images, that sexualize or exploit minors will not be tolerated. Sharing or possessing such content is a serious crime and we will report such cases to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC).
For the purposes of this Directive, any person under the age of 18 shall be considered a minor.”
Kik has been involved in countless cases of child pornography/exploitation. So many that the platform now has a dedicated law enforcement section. This is part of the law enforcement guide:
“Kik is rated 17+ on the iTunes Store and Teen on the Google Play Store. To register a Kik account, a user must enter their date of birth and be at least 13 years old. Children under the age of 13 are prohibited from having a Kik account, according to the Kik Terms of Service. If Kik learns that a user is under the age of 13, it is our policy to permanently disable their account and delete their personal information (unless otherwise advised by law enforcement).”
Javed Richards has already been arrested and charged with 12 counts of child abuse. IMPD Chief Chris Bailey has recommended his dismissal. Richards has already been suspended, which Chief Bailey confirmed on Monday.
“I am deeply shocked and disturbed by the allegations against an IMPD officer. His alleged actions represent a betrayal of our sacred oath to protect and serve our community. These actions do not reflect the character of the brave men and women who serve Indianapolis every day with integrity and dedication. The exploitation of children through pornography is an unimaginable crime that causes lasting harm to our most vulnerable. I commend the tireless dedication of our Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit investigators. Their efforts in investigating, prosecuting and formulating responses to these heinous crimes ensure that those who exploit children are held accountable,” Bailey said in a press release Monday.
Richards is due to appear in court on Thursday.
