A major child exploitation investigation has led to the arrest of four individuals in Morristown and Greenfield, Indiana. The Hamilton County Metro Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, headquartered at the Fishers Police Department, announced the arrests following an extensive investigation prompted by CyberTips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Morristown Arrest: On January 29, 2025, ICAC Task Force officers arrested Erik Scot Reed of Morristown, IN, on multiple felony charges related to child exploitation and possession of child pornography. Reed faces:

• Five counts of Child Exploitation (Level 4 felony)
• Two counts of Child Exploitation (Level 5 felony)
• Five counts of Possession of Child Pornography (Level 5 felony)
• Six counts of Possession of Child Pornography (Level 6 felony)

Detectives executed search warrants on Reed’s social media accounts, allegedly uncovering numerous files containing child sexual exploitation material. Following the issuance of an arrest warrant for 18 felony charges, Reed was taken into custody and transported to the Shelby County Jail.

Greenfield Arrests: On January 30, 2025, ICAC Task Force officers served arrest warrants on three individuals in Greenfield, IN, resulting in additional felony charges.

• Stephanie Reeves faces a total of 26 felony charges, including:
  • Sexual Misconduct with a Minor (Level 4 and Level 5 felonies)
  • Incest (Level 4 felony)
  • Bestiality (Level 6 felony)
  • Child Exploitation (Level 4, Level 5, and Level 6 felonies)
  • Dissemination of Matter Harmful to Minors (Level 6 felony)
  • Child Solicitation (Level 5 felony)
  • Vicarious Sexual Gratification (Level 4 felony)
  • Attempted Possession of Child Pornography (Level 6 felony)
• Anthony Strahl was arrested on eight felony charges, including:
  • Vicarious Sexual Gratification (Level 4 felony)
  • Aiding Sexual Misconduct with a Minor (Level 4 felony)
  • Aiding Bestiality (Level 6 felony)
  • Child Exploitation (Level 5 and Level 6 felonies)
• April Brown was arrested on six felony charges, including:
  • Bestiality (Level 6 felony)
  • Aiding Bestiality (Level 6 felony)

ICAC Task Force detectives served search warrants on social media accounts and multiple residences in Greenfield, where they allegedly uncovered extensive child sexual exploitation material. The three suspects were taken into custody and transported to the Hancock County Jail.

Task Force and Investigation Details: The Hamilton County Metro ICAC Task Force is a specialized unit focused on internet crimes against children. It includes detectives from Fishers, Greenfield, Carmel, Westfield, Noblesville, the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, the Madison County Sheriff’s Office, and the Department of Homeland Security. The task force investigates child exploitation cases in Hamilton, Hancock, Madison, and Tipton counties.

Authorities urge anyone with information related to internet crimes against children to report tips to law enforcement or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

This investigation remains ongoing, and additional charges may be forthcoming as the task force continues its work.

One issue that has arisen while I was out of town last week is the long-running issue of how local income tax proceeds are divided between the cities of Fishers and Carmel.  The Indianapolis Star, Indianapolis Business Journal and just this week, Current in Fishers, have all written stories about a bill being shepherded through the Indiana Senate by Kyle Walker, representing Fishers and Lawrence.

Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness has argued for many years that Carmel gets more than its fair share in dividing-up the local income tax pie.  Leila Kheiry, Editor of Current in Fishers, cites recent numbers in her story, showing Carmel will receive nearly $77 million in income taxes in 2025, compared to $42.5 million for Fishers.  Considering Fishers and Carmel have about the same population number, that is a large discrepancy.

A recent effort by state lawmakers to fix this and send more money Fishers’ way was struck down as unconstitutional by a Marion County judge.

Senator Walker is proposing a bill that would send more income tax cash to Fishers, but plans to amend the bill once on the Senate floor to send more funds Carmel’s way.  As one would expect, Carmel Mayor Sue Finkam opposes the bill.  Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness supports the measure.

Since Current Publishing has no paywall, you can read reporter Kheiry’s story at this link.

The newly opened Fishers Event Center is set to make waves in the sports and entertainment world with a series of exciting announcements leading up to the Pro Volleyball Federation’s (PVF) inaugural All-Star Match. Set for 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 22, this event will feature the league’s top talent and mark a significant milestone for professional volleyball in the United States.

Tickets on Sale Now

Fans eager to witness this historic matchup can purchase tickets starting at $30 via Ticketmaster or at the Fishers Event Center Box Office, which is open Wednesdays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For those unable to attend in person, the match will be broadcast nationally on CBS Television Network, ensuring volleyball enthusiasts across the country can join in on the action.

Olympic Gold Medalist Shawn Johnson East to Co-Host

Adding to the event’s star power, four-time Olympic medalist and renowned entrepreneur Shawn Johnson East has been announced as a co-host for the All-Star Match. Johnson East will participate in pre-match festivities and match break activities and will appear on the CBS broadcast. A celebrated gymnast, Johnson East has built a robust media presence alongside her husband, former NFL athlete Andrew East. The couple shares their parenting journey with over 11.5 million social media followers and produces the popular podcast “Couple Things.” PVF has teased that an additional celebrity co-host will be announced soon.

Fans to Decide All-Star Rosters

PVF has opened fan voting for the All-Star Match rosters. Fans can participate over the next two weeks at ProVolleyball.com/vote, selecting two players per position, including outside hitters, opposite hitters, middle blockers, liberos, and setters. The top-voted players will earn automatic inclusion on the 2025 PVF All-Star rosters, while additional selections will be made by coaches and league officials. Fan voting is powered by WIT, a leading digital engagement platform used by professional teams and leagues across North America.

The Fishers Event Center, home to PVF’s newest franchise, the Indy Ignite, has already played host to major events featuring Turnpike Troubadours, Alabama, and Cirque du Soleil. With the All-Star Match, the venue solidifies its status as a destination for world-class sports and entertainment.

For more on the Indy Ignite, and the All-Star event, listen to a podcast with Mary Kay Huse of the Ignite at this link.

The intersection of Klotz Farm Boulevard and 116th Street, in the Spyglass Falls and Spyglass Hills neighborhoods, has been a problem for years.  According to data gathered by the Fishers City Engineering Department, there have been 31 crashes at that location from 2010 to the present day.

This has been studied for years.  The question has always been – we all understand there is a problem, but what is the best solution?

City Engineering Director Hatem Mekky went through a detailed presentation on the history of the issue and laid out a number of solutions.  Those include a possible roundabout or traffic signal.

In the end, Mekky recommended  an extension of Lauren Falls Lane to Knightsbridge Lane, creating a one-way street.  The price tag for this project is estimated at roughly $345,000.  Although this proposal does not allow access to Spyglass Hills, it does not increase traffic into Spyglass Hills.

The Fishers Board of Public Works and Safety had a number of questions for Director Mekky about the data and his department’s recommendation.  The board currently consists of Mayor Scott Fadness and his appointee, Jeff Lantz.

A large number of Spyglass residents were on hand for the meeting.  No public comment was taken at the Tuesday morning session.  However, Mayor Fadness said the city will continue to take comments on the issue.

It is expected the board will make a final decision on the solution for this traffic problem at the meeting set for 9am. February 25.

View the presentation at this link.

Hamilton County Area Neighborhood Development (HAND), a nonprofit dedicated to providing quality affordable housing, announced it will begin self-managing its 157 rental units by March 31. The move marks a major milestone for HAND, reinforcing its commitment to delivering high-quality service and support to its residents.

The organization’s Board of Directors approved the transition in October, and HAND has been working closely with its current third-party property manager, Herron Property Management, to ensure a seamless handover. The decision to bring property management in-house is aimed at improving oversight, increasing responsiveness to resident needs, and further aligning daily operations with HAND’s mission.

“When we build a rental property, we think about who will live there and what non-housing resources they might need to improve their situations,” said Andrea Davis, HAND’s executive director. “Taking over property management will allow us to close that loop and ensure that residents’ needs are being met, both in their homes and in the broader community.”

Expanding the Team for Better Service

To support this transition, HAND is expanding its team and is currently hiring for key property management positions. These new roles will enable HAND to enhance resident support, maintain compliance, and strengthen financial oversight. Under this new structure, HAND aims to:

• Provide proactive resident support
• Ensure effective management and compliance
• Strengthen financial oversight and accountability

A Future Focused on Residents

The transition process is already underway, with extensive planning and staff training to equip HAND’s team with the necessary expertise to manage its 11 affordable rental communities.

“Our residents are at the heart of everything we do,” Davis added. “This transition is about aligning our operations with our values. We are excited to take this step forward and continue building a brighter future for the communities we serve.”

HAND recently completed its first Fishers project, Cumberland Cottages, at 141st Street & Cumberland Road.

For more information about HAND’s expansion into property management or its mission, visit www.handincorporated.org.

Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness has floated the idea of closing the 116th Street & Allisonville Road intersection this summer as a roundabout is constructed.  During Tuesday morning’s Board of Works and Public Safety meeting, Fadness indicated the construction of that roundabout at 116th & Allisonville may not happen this year, as had been planned.

Following the meeting, the mayor told LarryInFishers state crews are likely to continue work on the Clear Path project, rebuilding the interchange at I-465 and I-69, well into next year.

That state project has been blamed by city officials for the backups and increased traffic flow at the new 96th Street and Allisonville Road roundabout.  Fadness says any closure of 116th & Allisonville, paired with the state construction at I-465 and I-69, would dump even more vehicles into the 96th Street and Allisonville Road roundabout.

The mayor seems to favor waiting until the state Clear Path project is completed before building the roundabout at 116th & Allisonville.

The mayor made it clear no decisions have been made, but it appears the roundabout at 116th Street and Allisonville Road will not happen in 2025.

Freshman high school students in the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) District will begin to experience 8 specific Networks, or courses of study, guiding their educational experience.  More information is available at this link.

Two Central Office administrators for HSE Schools, Steve Loser and Jason Urban, are spearheading the rollout of the Networks program.  I spoke to them to explain what this Network system is all about.  Listen to my conversation with them in the podcast at the link below.

The Fishers Community Center is on target to open in November of this year, and memberships will be available starting February 10.  For more on that, and the Center itself, I spoke with the Director of Recreation and Wellness for the City of Fishers, Jake Reardon McSoley….and the new Director of the Community Center, Mike Lindbloom.

You can listen to our podcast conversation at the link below.

With the weather we have experienced in January, thinking about the spring season to come is nice.  But there is something happening in Fishers that is worth watching and can impact our city and neighborhoods.

At the Fishers City Council meeting January 13, councilors received a presentation from the mayor’s Chief of Staff Jordin Alexander about a proposal to limit rental homes to 10% per neighborhood.  This was recommended by a housing study commissioned by the city and presented to the Council 2 years ago.

It has taken about 2 years to look into this issue and for the staff of Mayor Scott Fadness to come up with a response to the growing number of rental homes in the city, particularly those owned by out-of-town entities, including Wall Street investment firms.

The presentation to the Council was the first step.  What comes next is the precise language of a proposed ordinance.  Council members appeared receptive to the idea and Mayor Fadness invited suggestions from Council members on exact language for the ordinance.

The first reading of a proposed ordinance is expected to be before the City Council by February or March.  It is expected to take about 3 months for any final approval, presuming all goes smoothly.

This has drawn media attention in Indianapolis news outlets such as the Indianapolis Star and Indianapolis Business Journal.  But don’t be fooled into thinking this is a done deal.

It is clear there is a positive initial reaction from the Fishers Council members.  Homeowners Associations (HOAs) appear to be behind such an ordinance limiting the number of rental units in each neighborhood.  Homeowners in many neighborhoods have concerns about the condition of some of the rental homes.  But I hear rumblings of opposition ahead.

Keep in mind that the interests buying and renting these homes are well financed entities such as hedge funds.  They have plenty of money and if they decide this ordinance will get in their way of doing business, those interested parties will not hesitate to begin using those resources in opposition of an ordinance such as the one Fishers is exploring.

I have seen chatter online and viewed arguments that may be used.  For example, there are many families unable to buy a home in Fishers for various reasons but are able to rent.  Would Fishers be penalizing these families?

It should be noted this proposal will not impact the cost of renting a home in Fishers.  That is true, it will not reduce rental home costs in Fishers.  The clear goal of this ordinance would be allowing more families to buy homes in the City of Fishers.

I am looking forward to seeing the first proposed language of a Fishers ordinance addressing rental homes.  HOAs have complained that the absentee owners often neglect maintenance and repairs of these rental homes, forcing HOAs to take legal actions, which adds expenses all HOA homeowners must share.

Keep an eye on this issue as the weather warms with the coming spring season.