INDIANAPOLIS — A 19-year-old from Indianapolis has been charged with multiple felonies for his role in organizing, promoting and hosting several parties at rental properties, including a party where a 16-year-old was shot and killed.
Jalen Helm faces the following charges:
- Two counts of corrupt business influence (Level 5 felonies)
- Six counts of maintaining a common nuisance (Level 6 felonies)
- Four counts of money laundering (Level 6 felonies)
- Two counts of criminal recklessness (Class B misdemeanors)
- Criminal recklessness (Level 6 felony)
- Reckless homicide (Level 5 felony)
- Sale of alcoholic beverage without a permit (Class B misdemeanor)
- Identity deception (Level 5 felony)
- Fraud (Level 6 felony)
- Theft (Level 6 felony)
- 10 counts of theft (Class A misdemeanors)
Court documents say that Helm hosted at least eight illegal parties between June 16, 2023 and Oct. 28, 2023. These parties were promoted through social media and targeted young people. The court documents allege that Helm supplied alcohol and narcotics to attendees, while also allowing armed guests into the parties. Helm then also collected money for cover charges.
He is also accused of using stolen credit cards to pay for the property rentals and other expenses and failing to obtain proper permits to host the large events.
“These illegal parties and events are a ticking time-bomb for a disaster,” Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears said. “The defendant is alleged to have taken significant measures to shield his parties from the veil of law enforcement and rental property owners, while providing unsafe environments for numerous teenagers and young people. We will continue to work with law enforcement to shut down those who put young people’s lives at risk through these illegal events.”
On Oct. 29, 2023, 16-year-old Kalin Washington was killed while nine other people between the ages of 16 and 21 were injured in a shooting in the 5100 block of East 65th Street, near Binford Boulevard. IMPD issued citations following the incident to five people, one of which was Helm.