JOHNSON COUNTY, Ind. — A child solicitation sting in Johnson County led to 21 arrests over three days.
Investigators worked on the sting over several months. They said the people arrested in the sting thought they were going to meet a 14- or 15-year-old child. The sting took place between Nov. 28-30.
"These sites that they visit to hook up with these minors — and in our case, an alleged minor, 14 or 15-year-old male or female — is spooky," Johnson County Sheriff Duane Burgess said. "I mean, you have to do some work to get into these sites."
Among those arrested was 45-year-old Indianapolis firefighter Carl D. Wemple, who is facing a preliminary charge of child solicitation – a Level 4 felony. He is suspended without pay, indefinitely, pending the outcome of his legal process, according to the fire department. Wemple has been with IFD for 17 years.
“It is very disappointing because it gives us all a black eye," Burgess said. "The people that are in these leadership roles have been at their agencies for many, many years, and we take it very serious. This is my career. This is the only career I’ve ever had, and if I had someone get arrested here at the sheriff’s office, it’s very hurtful."
A sting in Johnson County in April led to 32 arrests. Since 2019, the child solicitation stings have netted more than 100 arrests.
“Together, we are dedicated to protecting our youth and our community from these ruthless predators,” Franklin Police Chief Kirby Cochran said.
"Is there more to come? There is. We’re going to keep doing this. These individuals are waiting in line, I should say," Burgess said. "We’re not going to stop, and we’re going to keep working with all our agencies in Johnson County, and whoever wants to come to Johnson County to assist us, we’d welcome."
The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, Bargersville Police Department, Edinburgh Police Department, Franklin Police Department, Greenfield Police Department and the United States Secret Service all took part in the investigation.