Local News Headlines: January 22, 2021

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Vigilantism discouraged by local law enforcement

The Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office has issued a statement collaboratively with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department, along with the Brownstown, Crothersville, and Seymour Police Departments relating to vigilante sting operations. Specifically, individual citizens have been conducting their own investigations into pedophilia by pretending to be underaged girls online; and arranging meet ups with older men in public places. Once the older men arrive with a documented intent of a sexual encounter, they are then exposed on video, which is then posted to social media. Jackson County Prosecutor said that “Vigilantism is extremely dangerous, and he strongly discourages such sting operations,” following with, “Sooner or later, it will result in violence, injury, and death. Police say if you have information concerning sex crimes, sex trafficking, or other crimes, contact your local law enforcement agency, and that the police will investigate.

Ratcliff sues Indiana over alleged violations

Rod Ratcliff, the former CEO of Spectacle Entertainment has challenged that the state of Indiana Gaming Commission acted against him without allowing a fair hearing on allegations that he exerted control over his former company in violation of state orders. This action came following federal indictment of his former business partner for campaign contribution violations. Radcliff’s lawsuit states that he was unfairly judged guilty by association and forced to give up his stakes in a Lake Michigan casino and a $300 million new casino project being built in Gary, Indiana, in partnership with Hard Rock International.

Notre Dame Football violates NCAA recruitment policy

The Notre Dame Football program has been hit with NCAA recruitment violations, as members of the Irish coaching staff met privately with high school recruits, including an exposed incident where head coach Brian Kelly posed for a photo  with a high school prospect. As a result, Notre Dame received a year of probation, a $5,000 fine, and a number of recruitment limitations, including a seven-day off-campus recruiting ban for the entire football staff during the 2020-21 academic year.