Former Indiana Police Officer Convicted of Sexual Assault

An ex-police officer in Indiana has been found guilty of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl who had run away from home. He tracked her via her cell phone and forced her into his patrol car while on duty, according to authorities and reports.

Shinmi Asomuide, 33, a former Kokomo police officer, was convicted after a five-day trial. He faced charges not only for the assault but also for lying to investigators to conceal his actions. The U.S. Department of Justice announced the verdict on Friday.

Asomuide originally encountered the victim when he was a probation officer assigned to find her after she had run away. The girl reported that a police officer took her to a youth center but left inappropriate comments while she was there.

After dropping her off and exchanging numbers, Asomuide tracked the girl’s phone, followed her home, and demanded she leave with him. She later told investigators that he handcuffed her and took her to an abandoned parking lot where the assault occurred.

A federal jury convicted Asomuide of depriving the girl of her rights by not only assaulting her but also failing to protect her as a minor. The jury determined his actions qualified as abduction and abusive sexual contact with a child under 16.

In addition to the assault, Asomuide was found guilty of tampering with testimony—denying sexual contact and lying about various pieces of evidence. He even deleted the messaging app he had used to communicate with the girl to cover up the crime.

He could face a maximum sentence of life in prison. “The defendant’s actions showed a complete disregard for the law and the trust placed in him,” said Timothy J. O’Malley, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Indianapolis Field Office.

O’Malley emphasized the importance of holding individuals like Asomuide accountable to restore trust in law enforcement and ensure justice for victims.