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Indianapolis Star
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Indianapolis Star
Indianapolis councilor Nick Roberts denies claims he groped 18-year-old woman against her will
Another Indianapolis city councilor is pushing back on accusations of sexual misconduct after a woman alleged that he groped her while she tried to push him away during a second date. An 18-year-old woman filed a report with Fishers police accusing City-County Council member Nick Roberts, 24, of grabbing her breasts and butt as she tried to pull away during a kiss on July 12 in downtown Fishers, according to allegations reported by Mirror Indy. Roberts, who has not been charged with a crime, denied the allegations in a Facebook video posted July 29, saying he did "absolutely nothing wrong." "I just wanted to completely deny the allegation of doing anything inappropriate," said Roberts, a Democrat. "Quite frankly, I'm not sure why this slanderous post was made about me, but it's incredibly hurtful not just to me but to my entire family and everyone who knows my character. I was raised to respect all people and I would never engage in unwanted physical contact with a woman without her consent." The allegation against Roberts — lauded by the Indiana Democratic Party as the youngest councilor to win in any major American city after his election in 2023 at just 23 years old — is the latest in a series of sexual misconduct claims made against Democrats in city and state politics. Roberts represents District 4, comprising parts of Castleton and Geist in northeast Marion County. Perhaps the most salient allegations are three women's accounts to IndyStar that Thomas Cook, a former top aide to Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett, pressured them into unwanted sexual encounters while dangling career growth before them as their superior. Two of the women have also criticized Hogsett himself for sending text messages that made them uncomfortable and allowing Cook to work as an unpaid adviser during a 2023 mayoral campaign despite his knowledge of past issues. More recently, City-County Council member Keith Graves was accused of physical and sexual assault by a woman 30 years younger than him, according to an IndyStar investigation. Council Democrats have promised to make reforms to the city's sexual harassment policies and reporting systems, including an overhaul of the human resources department and the creation of an inspector general to independently investigate alleged policy violations. Critics have said they doubt their intentions, however, after Council President Vop Osili ordered the forcible removal of one Cook accuser from a council meeting. Indy politics: Joe Hogsett wants to move past harassment scandal. Many aren't sure he can The accounts from Roberts and the woman, whom Mirror Indy did not name because she claims she's a victim of sexual assault, are aligned in some respects. But what differs starkly is their interpretation of a kiss during a second date. The two agreed to meet for brunch on July 5 after they matched on the dating app Hinge, Roberts said. Both say the first date went well, according to her text messages and comments to Mirror Indy. As they prepared to leave, Roberts hugged her and kissed her on the cheek. She later texted Roberts to say she "had a really good time" and "especially appreciate[d] the kiss on the cheek," according to Roberts. Roberts responded that she could get another "(and maybe more)" next time, by which he says he meant a kiss on the lips. Although the woman told Mirror Indy the remark made her uncomfortable, she responded, "I hope so, I'd like that :)" — meaning another kiss on the cheek. The two met in downtown Fishers a week later, on July 12, for ice cream and an evening stroll along the Nickel Plate Trail. During that walk, Roberts admits that he kissed her on the lips for a few seconds. The woman claims that Roberts pulled her off onto a side trail, where he began kissing and groping her while she pushed him away and told him to stop. He eventually loosened his grip, she said, apparently because someone walked by along the main trail. Roberts denies her account of those events, he said. He told Mirror Indy that the pair walked onto a side trail and kissed for a few seconds. He claims only to have put his hands on her hips. "While on our walk, because of those text messages, I kissed her on the lips for a few seconds," he said in a written statement reviewed by IndyStar. "During the kiss, she did not push me away or ask me to stop. If she had done either, I would have stopped immediately. We then walked for approximately another 30 minutes, and we had a conversation with nothing out of the ordinary." While Roberts described the following moments as unremarkable, the woman told Mirror Indy she was visibly shaken afterward. When they arrived back at their cars, Roberts said, "she leaned in so I could give her a kiss on her cheek and we said goodnight." The woman decided to file a police report soon after the date. Fishers police told Mirror Indy that the investigation is ongoing and refused to comment further. Roberts said he's cooperating fully with the police investigation and will continue to focus on his work as a councilor. "I have faith in the process and believe the facts will prove my innocence," Roberts said in the Facebook video, "and I remain committed toward working for our council district in the meanwhile."
Indianapolis Star
7 days ago
- Politics
- Indianapolis Star
Indiana Democrats need a moral comeback to stage a political one
I'm not a cynical person. I believe deeply in the power of people, relationships, and community to make things better. But when it comes to politics, especially right now, cynicism can feel like the only rational response. The most generous possible description of the current occupant of the White House is that he's a self-dealing narcissist with a mysterious charisma and an emotionally resonant economic critique of the last 40 years. The previous administration, by many credible accounts, functioned as a shadow presidency with an unelected cabal of aides and lackeys pulling the levers of power as the incumbent's mental deterioration accelerated in plain view. The state level, at least here in Indiana, doesn't offer much consolation. Many of our elected officials are unserious about governing; some are actively harmful. There's not a lot to justify even a shred of idealism. In other words, the moral high ground in politics, circa 2025, doesn't count for much. Unless, of course, the moral high ground is all you have. I've been writing this column for about six months now, and most of my ire has been directed at Indiana Republicans. They hold 85%–90% of the power in this state, so it seems only fair they receive a commensurate amount of scrutiny. I could pick more on Democrats, but why? The most coherent argument Indiana Dems have offered over the past decade is: 'Look at those crazy Republicans! At least we're not them!' It's an argument built almost entirely on outrage and a vague sense of moral and intellectual superiority. Yet, in just the past five years, several prominent Indiana Democratic officeholders (of the few that still exist) have been credibly accused of various creepy and distasteful acts. Most of these probably don't rise to the level of criminal offenses, but they are, without question, the acts of morally bankrupt individuals. The only thing worse than the individual acts is the top-to-bottom institutional complicity. The state party refuses to act. Party officials sweep credible allegations under the rug. The City-County Council orders a third-party investigation, which is then immediately hamstrung with lawyerly hair-splitting over 'legality,' when the real question should be about propriety and public trust. And Mayor Joe Hogsett, the de facto moral leader of the party, shrinks from the spotlight and shirks his responsibility. Briggs: Todd Young's political survival means never fully crossing Trump As much as it pains me to say it, this stands in stark contrast to the last time a prominent Hoosier Republican faced a similar scandal. When former Attorney General Curtis Hill was accused of unwanted sexual advances, the GOP replaced him at its convention. When Senate Minority Leader Greg Taylor faced (arguably) more serious accusations, the caucus initially voted to keep him in leadership. This might all sound like holier-than-thou primping and preening. After all, as previously established, modern politics is a cynical, zero-sum game. That's why my point isn't really about moral propriety, but about political ineptitude. Indiana Democrats seem to think that because they have so little power, they have to protect what scraps they do have. But I think they're getting it backwards. The question isn't 'how do we hold on to the little we've got?' The question is: 'What exactly are we sticking up for?' To illustrate — because, apparently, I'm the tortured sports metaphor guy — let's talk Bobby Knight. When he was leading undefeated teams and raising banners in the 1970s and '80s, he was untouchable. By all accounts, he was the same guy in 2000 when he was fired for an altercation with a student. But, by then, the program had been mired in mediocrity for years. The glory days were long gone. Knight was expendable, so he was canned. Opinion: I was dragged out by sheriff's deputies. Indiana Democrats stayed silent. Back to the Dems: What banners have their harassing and complicit officials raised? What accomplishments justify the tolerance of such behavior? They hold no meaningful state power. Even their grip on Indianapolis is routinely undermined by the legislature. What exactly are they defending, other than personal relationships and individual careers? I want a credible Democratic Party in Indiana. Yes, I agree with them on many of the big issues. But more than that, I want a real competition of ideas and a political landscape that generates better policies to improve Hoosier lives. Here's the bottom line: The moral high ground isn't worth much in politics these days, unless it's all you have. If Indiana Democrats want to make a political comeback, it begins with making a moral one.
Indianapolis Star
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Indianapolis Star
Traffic updates, text alerts, public safety: What you should know ahead of WNBA All-Star 2025
WNBA All-Star Game festivities start this week, and Mayor Joe Hogsett said the top priority for city leaders is public safety. "This is a very important weekend because we have both Indiana Black Expo and the WNBA All-Star Game," Mayor Joe Hogsett said. "The chief and public safety officials in Indianapolis are pretty veteran at holding the largest single-day sporting events in all the world." Different law enforcement agencies from central Indiana and the Indiana State Police will be out throughout downtown, and IMPD has shifted staffing to make sure neighborhoods throughout the city are still being patrolled adequately. Public safety officials want attendees to be reassured that their safety at the WNBA All-Star Game and its associated events is a top priority despite public concerns after a spate of shootings and homicides in recent weeks. People can TEXT ALLSTAR25 to 67283 to opt into public safety notifications. Since summer started on June 20, there have been 22 homicides and 70 non-fatal shootings across Indianapolis. Thirty people were shot from July 4 to 6, 2025. Five people died, two of whom were teens hit during a mass shooting downtown. IMPD Chief Chris Bailey said he saw fewer kids downtown past curfew this past weekend as he worked the area himself on Friday and Saturday nights. He said he also saw fewer juveniles with firearms, a trend that he said he hopes continues. "They want what we all want to do, and they should be able to come down here and enjoy themselves, but we want them to do so in the right ways," Bailey said. "We can't control your behavior," Bailey said. "I'm asking people to come downtown and have a peaceful heart. You don't have to solve your issues with weapons, whether it's a gun or otherwise. We will enforce the law." Monument Circle: Wednesday, July 16, to Sunday, July 20 Delaware Street: Friday, July 18 For the WNBA STARRY 3-Point Contest and Kia WNBA Skills Challenge event, doors at Gainbridge Fieldhouse will open at 6:30 p.m. The event starts at 8 p.m. Delaware Street will be closed between South Street and Maryland Street from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. Delaware Street: Saturday, July 19 For the AT&T WNBA All-Star Game, Gainbridge Fieldhouse doors will open at 7 p.m. with the event starting at 8:30 p.m. Delaware Street will be closed between South Street and Maryland Street from 4-11 p.m. Closed due to construction All Star Bounce: Saturday, July 19 Registration starts at 7 a.m., with the event starting at 9 a.m. at the American Legion Mall. Meridian south from the American Legion Mall to Monument Circle will be closed between 7 a.m. and noon.
Indianapolis Star
07-07-2025
- Indianapolis Star
At least 30 people shot in Indy over holiday weekend. 5 didn't survive
This article will update. Five people are dead and 25 more are injured after a staggeringly violent Fourth of July weekend in Indianapolis. It was 2025's most violent weekend by far, preceded by another record-setting amount of violence just the previous weekend. "I'm not sure anymore what it's going to take for some in our community to wake up," Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Chief Chris Bailey said after a downtown shooting killed two teens in the early morning hours of July 5. The city will assist with IMPD's "active enforcement" of a youth curfew downtown in response to a mass shooting that killed two teens, Mayor Joe Hogsett wrote on social media. Under that law, a 16-year-old cannot be unaccompanied in public after 11 p.m. or before 5 a.m. on a weeknight. Here's what we know about the shootings that took place over the holiday weekend. July 4, 5:20 a.m.: Police were called to the 3600 block of St. Thomas Lane. Officers who arrived at the scene found a man shot. He was taken to a hospital in stable condition. July 4, 7:30 p.m.: Officers and park rangers were called to the 7700 block of Lafayette Road on the report of a person shot. When they arrived at that address, which is located in Eagle Creek Park, they found two men on the shoreline of a river with gunshot wounds. Both were taken to a hospital in critical condition, and one man died after arrival. July 5th, 1:30 a.m.: IMPD was responding to a fight downtown at around 1:30 a.m. when gunshots were heard near the intersection of West Market Street and North Illinois Street. When police arrived on the scene, they found six people shot, several of them teenagers. Another person involved arrived at a local hospital. A 16-year-old, Xavion Jackson, died at the scene and a 15-year-old, Azareaon S. Cole died after arriving at a hospital for treatment. Five were treated for injuries at area hospitals. Of the survivors, three were adults and two were teens. Seven were detained for questioning and multiple guns were recovered, officials said. "I don't know how many times I have to say it," Bailey said. "We are not your children's keepers. You are." July 5, 3 a.m.: Police were called to a person shot in the 300 block of Peach Tree Lane. Officers who arrived at the scene found two people in stable condition. July 5, 6:20 a.m.: A person receiving treatment at Eskenazi Hospital was reported to be in stable condition. Police have not released information about the location of the shooting. July 5, 3 p.m.: IMPD was dispatched to the 1300 block of Fall Creek Parkway East Drive on the report of a person shot. Officers found Dontae Anthony Lewis, 29, dead from a gunshot wound. Initially, the wound was thought to be self-inflicted, but that possibility was ruled out after further investigation. July 5, 6 p.m.: Police were called to assist a person shot in the 4000 block of East Michigan Street. The person they found was found in critical condition. July 6, 12:30 a.m.: IMPD was dispatched to a call of a person shot in the 3800 block of East New York Street. Officers found a person shot in critical condition. July 6, 12:50 a.m.: IMPD North District officers were called to the 1800 block of Roosevelt Avenue to assist with a person shot. Officers found two men shot on the front porch at that address. Jalen Stephen Williams, 30, was declared dead at the scene, and the other man was taken to a hospital in stable condition. July 6: Officers responded to IU Health Hospital after a patient with a gunshot wound was treated at the hospital. They were reported to be awake and breathing. July 6, 3:30 a.m.: Police were called to a person shot in the 8300 block of Southern Springs Drive. The person was in stable condition, an IMPD spokesperson said. July 6, 5 a.m.: IMPD reported to Eskenazi Hospital after two patients arrived with gunshot wounds. Both were awake and breathing. Police believe the shooting took place in the 2500 block of Producers Lane, on the city's east side. July 6, 7 p.m.: Police were called to the 2000 block of Olivewood Drive after a person was shot. Officers found a person in stable condition, and a person was detained. July 6, 8:15 p.m.: Officers were called to the 8000 block of East 36th Street on a report of a person shot. They were reported to be awake and breathing. July 6, 11:15 p.m.: Police believe two people who arrived at Eskenazi Hospital with gunshot wounds were injured during a robbery in the 1000 block of King Avenue. Both were reported to be in stable condition. July 7, 12:30 a.m.: Shortly after midnight, police were called to the scene of a person shot in the 2900 block of North Park Avenue. They were reported to be in stable condition. July 7: Police responded to two people who arrived at Methodist Hospital with gunshot wounds. Both were in stable condition. It's unclear where the shooting took place. Two additional shootings that took place over the weekend are believed to be self-inflicted, an IMPD spokesperson said. One of those shootings was fatal.
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Yahoo
IMPD to enforce curfew, work with state police after downtown mass shooting
Indianapolis officials announced several safety initiatives at a July 5 news conference in the wake of a Fourth of July weekend mass shooting that left two teenagers dead and several other people wounded. In an effort to curb the "lawlessness, disrespect and reckless behavior" Indianapolis Police Chief Chris Bailey said he's seen downtown over the past few weeks, Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett said the city would return to enforcing a state curfew. According to state law, teenagers ages 15-17 must be home between 1-5 a.m. on Saturday-Sunday and by 11 p.m. Sunday-Friday. Children under the age of 15 must be in their homes by 11 p.m. every day. Hogsett, who has kept a low profile since the release of a report on his administration's handling of internal sexual harassment allegations, said more must be done. The city's previous choice to educate people rather than enforcing the curfew needed to change, he said. In addition to the curfew, some people may not be allowed to visit Mile Square, as Bailey said he's directing IMPD to seek stay-away order for anyone charged with violent crimes, weapons violations and disorderly behavior. The department is also working to add surveillance cameras in areas of concern and station more officers downtown, Bailey said, adding that officials from the Indiana State Police have agreed to add troopers throughout the summer. The troopers will help alleviate staffing issues, he said, which have been making it harder to get officers to voluntarily work overtime shifts. During news conferences hosted in the wake of the downtown shooting, Bailey described a scene of frequent conflict despite the presence of hundreds of officers from IMPD, ISP and Capitol police. Bailey said some people were seen doing drugs in public and launching bottle rockets at pedestrians. At least 11 people were arrested downtown July 5, with charges ranging from weapons position to battery. He also reminded the public that it is illegal to contributing to the delinquency of a minor and neglect a dependent after seeing several adults driving downtown to drop off teenagers. "We cannot grow numb to the violence in our community where it occurs," Bailey said. "We cannot accept this as normal." Kareem Hines, who founded a program called New Breed of Youth, made a plea to guardians to monitor their teenagers' social plans. Pastor Richard Reynolds told parents not be embarrassed asking for help from the community. Hines said New Breed of Youth would take in anyone and occupy them productively with options like boxing, rapping or entrepreneurship. David Greene, president of the Concerned Clergy of Indianapolis, said the shooting highlights the need for mandatory firearm safety training and stronger penalties for those who misuse guns. "If we want to stop the violence," he said, "we must unite not just in grief, but in responsibility." This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Fourth of July mass shooting: IMPD to enforce curfew, work with state police
