Also, motorcycle collision ends in critical injuries; IUK participating in P-12 Summit; KHCPL holds Conversation on Civic Engagement
This article is brought to you by Solidarity Community Federal Credit Union. Your car budget is more than the sticker price. Before you start shopping, take a few minutes to look at the full cost of owning the vehicle, not just the monthly payment.
Consider:
• Insurance costs
• Fuel and expected mileage
• Maintenance and repairs
• Registration and fees
• How the loan term affects your total cost
Knowing what comfortably fits your budget before you shop can make the entire car-buying process feel a lot more manageable. Thinking about your next vehicle? Solidarity Community Federal Credit Union is here to help you understand your financing options before you head to the dealership!
On September 7, 2026, a patrol officer from the Kokomo Police Department spoke to a complainant about child sexual abuse material activity and the possibility of child sex trafficking. The investigation was ultimately transferred to the KPD Digital Crimes Unit.
The complainant consented to the forensic examination of her cellular phone, and this was conducted at the Tippecanoe County High Tech Crime Unit at the complainant’s request. The digital forensics examiner located and recovered relevant text messages and imagery from the device. The digital evidence was later transferred to Kokomo Police Department detectives.
During the investigation, the suspect, 45-year-old Steven James Reed of Kokomo was identified. Steven is a registered sex offender and has been involved in previous child sex offenses.
It was further revealed that Steven had distributed child sexual abuse material to the complainant via text messages. Steven also offered the complainant $4,000 to have sexual encounters with him and a 13-year-old female. Steven further offered a younger female child to the complainant.
On September 14, officers and investigators with the Kokomo Police Department, Howard County Sheriff’s Office, and the Indiana State Police executed court-authorized activity at a residence in the 800 block of North Webster Street. Steven Reed was located at the residence.
During the search, digital devices were recovered. Forensic examinations on these devices were performed at the Kokomo Police Department. Child sexual abuse material was recovered from the digital devices.
During an interview with Steven, Steven told detectives that the communication was just a “fantasy.” Steven admitted to seeking out illicit material of young girls and sending them to the complainant.
Detectives are currently partnering with the Indiana State Police and Indiana Department of Child Services to ensure no real children are involved.
Steven was arrested and transported to the Howard County Criminal Justice Center. He has been charged with:
- Conspiracy to Commit Child Sex Trafficking, Level 2 Felony
- Distribution of Child Sexual Abuse Material, Level 3 Felony
- Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material, Level 4 Felony
- Making an Unlawful Proposition, A-Misdemeanor
All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Detective Sergeant Drew J. Wallsmith #389 at 765-456-7388 or via email at dwallsmith@cityofkokomo.org. You may qualify for a cash reward by calling Central Indiana Crime Stoppers at 1-800-262-TIPS with your anonymous tip. Tips can also be submitted by utilizing the KPD Tip411 app.
Furthermore, the KPD Digital Crimes Unit encourages citizens to report any information regarding child exploitation, solicitation, and enticement-type crimes against children to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children via the Cyber Tip Line at http://report.cybertip.org or phone at 1-800-THE LOST.
Motorcycle collision ends in critical injuries
On September 13, 2026, at approximately 7:34 p.m., Kokomo Police officers were dispatched to the 800 block of North Dixon Road in front of the Jefferson Crossing Apartments after 911 callers reported a traffic accident with injuries involving a car and a motorcycle.
Upon arrival, officers located the motorcycle’s sole occupant down with serious bodily injury from the collision. Members of the Kokomo Fire Department and Ascension St. Vincent EMS quickly arrived and provided medical care for the motorcyclist.
The operator of the 2016 Harley-Davidson motorcycle was identified as 64-year-old Lenney Belt of Kokomo. Belt was later airlifted to a trauma center, where he remains in critical but stable condition. The other vehicle involved was a 2009 Toyota Prius driven by 64-year-old Beishe Tokoev, also of Kokomo. Tokoev was medically evaluated on scene but declined immediate medical care.
Preliminary investigation indicates that the Harley-Davidson was traveling north on Dixon Road in the right lane, and the Toyota was traveling south. For reasons still under investigation, the Toyota crossed into the northbound lanes and struck the motorcycle head on.
Tokoev told officers at the scene that he had fallen asleep at the wheel. Tokoev was transported by officers to an area hospital for a blood draw, pursuant to Indiana’s Implied Consent law for fatal and serious bodily injury traffic accidents.
This case remains active with Kokomo Police Department accident investigators and is pending results from the Indiana State Department of Toxicology. All information is subject to change as the investigation progresses. Responding agencies included the Kokomo Police Department, Kokomo Fire Department, Ascension St. Vincent EMS, and Howard County Emergency Management.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Sgt. Chad Mooney #430 at 765-456-7600 ext. 8430.
IUK participating in P-12 Summit
Indiana University Kokomo faculty and local P-12 teachers, administrators, and students are among those sharing expertise as IU’s P-12 Education Summit, set for Tuesday, September 22.
The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the 502 East Event Centre in Carmel. Learn more and register for free until September 18 at schoolpartnerships.iu.edu/p-12-summit/.
The P-12 Summit brings together IU faculty and staff, P-12 school leaders, industry partners, state education officials, and community organizations to discuss the most pressing issues facing education in Indiana.
The agenda includes a school leaders panel; a fireside chat with Indiana Secretary of Education Katie Jenner and IU President Pamela Whitten; legislative dialogue; and concurrent sessions highlighting innovative practices, research, and collaborative solutions in education for college and workforce readiness. All concurrent sessions are co-presented by external education partners and IU staff and faculty.
IU Kokomo faculty and staff included are Dean Angela Opsahl and Assistant Dean Stephanie Pratt, School of Nursing and Allied Health Professions; Jeremy Edom, Indiana College Core program manager; Sarrah Grubb, associate professor of education; Christina Romero, associate professor of education; and Cheryl Moore-Beyioku, senior lecturer in special education.
Area educators presenting include Melainie Hardin, Northwestern High School counselor; Michele Starkey, superintendent of the Logansport Community School Corporation; Shannon Shrader, Taylor Community School Corporation teacher; and Tara Seufer and Stephanie Brown, Rochester High School guidance counselors.
The Hoosier Youth Panel, a new addition to the summit, will bring youth voices and experiences to the forefront of the conversation. IU Kokomo student Aiden Temple, a 2026 Mississinewa High School graduate, will participate in the panel.
Education is KEY at Indiana University Kokomo.
KHCPL holds Conversation on Civic Engagement
Join Dr. Darren Wheeler and Stacey Wheeler, co-authors of the “The Citizen’s Handbook: A Conversation on Civic Engagement,” for an engaging and nonpartisan discussion about civic responsibility, informed citizenship, and the role each of us plays in strengthening our communities.
The Kokomo Howard County Public Library will host the authors at its south branch, 1755 E. Center Road, on Wed., Sept. 23, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. The public is invited to attend this free event.
Representatives from the League of Women Voters also will be on hand to provide voter registration assistance and answer questions about the voting process. Thanks to the generosity of the library’s partners, each attendee will receive a free copy of “The Citizen’s Handbook” while supplies last.