Also, Coroner releases third quarter report, Stellantis appoints new North America COO
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(Editor’s note: The following article contains subject material of a sexual nature that may disturb sensitive readers.)
Former Kokomo Police Department officer Sinmi Asomuyide, 33, has been sentenced to 40 years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. In June 2026, Asomuyide was convicted following a five-day jury trial of Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law, Witness Tampering, and Destruction of Records.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Asomuyide, then 31 years old, first encountered Minor #1, a 14-year-old girl, on June 30, 2024, while serving as a Kokomo Police Department (KPD) patrol officer. Earlier that day, Minor #1’s father called 911 to report her as a runaway. Asomuyide and another KPD officer responded to the call and located Minor #1 at the home of another underage girl.
After taking Minor #1 into custody, Asomuyide transported her to the Kinsey Youth Center. As he entered the facility’s sallyport garage, he turned off his body-worn camera in violation of KPD policy. He then took Minor #1’s cellphone and used it to call his personal TextNow phone number before questioning her about her sexual history. During a pat-down search, Asomuyide discovered a vape pen in Minor #1’s back pocket. After entering the Youth Center, he escorted Minor #1 to a side room and told her he would contact her later to return the vape pen.
Minor #1 was eventually picked up from the Youth Center by a family friend at the direction of her father. As she left, she sent Asomuyide the username for one of her social media accounts, and he responded by requesting her TikTok username. The two continued communicating by text message throughout the evening while Asomuyide completed the remainder of his shift, and Minor #1 remained under the impression that Asomuyide intended to return her vape pen.
Later that evening, Asoyumide took several steps to see Minor #1 while simultaneously covering his tracks. He returned to the KPD police station and requested overtime, stating that he would be finishing his paperwork from 10:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m., but instead left the station to pick up Minor #1. He arrived at the family friend’s apartment in his KPD uniform and demanded to speak to Minor #1 privately to determine where she should stay.
Instead, Asoyumide handcuffed Minor #1 in the back of his squad car and drove to an empty warehouse parking lot, as shown by his squad car’s GPS data. He uncuffed the girl, moved her to the front seat and sexually assaulted her. After, Asoyumide put the handcuffs back on and drove the minor back to the apartment complex.
Minor #1 reported the assault to family members and law enforcement, prompting the Indiana State Police (ISP) to open an investigation. During a forensic examination of Asomuyide’s patrol vehicle, investigators located a dried semen stain matching Asomuyide’s DNA on the center console.
Approximately one week after the assault, ISP detectives interviewed Asomuyide. During the interview, he falsely claimed that he never provided Minor #1 with his phone number, suggesting instead that she may have overheard him reciting it to a Kinsey Youth Center employee. He also falsely asserted that Minor #1 had contacted him on a work phone, even though KPD officers are not issued work phones.
A forensic examination of Asomuyide’s cell phone revealed that, within hours of the assault, he searched phrases including “how to delete text me account” and “TextNow delete account.”
This is not Asomuyide’s first instance of sexual misconduct with a minor. He was previously employed as a police officer at the Portsmouth (Virginia) Police Department (PPD) and was forced to resign after an allegation that he had sexual intercourse with a 15-year-old while he was off duty. When he later applied to the Kokomo Police Department, he misrepresented what he did, stating that he was forced to resign from PPD because he was “hanging out” with a 17-year-old girl who told him that she was 19.
“The Department of Justice takes civil rights abuses seriously, including those committed by the small minority of police officers that betray public trust,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon. “This defendant will be held accountable for the kidnapping and sexual abuse of a child. We hope the victim will be able to recover and prosper despite this horrific episode.”
“This defendant exploited the badge in one of the worst ways imaginable,” said Tom Wheeler, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “What makes these crimes particularly disturbing is that he used the very tools, training, and authority entrusted to him as a police officer not only to assault a vulnerable child, but to try to conceal it. The evidence told a different story, and today’s sentence sends a clear message that no one can use the authority of the badge as a shield from accountability.”
“The very people entrusted with protecting children must never become the ones who victimize them. This defendant preyed on a 14-year-old girl and then attempted to cover up his crimes,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Timothy J. O’Malley. “That kind of calculated abuse is unconscionable. The FBI remains committed to protecting children and relentlessly pursuing those who prey on them.”
“The Indiana State Police aggressively investigates crimes committed against children, especially when perpetrated by individuals placed in positions of immense trust,” said Captain Ron Galaviz, ISP Chief Public Information Officer. “It is unconscionable that someone in authority would abuse their power for personal gratification at the expense of an innocent child. We remain steadfast in our commitment to holding these abusers accountable and protecting the most vulnerable members of our communities.”
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Indianapolis Division and Indiana State Police investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by Chief District Judge James R. Sweeney, II.
U.S. Attorney Wheeler thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney, Peter Blackett, Civil Rights Division Trial Attorney Anita Channapati, and former Senior Sex Crimes Counsel Tara Allison, as well as Victim Witness Coordinator, Stephanie Lloyd, for their work on this case.
Coroner releases third quarter report
The Howard County Coroner’s Office investigated 64 deaths in the third quarter of 2026. Of those cases, 45 were determined to be due to natural causes. There were four deaths by suicide, 13 accidental deaths, and two undetermined causes of death. The coroner’s office also reviewed an additional 13 direct release cases.
Of the 13 accidental deaths, six were the result of drug overdose. Drugs involved include methamphetamine, fentanyl, and MDMB-4en-PINACA. Of the remaining seven accidental deaths, three were from injuries from falls, three from motor vehicle accidents, and one from positional asphyxia.
Of the 64 cases investigated in the third quarter, there were 20 autopsies and 33 toxicology tests performed for a total cost of $50,994. Toxicology tests for suspected drug overdose cases are paid for by the Indiana State Department of Health. All autopsies ordered by the coroner are performed by a board-certified forensic pathologist.
The coroner’s office investigates all deaths that occur from violence, casualty, in apparent good health, have died from suspicious, unusual or unnatural manner. The coroner also reviews all deaths that occur in the hospital emergency rooms or within 24 hours of admission and deaths that occur during surgery or while under general anesthesia.
The coroner is responsible for establishing the identification of the deceased as well as the cause and manner of death. Further, the coroner is responsible for death notifications to the legal next of kin and personal property found on or near the decedent.
Stellantis appoints new North America COO
Stellantis has announced the appointment of Pablo Di Si as Chief Operating Officer, North America and American Brands, effective immediately. He will join the Stellantis Leadership Team (SLT) and report to Antonio Filosa, Stellantis CEO.
Di Si assumes leadership of North America and the American Brands from Filosa, who has continued to oversee the region alongside his role as Stellantis CEO. During this time, the North America team has improved manufacturing efficiency and quality, brought greater discipline to inventory, restored customer choice, and rebuilt market momentum.
“North America is critical to Stellantis’ success and the delivery of our FaSTLAne 2030 strategy,” said Filosa. “We’ve made important progress, and there is significant opportunity ahead. Pablo is a proven leader who deeply understands the North America market, our business and the importance of disciplined execution. I have great confidence in what he and the North America team will accomplish together.”
Di Si brings more than 25 years of experience across finance, business development, strategy and operations. He has led Volkswagen’s businesses in North America and South America and previously held various leadership positions at Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA). Most recently, he served as Stellantis Chief Performance Officer, working closely with teams around the world to accelerate performance and competitiveness through the ramp up of the Company’s Value Creation Program.
“I’m honored and energized to lead a team that has already done so much to turn around this critical business for our Company,” said Di Si. “We will build from a solid foundation, based on strong execution and relentless focus on our customers across the United States, Canada and Mexico. I look forward to working closely with our employees, dealers, suppliers, unions, and business partners to accelerate our momentum and grow our North American business.”
In other leadership moves, Jon Nelson was appointed North America Chief Financial Officer, reporting to Di Si. He replaces Joao Laranjo, who held this responsibility in addition to his role as Stellantis CFO. Nelson brings extensive experience in automotive finance, accounting, capital allocation and financial advisory, with a career spanning senior leadership roles at Stellantis, FCA and PwC.
Gustavo Soloaga was appointed Chief Performance Officer, effective immediately, reporting to Laranjo. Soloaga brings more than 30 years of senior finance leadership experience, having led strategic initiatives and operations across Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa at Groupe PSA and Stellantis.
Alexandre Sorel will succeed Nelson as CEO of Stellantis Financial Services, reporting to Laranjo, while keeping his responsibilities as head of Financial Services for Europe. Sorel has more than 30 years of automotive finance and financial services experience, including senior roles at Groupe PSA and CEO of Opel Vauxhall Finance.