Do Not Call No. 1736627766 - 870244151

Adam Blanton

Richmond Police Department

50 North 5th Street

Richmond, Indiana 47374

(765) 983-7247

https://www.richmon…

Date of Offense

October 9, 2024

Offense(s)

False Statements

Official Statement

The decision to include Blanton on this list stemmed from two incidents where he allegedly disseminated factually inaccurate information:

Confidential Informant Status Misrepresentation: In September 2024, following the murders of Christina Dixon and Matthew Johnson—whose bodies were discovered in Fort Wayne—Blanton publicly stated on RPD's Facebook page that the victims were not confidential informants for RPD. However, court documents and statements from the prosecutor's office indicated that both individuals had provided information to RPD leading to a search warrant, and Dixon had been approved to purchase drugs as a confidential informant in July 2024.
Miscommunication Regarding YouTube Prankster Incident: Blanton reportedly informed media outlets that the prosecutor's office had declined to press charges against an individual involved in a YouTube prank in Richmond. Prosecutor Shipman clarified that his office had not received any case submissions from RPD concerning the incident at the time of Blanton's statement.

In response to these actions, Prosecutor Shipman placed Blanton on the Brady-Giglio list, citing concerns about the dissemination of false information and its potential impact on legal proceedings. RPD Chief Kyle Weatherly and Assistant Chief Blanton have publicly disputed this decision, expressing their intent to seek remedies and asserting their commitment to professionalism and accountability within the department.

Indiana Access to Public Records Act

§5-14-3-1 et seq.

The Indiana Access to Public Records Act is a series of laws designed to guarantee that the public has access to public records of government bodies at all levels. Public records are defined as essentially any information created, maintained or filed by government agencies. Exemptions include trade secrets, confidential information received upon request, academic research, licensing information, medical records, anything declared exempt by the Supreme Court, autopsy photos or videos, social security numbers, law enforcement investigations, attorney information, personal files of employees, names of charitable donors, security measures for telecommunications, schools, and general infrastructure, correctional officer information, complaint information within law enforcement agencies, contact information for utility employees, or labor negotiations.

Any person can request public records in Indiana and no request may be refused due to a lack of statement of purpose. Record cannot be used for commercial purposes except if it is news publications, academic research, or non-profit organization activities that are using the information. The Indiana statute allows for seven days to acknowledge Indiana Access to Public Records Act requests if the request is mailed or sent by facsimilie or email. "If a requestor is physically present in the office of the public agency or makes a request by telephone or requests enhanced access to a document, the public agency must respond to the request within 24 hours after any employee of the agency receives the request." (From Indiana's Public Law Access Handbook)

Do Not Call No. 1736627766 - 870244151

Date of Offense

Offense(s)

Official Statement

Indiana

Peace OfficerBill of Rights

Indiana Access to Public Records Act

Peace Officer
Bill of Rights