New Castle detective resigns over child porn charges - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

Henry County - A New Castle Police detective is facing child pornography charges. Ross Frame resigned from the force Wednesday morning after nearly 20 years of service.

The complaint was filed early Tuesday morning with New Castle Police. A mother came to police headquarters with her 17-year-old daughter claiming Detective Ross Frame had taken nude photographs of the teen and the files were on his computer.

"We had evidence presented to us that we knew that at least we had probable cause that a crime had occurred," said Chief Jim Nicholson, New Castle Police Department.

According to the Department of Justice complaint, Frame is accused of videotaping sex acts between himself and the girl, who was 16 at the time. Frame was a member of the New Castle Police Department during that time.

The department acted swiftly, first notifying the Henry County Sheriff's Department and US Attorney's office. Within hours, Chief Jim Nicholson took one of his own officers into custody.

"We in law enforcement can't look the other way. These crimes have been alleged to have occurred and he made a very bad mistake and he violated the public's trust," said Chief Nicholson.

Frame was with the department 19 and a half years working his way up from patrolman to sergeant. He was most recently a detective without any serious disciplinary issues that entire time. His arrest has come as a shock to co-workers.

New Castle Mayor Jim Small confirmed Frame's resignation was accepted.

"Since it is an ongoing investigation, it would be inappropriate for me to say anything more at this time," said Mayor Small.

A department of just 32 officers is now one less.

"You go from wanting to wake up - you know, it's a bad dream, to justice will be served and we're not above the law," said Chief Nicholson.

Frame was married but separated and had custody of his two children.

The complaint also says that officers found "numerous high quality duplications of United States $20 bills and a high quality duplication of an Indiana driver's license" among Frame's belongings.

Frame faces a minimum of 15 years and a maximum of 30 years in prison on each production count, and maximum of ten years on the single possession count, and a $250,000 fine.

Anyone with information that may be relevant to the investigation should call the ICE Tip Line at 1-866-347-2423.

The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice.

DOJ reminder: A complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.