Federal prosecutors indicted an ex-Gary police commander Thursday, accusing him of coercing a minor to send an explicit picture to his iPhone.

James W. Bond, 52, is charged with sexual exploitation of a minor, receipt of child pornography, and possession of child pornography, according to a release from Acting U.S. Attorney Morris Pasqual.

He faces up to 60 years in prison.

Bond was arrested Thursday. He pleaded not guilty Thursday afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Abizer Zanzi in the U.S. District Court in Hammond.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Elie Zenner has asked for a detention hearing to determine if he will spend the case in prison. It is scheduled for Tuesday.

The teen worked for Gary’s Summer Youth Employment Program, assigned to the Gary Police Department. A brief federal indictment says the crime happened between July 2-9 and Bond was caught with at least one pornographic picture sent to his iPhone.

Bond’s lawyer Paul Stracci declined to comment further when asked if there were other potential victims, or how the arrest could affect any pending homicide cases Bond investigated that still haven’t been tried in Lake County.

“Our office is currently reviewing all pending homicide and criminal cases, in which Mr. Bond was involved,” Lake County Prosecutor Bernie Carter said in a statement. “We will take appropriate action to safeguard the fairness of each case, including a review of this officer’s involvement, if any, and its potential impact on evidence or testimony.”

Bond was “demoted and relieved” of police powers on July 12, according to Erika Blackwell, spokeswoman for Gary Mayor Eddie Melton.

He retired from the force on Aug. 19, according to Gary Police spokesman Captain Sam Roberts.

“I am shocked and disappointed to hear of the indictment of a former officer,” Melton said in a release. “The alleged actions of this individual are reprehensible and do not represent the City of Gary’s, nor my administration’s core values at all.”

“As mayor, my priority is to create a culture of safety. Once the Gary Police Department was notified, they immediately triggered an investigation into the alleged wrongdoing,” he said.

His administration “takes this matter seriously and that we will continue to cooperate with the investigating agency to ensure justice is served,” Melton said.

Gary Police Chief Derrick Cannon called the accusations “troubling” and said the department was fully transparent with investigators.

Indiana State Police Superintendent Douglas Carter and Chicago Special Agent-in-Charge of Homeland Security Investigations Sean Carter announced the indictment.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Northern District of Illinois is stepping in to prosecute, partly since Bond also worked as a Gary homicide detective for several years. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Northern District of Indiana recused itself.

Any other potential victims, or anyone with more information can call Homeland Security Investigations at 1-877-4-HSI-TIP.

mcolias@post-trib.com