By Carmen Ensinger
A Greenfield man has been charged in Greene County Circuit Court with attempting to groom a minor.
Austin L. Bishop, 23, turned himself in to authorities Sunday morning after an arrest warrant was issued for his arrest by Greene County Circuit Judge Zachary Schmidt alleging unlawful grooming of a minor.
According to documents filed in Greene County Circuit Court on Friday, Sept. 24, on or about Sept. 2, Bishop used a cell phone to solicit a minor, under the age of 17, to distribute photographs and/or videos depicting the sex organs or engaged in sexual conduct. He requested these items via text message.
After the charges were filed, Judge Schmidt set bond for Bishop in the amount of $15,000 with 10 percent to apply. Bishop posted bond and was released. The condition of his release is that he have no contact with the alleged victim while the case is pending.
His first appearance in court is scheduled for November 1.
Bishop is well known in the Greenfield community, having been a volunteer assistant baseball coach before submitting his resignation on Sept. 22. He is also an IHSA official, officiating at several different types of sporting events for the past several years.
Grooming is a Class 4 Felony, punishable by a term of one to three years in the Department of Corrections, along with a fine of up to $25,000.
