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Indiana father who drove his truck into shallow river, let 2-year-old Emma Sweet drown gets 40-year sentence

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Indiana father who drove his truck into shallow river, let 2-year-old Emma Sweet drown gets 40-year sentence

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An Indiana man will spend four decades behind bars after driving his truck into a shallow river under the influence of marijuana and methamphetamine — although bystanders were able to rescue the father, his 2-year-old daughter, Emma Sweet, drowned in the vehicle. 

Jeremy Sweet, 41, was sentenced to 30 years in prison for neglect of a dependent and an additional 10 years for a habitual offender enhancement on Tuesday after pleading guilty to both charges, WRTV reported. 

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Emma likely died some time on Thanksgiving Day in 2021. She and her father were last seen together on Nov. 24, 2021, and reported missing the next day, according to an affidavit of probable cause. 

Emma Sweet was reported missing after her father picked her up from her mother’s on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 24, and never returned. Her body was found by divers on Nov. 26 in the White River. (Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office)

INDIANA GIRL EMMA SWEET’S DEATH DECLARED DROWNING, HOMICIDE: CORONER

After Sweet was rescued from the truck by duck hunters on Nov. 26, 2021, he told investigators that he had taken a friend to work, got lost in some fields, took a wrong turn on a dirt road and accidentally fell into the east fork of the White River.

The two-year-old’s body was recovered by divers days later on Nov. 28, Fox News Digital previously reported, and likely died on Thanksgiving. The river was between three and five feet deep where the truck was submerged, law enforcement determined, and they believe Sweet drove his vehicle into the body of water from an embankment 15 to 20 feet above the river.

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The girl’s official cause of death was described as “complications of hypothermia and asphyxia due to drowning,” and was ruled a homicide, FOX 59 reported. 

Sweet, 41, was later charged with two felonies: neglect of a dependent resulting in death and unlawful possession of a syringe, according to the station. At the time he was pulled from the water, he was out on bond for unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon as well as possession of methamphetamine, the sheriff’s office said.

Jeremy Sweet, 41, pleaded guilty to one count each of neglect of a dependent resulting in death and a habitual offender enhancement for drug crimes on Tuesday. (Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office)

INDIANA GIRL, 2, FOUND DEAD IN RIVER DAYS AFTER SHE VANISHED WITH FATHER

In an interview with detectives the day after his daughter’s body was discovered, Sweet admitted that he was high on meth and marijuana when he drove the car into the river. 

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He then gave multiple differing accounts of what happened. In one version, Sweet told investigators that he dropped his daughter off somewhere before the truck went into the water. Later, his story changed, and he admitted that the girl was in the car at the time. 

Investigators said that the river was three to five feet deep where the truck was submerged, and believe that Jeremy Sweet drove the vehicle into the river from an embankment 15 to 20 feet high.  (Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office)

FATHER OF INDIANA GIRL, 2, FOUND DEAD IN RIVER GAVE ‘CONFLICTING STORIES,’ HELD BY POLICE: REPORT

“Jeremy said that water was coming into the truck, so he put Emma on the hood or roof of the truck,” the affidavit read. “Jeremy said that he and Emma fell into the water.”

In another version, Sweet said that he grabbed his daughter and climbed onto the roof of the truck before falling into the water. Then, Sweet said, he put his daughter on the roof alone and fell asleep. When he woke up, the girl was gone, he said. 

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Sweet said he last saw the girl on the roof of the truck “yelling for her mom,” the Indianapolis Star reported. 

Two-year-old Emma Sweet’s body was recovered on Nov. 28, 2021, two days after her father was rescued from the submerged vehicle. (Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office)

At the crash site, investigators saw that one of the truck’s windshield wipers were bent, appearing “as if someone had been hanging on it,” former Sheriff Matt Myers said during the search for the girl in 2021, according to The Republic.

Law enforcement later learned that Sweet had been at a Casino in nearby Shelbyville with two friends the day before the crash, and picked up his daughter from her mother in Columbus on Thanksgiving Day when her mother had to go to work. 

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At his sentencing, Sweet broke down emotionally and apologized to his ex-wife for losing their daughter. 

“There’s nothing I can say to change what has happened,” he said, according to courtroom reporting by The Republic. “But I swear to God on everything I love that I’m so sorry.”

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Illinois

Illinois man sentenced for online exploitation of York County child

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Illinois man sentenced for online exploitation of York County child


YORKTOWN, Va (WAVY) — A 31-year-old Illinois man has been sentenced after pleading guilty to exploiting a York County child online.

According to the York County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, Andres Arreola pleaded guilty to enticing a minor to perform child sexual abuse acts and using a communication system to facilitate certain offenses involving a child.

Andres Arreola (Courtesy: Virginia Peninsula Regional Jail)

The case began in April 2025 after the parent of a 9-year-old child called the York-Poquoson Sheriff’s Office about inappropriate messages they found from Arreola to the child on an online chat platform.

Investigators determined Arreola sent sexually explicit messages and images to the child and persuaded the child to send explicit images in return, knowing the victim was a 9-year-old.

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Detectives were able to identify Arreola in Illinois, where he was taken into custody. He was then extradited him to York County where he remained behind bars without bond. Detectives also recovered electronic evidence supporting the charges.

A judge ultimately sentenced Arreola to 40 years in prison, suspending 31 years and six months, leaving him with an active prison sentence of eight years and six months.

After his release, Arreola will serve 20 years of supervised probation. He cannot have unsupervised contact with minors and will be required to register with Virginia’s Sex Offender and Crimes against Minors Registry.

“The exploitation of children—whether in person or online—will not be tolerated in York County,” said Commonwealth’s Attorney Krystyn Reid in a statement.

Reid goes on to praise the investigators, prosecutors and the “the young victim and the victim’s family throughout this case. Anyone who seeks to harm a child, regardless of where they are located, should expect to be identified, brought before the court, prosecuted, and held accountable.”

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Indiana

How to watch Las Vegas Aces vs. Indiana Fever: Time, channel, stream

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How to watch Las Vegas Aces vs. Indiana Fever: Time, channel, stream


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The WNBA on NBC will kick off “Sunday Night Basketball” on July 12, when the defending-champion Las Vegas Aces face the league’s top television attraction, the Indiana Fever. (9 p.m. ET, NBC/Peacock).

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The star power is loaded for both teams, with league MVP A’ja Wilson and All-WNBA performer Jackie Young for Las Vegas, and Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell headlining the Fever.

Both teams have injury issues as Clark sat out against the Mercury on July 9 with lingering back issues. Boston returned in that victory after dealing with a leg injury.

Wilson returned to the lineup on July 9 after sitting out three games with a right ankle injury. She had 32 points against the Toronto Tempo.

What time is Las Vegas Aces vs. Indiana Fever?

  • Date: Sunday, July 12
  • Time: 9 p.m. ET (6 p.m. PT)
  • Location: Michelob ULTRA Arena

The Aces and Fever play at 9 p.m. ET on Sunday, July 12, at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas.

What TV channel is Las Vegas Aces vs Indiana Fever on today?

TV: NBC

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Stream: Peacock



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Iowa

Jamie Pollard’s bold leadership pushed Iowa State into national spotlight

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Jamie Pollard’s bold leadership pushed Iowa State into national spotlight


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When Jamie Pollard was first introduced as Iowa State’s athletics director on Sept. 19, 2005, he quickly marked his — or rather, the Cyclones’ — territory.

After unranked Iowa State football upset then-ranked No. 3 Iowa, 23-3, in that season’s Cy-Hawk game, Pollard commissioned a billboard in Hawkeye territory over in Cedar Rapids that read, “It’s a Cyclone state.”

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It was bold, unique and different. It was also indicative of what to expect from Pollard, who is unafraid to express himself, passionate about the Cyclones and from the outset had a vision for Iowa State athletics, which had long been deemed little brother to its rival in the eastern half of the state.

The billboard riled up those with Cyclone and Hawkeye allegiances. The initiative is still discussed years later and occasionally referenced.

Pollard is still around, too, although his time as an athletics director is coming to a close.

On July 10, he announced his retirement, which will be effective on June 30, 2027, or whenever Iowa State has hired his successor — whichever comes first.

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“My wife, Ellen, and I look forward to the next chapter in our life’s journey and it is important to us that we transition now, while we are both healthy and young, so we can fully enjoy our retirement years,” stated Pollard. “I am grateful to President (David) Cook for allowing me to share this news now and hopefully it will allow the university plenty of time to properly transition new leadership to our department during a transformational time in college athletics.

“When we moved to Ames in 2005, we did not anticipate the impact being a Cyclone would have on our family. The personal and professional opportunities our family has experienced during the past 21 years have been truly amazing.”

Pollard is entering his 22nd year as athletic director at Iowa State, is the longest-tenured athletic director in school history and the longest-tenured active power-conference AD in the country.

The Oshkosh, Wisconsin, native first arrived in Ames after serving as associate and deputy athletics director roles at Wisconsin from 1998-2005. He also had administrative roles at Saint Louis and Maryland.

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The nationwide search for a new athletics director is expected to begin this fall. Until then, Pollard plans on making sure his successor will be in good standing going forward.

“A big thing for Ellen and me, is there is a ‘next,’ and we want to physically and mentally be able to enjoy ‘next,’ but, at the same time, I want to make sure when that day comes, that we hand it off in as good a spot as can be,” Pollard told the Register in June. “… At some point in time, you have to transition it to whatever comes next and unfortunately, our industry, the ground’s changing under our feet as we talk. We’re going to have to figure out how to deal with that part of it, and I think a big part for Iowa State is just making sure our financial situation is as solid as it can be. It’s not clearly what it once was, but we’re never going back to those days, either.”

From upgraded facilities, key coaching hires, to recent athletics success, Cyclone and Hawkeye fans will continue the endless debate about superiority with or without the infamous billboard. But there’s no doubting the growth and change across Iowa State athletics throughout Pollard’s time as AD.

Iowa holds the edge in the all-time series records for the Cy-Hawk rivalry, but recent years have shown that the Cyclones now have a seat at the big-boy table nationally.

“I’ve been witnessing all the stuff that he’s done and I think — I don’t know technically who is going to be on the Mount Rushmore of Iowa State athletics, but I think he’s got to be there because of what he’s done for all of us,” longtime Iowa State women’s basketball coach Bill Fennelly said. “You embrace who you are, you don’t apologize for what you’re not and I think he learned quickly like, ‘Hey, we can’t change the weather here, we can’t change the population.’ We have to change our facilities, we have to make Iowa State fans really proud of who we are and what we’re about. How do we do that? He really did a great job of it.

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“You don’t stay in a job like that this long without being really good at it, but at the same time, being respected within the building.”

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Iowa State athletic director Jamie Pollard gives Cy-Hawk game update

Iowa State athletic director Jamie Pollard gives a Cy-Hawk game update.

While former athletics directors Gene Smith and Bruce Van De Velde began fundraising efforts at Iowa State, Pollard exponentially accelerated and revolutionized the Cyclones’ fundraising success.

Athletics fundraising increased from $9 million the year prior to his arrival to $53 million during the 2025-26 academic year.

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The administration invested more than $400 million in new facilities and building upgrades. Some of the most impactful completed projects include the construction of the Stark Performance Center, the Sukup Basketball Complex and the pedestrian bridge, as well as renovations to the Bergstrom Football Complex, Jack Trice Stadium and the south end zone project.

“You step foot in the facilities now, and there’s nothing to laugh at anymore,” said Dan McCarney, who coached Iowa State football from 1995-2006. “… When I walk in those facilities over there right now, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve said to my former assistant coaches I would have just loved one day, just one month, I would have loved to bring recruits and their families, former players and fans into those facilities now that have been built under Jamie’s leadership.

“There’s commitment, it is big-time. Is it the best in America? I don’t know and I don’t care. I just know it’s the best in the history of Iowa State athletics and that doesn’t just happen. You got to have vision, you got to be a dreamer and then you got to have a path and a plan to get you there, and I think that’s what will be a big part of Jamie’s legacy.”

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Iowa State athletic director Jamie Pollard on potential CFP expansion

Should the College Football Playoff expand to 24 teams? Iowa State AD Jamie Pollard shares his thoughts on the potential idea.

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Pollard made integral coaching hires, such as football coach Matt Campbell, who became the winningest coach in program history and established consistency over his decade-long run with the Cyclones before departing for Penn State.

In men’s basketball, Pollard hired hometown legend Fred Hoiberg, whose banner was hung in the rafters of Hilton Coliseum in 2010. “The Mayor” returned to coach his alma mater despite not having any prior coaching experience. Hoiberg broke a 14-year drought by leading the Cyclones to their first Big 12 Tournament title and Sweet 16 appearance in 2014. His team followed up with another Big 12 Tournament crown the following year, Hoiberg’s last before leaving for the Chicago Bulls.

Pollard made another instrumental basketball coaching hire by bringing in former assistant T.J. Otzelberger to become head coach. Otzelberger inherited a 2-22 team and restored the Cyclones into the national spotlight. The Cyclones have made the NCAA Tournament each year and reached three Sweet 16s under his watch.

Women’s basketball has been a frequent NCAA Tournament participant and won a Big 12 Tournament title in 2023.

There has also been success in Olympic sports. Wrestling also returned to national relevance with the hiring of Kevin Dresser and is now in the midst of a transition period with new head coach Brent Metcalf and the introduction of women’s wrestling. Iowa State continues to be a power in cross country and track and field. Women’s golf won its first Big 12 team title in 2026.

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Throughout Pollard’s two decades in Ames, the Cyclones have won 24 Big 12 team championships across eight different sports. They’ve registered all-time program-best finishes in nine different sports and crowned 24 NCAA individual champions. Iowa State has won four of the last five Cy-Hawk Series and 11 titles overall.

Pollard earned Division I FBS athletics director of the year honors from NACDA in 2019 and 2023.

“Excited for him, but it’s hard to see him go because it’s all I’ve ever really known is him working in college sports and especially Iowa State,” said his eldest son Thomas Pollard, the Cyclones men’s basketball director of recruiting. “Knowing how much Iowa State means to him and everything he’s put into this place, it’s hard to put it all into words.”

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Iowa State athletic director Jamie Pollard on 76-team NCAA Tournament

Iowa State athletic director Jamie Pollard on 76-team NCAA Tournament expansion.

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There were some tough times and challenges that came during the climb to improve Iowa State athletics.

Financial struggles, uncertainty surrounding conference realignment, the COVID-19 pandemic, adapting to the new age of college athletics with NIL, transfer portal and revenue share, the elimination of the gymnastics program, and the inability to retain successful coaches such as Campbell, Hoiberg, former wrestling coach and alumnus Cael Sanderson, and former gymnastics coach K.J. Kindler, who became an eight-time national champion at Oklahoma.

Some financial issues remain. Last year, Iowa State athletics projected a $147 million budget deficit through 2031, which the school said was due to the House settlement that allowed for revenue sharing with student-athletes.

However, Pollard told the Register in June that through internal decisions and alterations, Iowa State has been able to cut that deficit to approximately $75 million over the next five years.

Regardless of the obstacles, Pollard has persisted. A 22-year run as a power-conference athletics director stands out in an ever-changing college landscape, from systems to personnel.

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His retirement wasn’t a surprise to those close to him. Pollard’s ability to stay for as long as he did didn’t shock them, either.

“Number one, Jamie’s very smart,” Dresser said. “Number two, he’s very driven. And number three, I think you’ve got to have this — he’s not afraid to make hard decisions that are going to upset people. He sees the big picture and he’s got a vision. Any time you’re in charge, you’re going to hurt feelings and step on toes, and he accepted that part of his job and he might not have liked it all the time, but he did the things he had to do to make Iowa State continue to progress.”

Eugene Rapay covers Iowa State athletics for the Des Moines Register. Contact Eugene at erapay@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @erapay5.





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