Indiana
Indiana football: Curt Cignetti doesn’t rule out making more position changes for 2024
Indiana coach Curt Cignetti on importance of Purdue rivalry
Indiana football coach Curt Cignetti explained his comments at an IU basketball game addressing Purdue and the top teams in the Big Ten Conference.
BLOOMINGTON — Indiana football’s new staff moved swiftly to reshape the roster for a program that’s won just nine games over the last three seasons.
The Hoosiers brought in more than two dozen transfers, but the coaches also shifted around some key personnel that opted to stay in Bloomington during spring practice. The most notable changes were shifting linebacker Jacob Mangum-Farrar to defensive end and corner Nic Toomer to safety.
Indiana coach Curt Cignetti didn’t have any further changes to announce at Big Ten Media Days last week — ”nothing earth shattering in terms of position changes” — but was also non-committal whether or not those position changes will stick for Mangum-Farrar and Toomer.
“As of today, yes,” Cignetti said.
More: Can Indiana football receiver E.J. Williams overcome his ‘biggest nemesis’ this fall?
Why so coy? Cignetti wants to see both defenders show a bit more consistency when call camp opens next week.
“I thought both those guys came out of spring, learned a new position and had some good moments,” Cignetti said. “The one thing I’ll say when you are introduced to new stuff in spring ball — you are a lot better in the last half of spring, but when you come back for August camp, the amount of improvement now guys are just playing and not thinking.”
Mangum-Farrar started in the spring game alongside Mikail Kamara at defensive end. He will have to beat out Lanell Carr, who is healthy after sitting out the spring with an injury, to keep that spot.
The Hoosiers need Mangum-Farrar to be productive whether he wins the starting job or not. They didn’t add a defensive end during the spring window and didn’t have any experienced depth beyond Kamara and Carr.
He had 62 tackles last season (33 solo) with four tackles for loss, four pass breakups and 21 quarterback pressures. Farrar got more experience rushing the passer last year for IU (94 pass rush reps) than he had over three seasons at Stanford (31 pass rush reps).
Toomer ran with the second-team defense in the spring game. He’s played 1,016 snaps on defense with 880 of those coming at corner. He earned the second-highest coverage grade among IU corners last year (66.0), according to Pro Football Focus.
The 6-foot-2, 194-pounder had 26 tackles (22 solo) with an interception and three pass breakups.
He’ll be competing for playing time in the coming weeks against Shawn Asbury II, Josh Sanguinetti, Bryson Bonds, Amare Ferrell and Terry Jones Jr.
Michael Niziolek is the Indiana beat reporter for The Bloomington Herald-Times. You can follow him on X @michaelniziolek and read all his coverage by clicking here.
Indiana
DCS contractor accused of child sex crimes in Indiana, Illinois
(WXIN/WTTV) — A man who is reportedly a local hospital chaplain and contract worker for the Department of Child Services is now facing felony child sex crime charges in both Indiana and Illinois.
Jose Briseno, 60, is currently being held in Marion County Jail on charges of child exploitation and possession of child sex abuse material. He also faces one count of internet child solicitation as a Level 5 Felony in Tazewell County, Illinois.
While court documents state that Briseno lives in a home on the north side of Indianapolis, his jail booking information states that he is a Mexican citizen. Court documents filed last week in Marion Superior Court 35 detail how he has previously worked for several child services groups.
Indianapolis police began investigating Briseno on June 3 when authorities in Illinois sent a tip that a man living in Indy may be involved in child sex crimes. The tip stated that the suspect was previously contracted to work with Illinois DCFS and had since moved to Indianapolis.
The suspect was later identified as Briseno, who had reportedly helped transport children to parental visitations while working for DCFS. It is during this time that Briseno allegedly met the 15-year-old girl he is now accused of soliciting nude photographs from.
Briseno is said to have contacted the teen girl over social media apps with the username “tanman1966,” the suspect’s birth year. While pretending to be a younger man named Pablo, the 60-year-old allegedly convinced the victim to send explicit images over text.
When the girl realized she had actually been communicating with Briseno, she said she tried to block him. However, Briseno allegedly threatened to disseminate her nude photographs and forced her to produce more child sex abuse material, all while sending explicit material of his own.
This alleged solicitation all occurred after Briseno had moved to an Indianapolis home near 86th Street and Ditch Road, according to court documents. Investigators later matched the IP address to his residence on Kings Cove Court and brought Briseno in for questioning.
The suspect reportedly told police that he was employed as a hospital chaplain with Gentiva as well as a case manager with the Indiana Department of Child Services. DCS officials confirmed to FOX59/CBS4’s Angela Ganote that Briseno was contracted but never employed by DCS.
Court records state that, over the past few years, Briseno has worked as a pastor for First Christian Church, First Christian Church of Mason City Inc, and West Union Christian Church in Illinois. He has also worked for DCS contractors in Indiana and Illinois.
While attempting to track down Briseno, investigators reportedly found that he was working for a hospice care center in Terre Haute. A Facebook post reviewed by FOX59/CBS4 shows that a man named “Chaplain Joe,” or “Mr. Mariachi,” was employed at Southerncare, Inc. Research as recently as May 22.
Online jail records show that Briseno was booked last Tuesday, June 9, into the Marion County Adult Detention Center. The court has since set a $5,000 cash bond.
Online court records show Briseno was charged last Friday, June 12, with Possession of Child Sex Abuse Material as a Level 6 Felony. An initial hearing was reportedly held on Monday afternoon in front of Judge Charnette Garner. A pre-trial hearing is now scheduled for July 27.
Indiana
Two killed in southern Indiana when car hits semi head-on in no passing zone
DEARBORN COUNTY, Ind. (WANE) Two people died in a crash Sunday morning in southern Indiana. Police believe weather and alcohol may have been factors.
The crash took place at around 3:30 a.m. on U.S. 52 in Dearborn County according to a press release from Indiana State Police.
The initial investigation determined that a 2020 Honda Civic, being driven by Kelis Manuel, 22, of Fairfield, Ohio, was traveling westbound on U.S. 52, just west of State Road 46. In a no passing zone, Manuel attempted to pass a pickup truck hauling a trailer. Manuel’s vehicle collided head-on with a semi that was traveling eastbon US 52.
The semi driver was taken to a hospital for treatment of minor injuries. Manuel and an unidentified rear passenger in her vehicle were transported to Cincinnati area hospitals for treatment of life-threatening injuries.
A front seat passenger in Manuel’s vehicle, identified as Kimora Manuel, age 21, Cincinnati, Ohio and a rear seat passenger, Le’Marea Holmes, 22, also from Cincinnati, both lost their lives in the crash. They were both pronounced deceased on the scene by the Dearborn County Coroner’s Office.
Alcohol is believed to be a factor in the crash. Toxicology tests are pending. Heavy rain in the area at the time may also have been a contributing factor.
Indiana
21-year-old Indiana man shot, killed near Ford City Mall, Chicago officials say
CHICAGO (WLS) — A man from Indiana was shot and killed near Chicago’s Ford City Mall this weekend, officials said.
The shooting happened around 2:50 a.m. Saturday in the 7600 block of South Cicero Avenue, Chicago police said.
ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch
The victim, a 21-year-old man, was standing outside at the location when a male offender with a firearm shot him in the head, police said.
The man was taken to a hospital in critical condition. The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office later confirmed the man died due to his injuries.
SEE ALSO | At least 18 shot, 5 fatally, in weekend gun violence across Chicago
The victim was identified as 21-year-old Martin Isaac Cantu Murillo of South Bend, Indiana, the medical examiner’s office said.
No further information was available as Chicago police continue to investigate.
INTERACTIVE SAFETY TRACKER Track crime and safety in your neighborhood
Copyright © 2026 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.
-
Technology5 minutes agoInside the fight over Claude Mythos 5
-
World8 minutes agoRussia linked to arson attacks on properties connected to UK PM Keir Starmer, police say
-
Politics13 minutes agoTrump admin puts alleged ‘birth tourism’ scheme on notice as expert delivers warning to hospitals
-
Health20 minutes agoTV news anchorman reveals he has Alzheimer’s during final night helming broadcast
-
Sports23 minutes ago2026 World Cup Golden Boot Odds: Mbappé Favored, Havertz Surges
-
Technology28 minutes agoSmart street sensors could be watching your city next
-
Business35 minutes agoMeet the Beverly Hills jeweler who crafted the Seattle Seahawks’ Super Bowl ring
-
Entertainment37 minutes ago
Jelly Roll and Bunnie XO are calling it quits: Country star files for divorce