“Nick from Bargersville, happily married, two children. Work at a local church, and a seminary student!”
– Nicholas Jackson, accused sex offender
WWJD? Probably not attempt to hook up with an underage girl, like this elder of Grace Bible Church in New Whiteland allegedly did. Law enforcement officials say Nicholas Jackson, 39, began texting an undercover detective posing as a 14-year-old girl in a local chat room last November. According to the arrest affidavit, the Bargersville resident acknowledged the fictitious girl’s age multiple times before sending her illicit messages and photos of his genitals taken during a sexual act. Police believe he took those photos in the church.
After chatting for only two days, Jackson agreed to meet his would-be victim in a Greenwood apartment. He drove to the location but, evidently familiar with NBC’s Dateline, backed out of the encounter. Jackson later admitted going to the agreed-upon location but claimed he was there on church business. Coincidentally.
Jackson was charged with a Level 4 felony of child solicitation, a Level 5 felony for possession of child pornography with an aggravating factor, and Level 6 felony charge of dissemination of matter harmful to minors. His arrest was part of a cooperative investigation conducted by the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, Franklin and Edinburgh Police, and other assisting agencies.
Church authorities have not commented on the situation, and it’s unknown if the accused elder is still employed there. Jackson previously worked as a
substitute teacher at several local high schools, including Center Grove and Perry Meridian.
He is currently out on bond.
Indiana Infamy 
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