INGALLS — An investigation of an incident involving former Ingalls Fire Chief Brian Cushman and two minors uncovered sexually explicit images of him and a 17-year-old female on his phone, according to an affidavit unsealed Thursday, July 26.

Cushman, 29, was arrested earlier in July on federal charges of sexual exploitation of a child.

He was fired by Ingalls officials following an alleged June 9 incident involving two minor females, ages 17 and 14, consuming alcohol at Cushman’s home.

The 17-year-old was a cadet with the Ingalls Fire Department.

On June 13, the Madison County Prosecutor’s office requested Indiana State Police investigate allegations of underage drinking at Cushman’s home and sexual misconduct, stated the affidavit, filed July 20 in U.S. District Court in Indianapolis.

The affidavit, signed by an Christopher Cecil, an officer with the ISP and the FBI’s Indianapolis Violent Crimes Against Children Task Force, states the 17-year-old minor told investigators she and Cushman “had exchanged sexual images” and that “Cushman had engaged in sexually explicit conduct” with her.

Cecil, an ISP digital forensic examiner, also wrote in the affidavit that Cushman’s phone contained several images and videos. There were images of Cushman and the 17-year-old minor “engaged in sexually explicit conduct,” and the images showed this conduct took place on “numerous occasions.”

The earliest of the images dates to Jan. 12.

An examination of the 17-year-old’s phone found “dozens of images of Cushman with his penis exposed,” the affidavit states.

Some of the images on both phones included superimposed messages that suggested the two were in a romantic relationship, the affidavit says.

“This office will not tolerate the sexual abuse of our children by those who are supposed to lead our children from a position of trust,” U.S. Attorney Josh Minkler wrote in a press release about the case dated July 27. “Giving a child a learning opportunity, career guidance or athletic training should not come at a cost of a child’s innocence.”

The press release states that interviews led law enforcement to determine “Cushman allegedly provided alcohol” to the minors, and that he had sexual contact with one of the minors “in the course of his employment with the Fire Department.”

Indiana State Police Superintendent Doug Carter also wrote a comment in the release: “The sexual victimization of a child is a heinous crime. And in this particular case, it’s even worse the crime is alleged to have been committed by a public safety official that we encourage our youth to seek out when they need help.”

Ingalls town manager Tim Millikan, emailed comments to the media on Friday: “The town learned today of the very serious and heinous charges that have been brought against our former fire chief. The Town has full confidence that justice will be served where and when applicable. Chief Cushman was relieved of all duties with the department prior to full discovery of these charges.

“At this time, our thoughts are with all those affected by these alleged abuses.

“Our volunteer fire department has moved forward and continues to provide fire and rescue services to our residents with adequate staffing. All questions pertaining to the specifics of the case in question should be directed to the appropriate investigative body.The town has no further comment at this time.”

James Doty, an Ingalls police officer, resigned in connection with the June 9 incident. According to reports, Doty did not file a report about what took place at the fire chief’s home after he responded to the residence.

Logan Caulk, a volunteer firefighter who was reported to be at Cushman’s home the night of the incident when the police officer arrived, has been cleared of any wrongdoing, according to town officials.

The case surrounding Cushman began when local law enforcement officials learned about the June 9 incident and reported it to the town council.

Ingalls police reports indicate a relative of one of the teens allegedly involved found a 17-year-old girl in the driveway at the fire chief’s house with the smell of alcohol on her breath and a 14-year-old passed out inside the home.

According to the police report, Cushman told the relative he had been at the fire station and came home to find the two girls in his house, with the younger girl passed out. The relative noticed the younger girl had an oxygen mask around her face and saw five used oxygen tanks on the floor nearby.

The report states Cushman said he used the tanks on the younger girl; when asked why he had not called an ambulance, the report states Cushman said he wanted to try to fix the situation before it got to that point.

The report went on to state Caulk arrived with another tank of oxygen and an inhaler, and the younger girl was revived.

Doty arrived at the scene and later went to the home of the relative, the report said. That’s where Doty informed the family of one of the minors he felt he couldn’t do anything because he had not seen what happened, the report said.

The council gave authority to Chris Thompson, Ingalls police chief, to open an internal investigation into the matter. Thompson later reported the incident to the Madison County Prosecutor’s Office. The prosecutor’s office suggested the Indiana State Police take over the investigation, which led to Cushman’s arrest.

The press release from Minkler’s office states that — according to U.S. Attorney Kristina Korobov, who is prosecuting the case — Cushman could face up to 30 years imprisonment if convicted.

Staff writer Kristy Deer contributed to this report.