Gwinnett News Report

An Indiana University economics lecturer and administrator has been arrested. They have been charged in connection with an alleged online child solicitation investigation. This is according to law enforcement records and university officials.

James Self, who served as director of undergraduate studies in Indiana University’s economics department and is a retired U.S. Marine lieutenant colonel, was taken into custody Thursday by Bloomington Police Department officers. Authorities allege that Self engaged in explicit online communications with an individual he believed to be a 14-year-old boy.

According to police documents, the investigation began after a tip was received from the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office in Florida. Investigators allege that in October 2025, Self used social media to communicate with someone posing as a minor. The messages allegedly included requests for nude photographs. They also involved the transmission of explicit images. Additionally, there were statements expressing interest in meeting in person for sexual activity.

Bloomington police said officers interviewed Self after the tip. They later executed a search of his residence as part of the ongoing investigation. He was later arrested and booked into the Monroe County Correctional Center on a charge related to child solicitation. Jail records confirm his booking, though bond and court appearance details were not promptly released.

Hours after the arrest became public, students and faculty noted activity on Indiana University’s Canvas learning platform. This activity was tied to Self’s courses. A message posted under his name announced that class had been canceled. This cancellation was described as “do to an emergency situation.” This notice quickly circulated online. It drew widespread attention for its wording. Screenshots of the post spread rapidly across social media platforms. The images accumulated tens of thousands of interactions. They did so amid student shock and speculation.

Indiana University officials responded swiftly. In a statement, the university confirmed that Self had been suspended. He was also banned from campus pending the outcome of the criminal investigation. “Indiana University takes allegations of this nature extremely seriously,” the statement said. “The safety and well-being of our students and community members is our top priority.”

University officials declined to comment further on personnel matters, citing the ongoing investigation. They confirmed that alternate instructional arrangements would be made to guarantee continuity for affected students.

Self’s professional biography had been publicly available before the arrest. It listed him as an author and educator. He also had a background in military service. After retiring from the Marine Corps, he joined Indiana University. He held a leadership role within the economics department at the time of his arrest.

Law enforcement officials emphasized that the case remains under investigation. They noted that extra charges be possible depending on the findings. No trial date has yet been announced.

As with all criminal cases, authorities stressed that the allegations stay unproven unless and until they are established in court. Self is presumed innocent under the law.

Further updates are expected as the case moves through the judicial process.