Editor’s note: This story includes mention of potentially triggering situations, including solicitation of a minor. Resources are available here.
Indiana University economics lecturer and director of undergraduate studies for the Department of Economics James K. Self was arrested Thursday and charged with child solicitation, a level five felony.
Bloomington Police Department Captain Ryan Pedigo said in a statement that an investigator from the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office in Florida reached out to BPD on Jan. 8 about an undercover sting operation. In October 2025, Okaloosa investigators posed as juveniles to identify people online attempting to solicit minors for sexual acts.
During this operation, Self reportedly requested nude photographs from an investigator posing as a 14-year-old boy on a social media platform, Pedigo wrote. He also made statements about wanting to meet in person and perform sexual acts.
Self then reportedly sent the investigator photos of his genitals and identified himself as a teacher at a college, Pedigo wrote.
IU spokesperson Mark Bode wrote in an email that Self was suspended and banned from IU property after the arrest but that IU does not comment on personnel matters.
At 6:45 a.m. Thursday, BPD officers conducted a traffic stop on Self’s vehicle. BPD took Self into custody and interviewed him. Following the interview, Self was transported to the Monroe County Jail and charged with child solicitation. Investigators obtained a warrant and searched Self’s residence. The investigation is ongoing.
Self sent a Canvas message to his Fundamentals of Economics lecture at 8:51 a.m. Thursday, cancelling the class due to “an emergency situation,” according to a screenshot obtained by the Indiana Daily Student.
According to his profile on the Department of Economics faculty page, Self is a retired lieutenant colonel in the United States Marine Corps Reserve.
