A former volleyball coach who appeared in a viral sting operation video back in August has been formally charged. Levi Garrett, 34, was charged with dissemination of matter harmful to minors following an investigation.
A probable cause affidavit states he allegedly sent sexually explicit photos of himself to someone he thought was an underage boy. He appeared in a viral video by YouTuber Jidon Adams, prompting an Indianapolis Metropolitan Police detective to open up a case against him.
“There are no shortcuts in the investigative process,” Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears said about the charge. “When it comes to crimes against children, justice demands that an independent investigation occur and evidence be properly obtained, so that a case is built that will hold offenders accountable in a court of law.”
Garrett was not booked into the Marion County Jail by the time of this article’s publication. His next hearing in the case will be a change of plea hearing set for Jan. 27, 2026.
The viral video uploaded to YouTube on Aug. 13, 2025, depicts Adams confronting Garrett at The Academy Volleyball Club, where Garrett was previously employed. Adams was trespassed from the property. Many online were critical of the police department for not immediately arresting Garrett since Adams had a folder of alleged evidence.
Court docs: The sting operation led to an arrest
On Aug. 14, 2025, Detective Jason Fletcher was given that evidence from Adams, who conducts sting operations to locate and confront people accused of engaging children in sexually explicit online conversations. Fletcher was told Garrett had been communicating on the social networking app, “Grindr” with one of Adams’ friend.
According to a probable cause affidavit, on March 2, 2025, Adams’ friend created a Grindr profile with the title, “Tryna have fun,” paired with a profile picture of what appeared to be a teen boy. Court documents state the image used for the account was an adult whose picture was edited to make them appear younger. According to Adams, his friend would portray herself as a 14-year-old boy.
A Grindr account’s title for Garrett read, “Hmu & find out,” according to official documents, and contained multiple pictures of himself, fully clothed and partially clothed in a bathroom.
Text messages on the app from Garrett to the fake account read, “Could use a top,” according to court records. The person behind the fake account then asked, “U mind if I’m young?” and Garret replied, “No, I don’t mind.” Messages then state Adams’ friend said, “Cool cuz I’m 14 but I down for whatever,” and Garrett liked the message.
The probable cause affidavit for Garret then states that he sent three sexually explicit images showcasing a man’s butt wearing a jock strap, a penis shaped sex toy inserted inside an anus, and a bare anus spread open with a hand.
The former volleyball instructor agreed to meet at a location in Greencastle, Indiana, but when asked specifically if he was actively driving to the location, Garrett blocked the fake account, according to court documents.
Adams gave Fletcher a July 22 video recording of him confronting Garrett at The Academy Volleyball Club, where Garrett was working. During the confrontation, Garrett admits that the images that had been shared with the fake account were of his body.
Fletcher reviewed the body-worn camera footage of Officer Joshua Keith, who was called to the scene on the report of trouble with a person.
A month after the video was recorded, Adams’ friend confirmed with police that she was acting in a decoy capacity, and further explained her role in helping Adams with the private investigative group that documents and reports online predatory behavior.
She confirmed with police that the screenshots and other digital evidence weren’t altered or fake.
Officials stated unofficial sting operations don’t work… but this one did
In the video of Adams confronting Garrett, IMPD Officer Joshua Keith, who responded to the scene, told Adams, “…I have run into this before. Our prosecutor will not touch this. So, I need probable cause that a crime has been committed.”
At the time, Marion County Prosecutor’s Office spokesperson Michael Leffler told IndyStar that the office strongly encourages individuals to report suspected incidents to law enforcement as early as possible.
Indianapolis Metropolitan Police released a statement at the time saying, “Attempting to intervene independently or record content for social media can compromise investigations and potentially endanger those involved.”
The YouTuber, who traveled to Indiana to conduct the sting operation, lives in Texas and couldn’t be reached for comment by IndyStar. Garrett also could not be reached for comment.
The charge for disseminating harmful matter to minors is a level 6 felony, which in Indiana carries a range of six months to two and a half years in prison.
If you are a victim or know someone who may have been impacted or have information on this case, IMPD encourages people to contact their sex crimes unit at 317-327-3330. Any information on separate cases can be submitted to the DCS Hotline at 1-800-800-5556 or the National Center for Exploited and Missing Children Cyber tip line: 1-800-843-5678 or report.cybertip.org.
Jade Jackson is a Public Safety Reporter for the Indianapolis Star. You can email her at Jade.Jackson@IndyStar.com and follow her on X, formerly Twitter @IAMJADEJACKSON.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Former volleyball coach charged after viral video confrontation
Reporting by Jade Jackson, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
