BOONE COUNTY, Ind. -- New jailhouse pictures that appear to glorify and praise the man accused of murdering Boone County Sheriff's Deputy Jacob Pickett have appeared on the internet.
"Outright despicable. It makes me sick to my stomach that this can reach social media," said Boone County Sheriff Mike Nielsen.
The pictures show 21-year-old Anthony Baumgardt and his fellow inmates laughing and posing.
"He's not only celebrating with people in jail. I don't know if he is celebrating the crime, but it doesn't seem to bother him. That is what hurts me the most. That is what hurts people who have seen this," said Sheriff Nielsen.
One image even describes Baumgardt as a "Hoosier Hero".
"I don't like hearing that. It makes me uncomfortable. Because I don't know why anyone would call him a hero," said Sydnie Graves, Boone County resident.
"I'm kinda old school. It breaks my heart," said Mike Holt, Boone County resident.
Baumgardt is behind bars in Hamilton County. According to the sheriff there, people visit inmates by video and they can share pictures with those they visit with.
"He has rights we have to honor like we have to honor with any other pre-trial inmate. We are gonna monitor the situation. Monitor Mr. Baumgardt's activities," said Hamilton County Sheriff Mike Bowen.
Baumgardt's attorney, Allan Reid, told RTV6, "It is not mature, respectful behavior considering the tragic circumstances of this case. And I will talk to him about it."
Baumgardt is being held without bond at the Hamilton County Jail. His next pre-trial hearing is May 16.
READ | Anthony Baumgardt: "No remorse" for what happened to Deputy Pickett, man he's accused of shooting | Father of deputy shooting suspect says it "was a monster" who shot Deputy Pickett| Court records detail Deputy Pickett suspects' criminal history
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