Former Indianapolis teacher and composer Julian Wachner will not serve prison time after pleading guilty to possessing child sex abuse material and cocaine.

Wachner pleaded guilty Sept. 9 to five counts of possessing child sex abuse material and one count of cocaine possession. Marion Superior Judge Jeffrey Marchal sentenced him to six years of probation and gave him credit for five days in jail. Wachner must also register as a sex offender.

At a news conference Wednesday, Indy FOP President Rick Snyder questioned how the case was handled.

“The system cannot condemn the monsters who produce child sex abuse materials, while minimizing the conduct of those who seek it out, consume it, and create a demand for it,” Snyder said.

Court records and a recording of the sentencing show the prosecutor did not ask for a specific sentence, including prison time. Deputy Prosecutor Britt Nicholson told the judge the state wanted a sentence that would allow Wachner to continue making progress in treatment.

The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office later said prosecutors had pushed for a sentence harsher than the one Marchal imposed.

Snyder also questioned whether Marchal fully reviewed the evidence before sentencing Wachner.

“We asked a simple question. Did Judge Marshall review the child sex abuse materials involved, the videos Wachner possessed?” Snyder said.

Marchal told Wachner during sentencing, “You need to recognize the break you are getting,” and warned him that he would personally handle any future violation involving child sex abuse material.

Snyder said that warning was not enough.

“Judge Marshall settled for a pinky promise from a child sex offender, and now our children and our neighborhoods are left to see what happens,” Snyder said.

Snyder is also calling for greater transparency from county prosecutors. He wants lawmakers to require annual reports showing cases submitted to prosecutors, charges declined, charges filed, plea agreements, adjudications and sentences.

He also called on the chief judge of the Marion County courts to remove child abuse cases from Marchal’s docket.

Snyder questioned why local media were not allowed to publish audio from the sentencing hearing.

“How does this support transparency in our criminal justice system?” Snyder said.

State Rep. Andrew Ireland said Wednesday he plans to pursue mandatory minimum sentences when the Indiana Legislature returns in January 2027.

“I think it’s a big piece of it,” Ireland said. “We have to have safeguards with our laws to ensure that’s happening.”

Ireland also said he plans to refile legislation involving the death penalty for certain crimes against children.

“I filed a bill last year to do just that. I’m going to bring it back again this year,” Ireland said.

Wachner’s probation could end after four years if he completes it without a violation. He must also remain on Indiana’s sex offender registry for 10 years.