Columbus police officer arrested on felony charges after ISP investigation

An officer with the Columbus Police Department was arrested Tuesday on felony battery and official misconduct charges after an investigation by detectives with the Indiana State Police-Versailles Post.

CPD contacted ISP on June 17, 2020 and requested an investigation be conducted after an officer allegedly struck a suspect while the suspect was in custody in the back of a Columbus police vehicle on June. 16, said Sgt. Stephen Wheeles, Indiana State Police spokesman.

Wheeles said the investigation by ISP detectives determined that officer John Velten, a 14-year veteran of the CPD, arrested an adult male after responding to a fight on Indiana Avenue in Columbus on June. 16.

While handcuffed in the back seat of the police vehicle, the suspect began hitting his head against the interior of the police vehicle, Wheeles said. As a response, Velten struck the suspect with his fist while the suspect was still handcuffed inside of the vehicle, he said.

Velten’s actions caused moderate injuries to the suspect, Wheeles said.

At the conclusion of the investigation, the case was turned over to a special prosecutor to review the case, Wheeles said. As a result, charges of battery resulting in moderate injury and official misconduct, both Level 6 felonies, were filed against Velten.

Velten was arrested Tuesday when he turned himself in to detectives at the Bartholomew County Jail, Wheeles said.

Wheeles said that Velten has remained employed with the city in a non-law enforcement related capacity since the investigation began. The Columbus Police Department will be releasing additional information on the status of Velten’s employment with the city, he said.

For more on this story, see Wednesday’s Republic.