A 14-year veteran of the Columbus Police Department was arrested Tuesday on felony battery and official misconduct charges involving a suspect he had in his custody.
According to a CPD news release, Columbus Police Chief Mike Richardson will recommend that Officer John Velten be suspended without pay to the city’s Board of Public Works and Safety.
An investigation — handled by the Indiana State Police-Versailles Post — was requested by CPD just one day after Velten allegedly struck a suspect while the man was handcuffed in the back of the officer’s patrol car, according to an ISP news release.
According to ISP, the incident occurred June 16 on Indiana Avenue. The only incident corresponding with that date and location that are listed in police reports involve the arrest of John Robert Keith DeMerit, 40, of 1951 McKinley Avenue.
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Following a fight at a home on Indiana Avenue, just west of Cherry Street, DeMerit attempted to pull away from CPD officers Jackson Shepherd and Velten after they arrived, according to Shepherd’s probable cause affidavit. There was a struggle between the officers and the suspect before Shepherd and Velten were able to maneuver Demerit into the back of Velten’s patrol vehicle, the court document states.
The following is how Shepherd described the actions of Velten in his probable cause affidavit:
“Once inside the vehicle, I saw (the suspect) slam his head against Officer Velten’s door and window multiple times, at which point Officer Velten took action to keep (DeMerit) from further injuring himself. I then began walking to the driver’s side of the vehicle to assist Officer Velten while he attempted to keep the suspect from hitting his head against the door. I opened the rear passenger side door of the vehicle and held the suspect’s upper body against the seat, so he could not further injure himself. I observed the suspect’s lower legs kicking in the direction of Officer Velten. I then observed Officer Velten react to the kick in an attempt to stop it.”
However, the news release from the Indiana State Police described what took place in another way.
“While handcuffed in the back seat of the police vehicle, the suspect began hitting his head against the interior of the police vehicle,” the release states. “As a response, Officer Velten struck the suspect with his fist while the suspect was still handcuffed inside of the vehicle. Officer Velten’s actions caused moderate injuries to the suspect.”
A short time later, a CPD patrol supervisor was notified of the incident and completed a use of force report, said Lt. Matt Harris, CPD spokesman.
During the investigation, Velten remained employed with the city at the garage maintenance facility, Harris said. Velten was also given other non-law enforcement tasks, which is customary during these types of investigations, he said.
At the conclusion of the investigation, the case was turned over to a special prosecutor to review the case, said Sgt. Stephen Wheeles, ISP spokesman. As a result, charges of battery resulting in moderate injury and official misconduct, both Level 6 felonies, were filed against Velten. Each Level 6 felony carries a potential penalty of six months to two-and-a-half years in jail.
DeMerit accepted a plea agreement on Oct. 22 that allowed him to plead guilty to disorderly conduct at a Class B misdemeanor. The other charge of battery resulting in bodily injury was dropped.
On Dec. 22, DeMerit was sentenced to time served, as well as $185 in criminal court costs and fees, for his part in the incident.
