SHELBY COUNTY — A master trooper with the Indiana State Police has been accused of one count of perjury and one count of official misconduct in regard to a sentencing hearing in Shelby County Court.
Master Trooper Jeremy Basso, who has served as a trooper for 18 years, is accused of conveying false information during the sentencing hearing, according to the state police.
The sentencing hearing was held March 16 for a suspect who was previously found guilty of driving while intoxicated and crashing into Basso’s parked police car in a construction zone on I-74 near Shelbyville June 18, 2021.
During the onset of the investigation, a special prosecutor was requested by the Shelby County Prosecutor’s Office to oversee this case. Ripley County Prosecutor Richard Hertel was selected and has been engaged with Indiana State Police investigators throughout this process. Earlier today, Hertel requested an arrest warrant through the Shelby County Court for one count of perjury, a Level 6 felony and one count of Official Misconduct, a Level 6 felony. Those arrest warrants were subsequently granted by a judge and have been served. Basso was arrested earlier this evening and booked into the Shelby County Jail.
Since an arrest has been made, any inquires about this case should be directed to Special Prosecutor Richard Hertel of Ripley County.
This arrest was based upon probable cause of a crime, all suspects are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court. Basso has been placed on administrative leave without pay.
