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Columbus officer arrested for allegedly hitting suspect in custody

Officer John Velten is still employed by the department and has been on non-law enforcement related duties since the investigation began.
Credit: Indiana State Police
John Velten

INDIANAPOLIS — A Columbus police officer is facing charges for battery and official misconduct.

Officer John Velten is accused of hitting a suspect while that man was in custody in the back of a police car.

The investigation by state police found Velten arrested the man while responding to a fight on Indiana Avenue in Columbus. While the suspect was handcuffed in the back seat of the police car, ISP said he began banging his head against the inside. The investigation found Velten then punched the suspect, injuring him.

After the investigation, Velten, a 14-year veteran of the department, turned himself in to detectives.

Velten is still employed by the department and has been on non-law enforcement related duties since the investigation began.      

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