The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department has hit a bit of a rough patch lately. First, a 22-year veteran of the force was arrested for being the proud owner of a weed growing operation, and now a second officer is in trouble.
This time for squeezing a man’s genitals.
The alleged incident occurred Feb. 10 when multiple IMPD officers, including Travis Lewis, responded to a reported burglary in progress on the 8200 block of E. 21st St. Although officers determined there was no burglary, 43-year-old Paul Johnson, Jr. was arrested for invasion of privacy. One of the other officers present at the scene later reported Lewis used “unnecessary and excessive” force while taking Johnson into custody. Specifically, he alleged Lewis threw the handcuffed Johnson to the ground, grabbed the man’s testicles through his boxer shorts twice, and twisted them in an attempt to elicit compliance.
The report also said Johnson never forcibly resisted or posed any danger to law enforcement. He simply refused to cooperate by stiffening his legs and passively resisting attempts to put him in a squad car.
Statements from other officers present and released body cam footage appear to corroborate the accusations against Lewis. At one point in the video, Johnson can be heard asking to be taken to a hospital because “my balls is bleeding.”
The former (?) Officer Lewis faces one felony count of official misconduct and two misdemeanor counts of battery with bodily injury in connection with the incident. He is currently suspended without pay pending a recommendation for termination.
Indiana Infamy 