41.5 F
Indianapolis
Friday, March 29, 2024

Two officers charged with felonies in death of Herman Whitfield III 

More by this author

Two Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers were charged with felonies for their alleged roles in the in-custody death of Herman Whitfield III. 

A Marion County grand jury indicted the officers for their alleged roles in the death April 13. An indictment is a finding of probable cause to hold a trial, according to a news release.  

“Chief Taylor respects the grand jury process. As with anyone under indictment, the officers should be considered innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law,” IMPD said in a prepared statement. “Mr. Whitfield’s death was a tragedy for all involved, and our thoughts continue to be with those impacted by his loss.”  

Whitfield III died in police custody April 25, 2022 after five IMPD officers and a trainee were called to the family’s home for an apparent mental health crisis. Whitfield died in police custody after being tased, handcuffed and held in the prone position for more than five minutes.  

His death was ruled a homicide by the Marion County Coroner’s Office last July. Whitfield died of “cardiopulmonary arrest in the setting of law enforcement subdual, prone restraint and conducted electrical weapon use,” according to a report from the coroner.

The report also lists “morbid obesity” and “hypertensive cardiovascular disease” as contributing factors in his death. 

Bond was set at $15,000 for IMPD Officers Adam Ahmad and Steven Sanchez.  

Ahmad was indicted on charges of involuntary manslaughter, reckless homicide, battery resulting in serious bodily injury, battery resulting in moderate injury and battery.  

Sanchez was indicted on two counts of involuntary manslaughter, reckless homicide, battery resulting in serious bodily injury, battery resulting in moderate injury and battery.  

All six officers involved, including Ahmad and Sanchez, remain on paid administrative duty status, according to IMPD.  

Contact staff writer Jayden Kennett at 317-762-7847 or by email JaydenK@indyrecorder.com. Follow her on Twitter @JournoJay.

- Advertisement -
ads:

Upcoming Online Townhalls

- Advertisement -

Subscribe to our newsletter

To be updated with all the latest local news.

Stay connected

1FansLike
1FollowersFollow
1FollowersFollow
1SubscribersSubscribe

Related articles

Popular articles

Español + Translate »
Skip to content