Former New Castle Officer Now Heading to Prison

Source: (Photo by Jiri Hera/Getty.)

NEW CASTLE, Ind. — A former New Castle officer is now facing more than 12 years behind bars for abusing people in custody, among other crimes.

According to the Department of Justice, Aaron Strong “intentionally used excessive force against people in police custody on multiple occasions” during his time with the New Castle Police Department.

For example, Strong repeatedly hit a surrendered suspect with a baton, “stomped” on an inmate’s head at the Henry County Jail, and shot another inmate with a pellet – fracturing the inmate’s spine.

In October, a jury determined that Strong had also lied to try and cover his tracks, namely after the incident involving the baton. He apparently told officers that the suspect was posing a threat, and that he had not been as violent as reports indicated.

U.S. Attorney Zachary Myers says, “When criminals like Aaron Strong violate their oaths and brutalize the public, an already difficult and dangerous profession grows even more so.”

You can report civil rights violations in the Southern District of Indiana by emailing USAINS-CivilRights@usdoj.gov.