No charges against police officers accused of politically-motivated arrest

Brookville, IN — Two Brookville police officers will not be criminally charged after they allegedly arrested a citizen running for town council because they believed the man made negative comments about law enforcement.

Special prosecutor A.J. Bryson from Union County, who was appointed to the case by Indiana State Police back in August, has decided not to charge either Police Chief Terry Mitchum or Officer Ryan Geiser.

Lt. Geiser arrested a Brookville Town Board candidate this summer on rape and drug possession charges and claimed in court that Chief Mitchum ordered the arrest.

The candidate’s attorney said the pair obtained a search warrant after claiming they smelled marijuana on the man and his friend.

The drug charge was eventually dropped and the rape charge was void because it was based on an old allegation that did not result in prosecution.

Franklin County Prosecutor Chris Huerkamp said he was disturbed by how the investigation and arrest were conducted and asked ISP to step in.

Although the man at the center of the incident was cleared, he was forced to drop out of the town board race.

(To read our previous story on this, click here)