BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — A Monroe County Sheriff's Deputy and jailer has been arrested and charged with several felonies after a woman accused him of sexually battering and strangling her.
Jeffery L. Freeman, Jr., 29, was arrested Friday by State Police and charged with:
- Sexual battery (Level 4 Felony)
- Strangulation (Level 6 Felony)
- Obstruction of Justice (Level 6 Felony)
- Official Misconduct (Level 6 Felony).
The Greencastle resident previously worked as a Putnam County jailer and a Monroe County probationary deputy, ISP said.
His full chronological work history, provided by State Police, is below:
- 2013-2016: Employed as jailer for the Putnam County Jail
- 2016-2020: Employed as a merit deputy for the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office
- 2020-2023: Employed in the private sector
- Jan. 2024: Employed as jailer for Monroe County Jail
- March 2024: Employed as a probationary deputy for Monroe County Sheriff’s Office
The charges against Freeman reportedly stem from a late-night encounter he had earlier this week with a woman in Columbus. ISP said Columbus police were called late Tuesday night by a female victim who wanted to report a sexual battery.
ISP was forwarded the information by Columbus police and detectives interviewed the victim on Thursday. After Freeman was identified as the suspect, State Police notified Monroe County Sheriff Ruben Marte about the allegation and said his Office is now fully cooperating.
While conducting an "administrative review" of the incident, police said that the Sheriff's Office reportedly learned of a second policy violation involving another female victim. ISP is now investigating that incident as well.
After gathering evidence against Freeman, ISP troopers arrested him Friday without incident and he was booked into the Monroe County Jail. He has since been transferred to the Morgan County Jail. He has also been fired by the Monroe County Sheriff's Office.
Detectives said anyone who may have had "questionable or inappropriate interactions" with Deputy Freeman should call ISP at (812) 332-4411. To remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at (317) 262-TIPS.