A Jennings County Sheriff’s Deputy and two other Jennings County residents were arrested Wednesday in connection with an altercation that took place near Butlerville last summer.
Indiana State Police (ISP) Spokesman Sgt. Stephen Wheeles says that Detective Kip Main began the investigation on Aug. 8 when ISP were contacted to investigate an alleged battery that took place at a grocery store during a memorial motorcycle ride. The alleged victim, Jason Earl, told police that he was battered by the Deputy, 26-year-old Cody Low, along with Low’s father-in-law, 43-year-old Jeffery Royce, and 26-year-old Jeremy Littrell. The Lows are residents of North Vernon, while Litrell is listed as living in Scipio.
ISP investigators say the investigation determined that Royce allegedly became angry at Earl for urinating in front of Royce’s wife. Royce then allegedly battered Earl. A short time later, Low and Littrell allegedly learned about the earlier incident and confronted Earl, leading to another battery. Investigators say that Earl was allegedly injured during both altercations.
Wheeles says that once the investigation was completed, the case was turned over to a special prosecutor due to Cody Low being employed as a Jennings County Sheriff’s Deputy. After reviewing the case, he explains that the special prosecutor ultimately filed charges against Low, Royce, and Littrell. All three men reportedly turned themselves in to the Jennings County Sheriff’s Department.
Low was arrested on a warrant for Battery and Public Intoxication. Royce was arrested on a warrant for Battery with Bodily Injury. Littrell is facing charges of Strangulation and Public Intoxication. ISP investigators add that as a result of the investigation, Earl was also cited for Public Intoxication and will be forced to appear in court on that charge. After being booked into the Jennings County Jail, all three men were released on bond.
As of this time, there has been no comment from the Jennings County Sheriff’s Department about Deputy Low’s status with the department.