Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) Detective Lieutenant Officer Craig Stewart is facing serious allegations after a criminal complaint was filed against him with the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office. The complaint, which accuses Officer Stewart of official misconduct, was brought forward by Bobby Kern, a spokesman for the Center Township Constable’s Office.
The accusations stem from an incident involving the vehicle of Denise Paul Hatch, which was placed on a detective hold earlier this year. According to Kern, Officer Stewart lied when he placed the hold on Hatch’s vehicle, which led to significant legal and personal consequences for her.
Hatch was arrested in May, following what she claims was false information given by her lawyer regarding her gun rights being restored. At the time of her arrest, her vehicle was impounded, and a detective hold was placed on it by Officer Stewart. Kern alleges that this hold was improperly and falsely justified, amounting to a violation of Indiana’s laws surrounding official misconduct by public servants.
Kern, speaking on behalf of the Center Township Constable’s Office, has publicly claimed that Officer Stewart’s actions were unlawful and that he deliberately lied in order to keep the vehicle impounded. "This was a clear case of official misconduct," Kern stated, "Detective Stewart’s actions not only harmed Denise Hatch but also represent an abuse of the power entrusted to him by the people of Indianapolis."
The exact nature of the alleged lie has not been fully disclosed, but Kern indicated that evidence would be presented to the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office to support their claims. The complaint is now in the hands of Prosecutor Ryan Mears, and it is expected that the case will be reviewed for potential charges against Officer Stewart.
Denise Hatch’s case has drawn attention not only for the allegations of false information regarding her gun rights but also for the questionable handling of her property by law enforcement.
The filing of this complaint comes at a time of heightened scrutiny of police conduct in Indianapolis. Officer Craig Stewart, a seasoned member of the IMPD, has not yet made a public statement regarding the allegations. However, sources within the department suggest that an internal investigation may be underway to determine whether Stewart violated department policies or state laws.
The official misconduct charge, if pursued, could carry severe consequences for Officer Stewart. Under Indiana law, official misconduct is a Level 6 felony, punishable by up to two and a half years in prison and a hefty fine. The outcome of this case will likely have broader implications for how detective holds and impoundments are handled in the future.
This situation raises critical questions about the accountability of law enforcement officers and the protection of citizens’ rights. As the complaint moves through the legal system, all eyes will be on the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office to see how they handle these serious allegations against one of Indianapolis’s own officers.
In the meantime, Denise Hatch and her supporters are hopeful that justice will prevail, and that her property will be returned in accordance with the law. The controversy surrounding her case, combined with the new allegations against Officer Stewart, will likely keep the story in the public eye for some time.
Stay tuned as more details emerge.
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