Former Elkhart officer pleads guilty to beating prisoner

HAMMOND, Ind. (AP) — A former northern Indiana police officer has pleaded guilty to beating a prisoner who was handcuffed to a chair.

Former Elkhart Police Department Officer Corey Newland entered the plea in U.S. District Court last week as part of a plea agreement under which he would be sentenced to 15 months in prison.

The beating captured by surveillance video occurred on Jan. 12, 2018, after a man arrested on suspicion of domestic battery spat in the direction of Newland and another officer, Joshua Titus.

Newland admitted that he knew at the time that his use of force was unjustified and unlawful.

Titus’ trial is scheduled for Sept. 19.