Aaron Jason Strong, a former lieutenant with the New Castle Police Department, has been sentenced to 151 months in federal prison. The sentencing follows his conviction on charges of using excessive force against individuals in custody and attempting to obstruct justice by misleading investigators.
Strong was found guilty by a federal jury on October 4, 2024, of three counts of deprivation of rights under color of law and one count of witness tampering. Evidence presented during the trial showed that Strong repeatedly used excessive force against detainees.
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke from the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division commented on the case: “The severe sentence imposed on this former law enforcement official should send a clear message: ‘street justice’ has no place in 21st-century policing and violators will be held accountable.” She added that Aaron Strong's actions reflected "senseless cruelty" and had no place in modern law enforcement.
U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Myers for the Southern District of Indiana described Strong's actions as vicious, noting that he caused serious injuries including a fractured spine to three men without lawful justification. Myers emphasized that while most police officers serve honorably, cases like this damage public trust. He stated, “The serious prison sentence imposed here demonstrates that there are consequences for police brutality because no one is above the law.”
Evidence revealed that in August 2019, Strong responded to an officer’s report of a foot chase where he struck a suspect multiple times with a metal baton after the suspect had surrendered. This incident was reported by other officers, prompting an independent investigation by the Indiana State Police. During this investigation, Strong provided false information about his use of force.
Additionally, Strong was convicted for using excessive force against two detainees at Henry County jail's low-security annex. In one instance, he stomped on a compliant detainee’s head; in another instance, he shot a kneeling inmate in the back with a beanbag round at close range—an act known to potentially cause serious injury or death.
The FBI Indianapolis Field Office and Indiana State Police conducted investigations with assistance from the New Castle Police Department. Chief U.S. District Judge Tanya Walton Pratt delivered the sentence.
U.S. Attorney Myers expressed gratitude towards Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter A. Blackett and Trial Attorney Alec Ward for their roles in prosecuting this case.
Individuals with concerns about civil rights violations in Southern Indiana can report them via email or through an online form provided by U.S.A.I.N.S-CivilRights@usdoj.gov.