BLOOMINGTON– Detectives from the Indiana State Police Bloomington District arrested a former Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Probationary Deputy on charges related to an allegation of sexual battery.
Jeffery L. Freeman Jr., 29, of Greencastle, was arrested Friday, August 23, 2024, for the following charges:
- Sexual Battery, a Level 4 Felony
- Strangulation, a Level 6 Felony
- Official Misconduct, a Level 6 Felony
- Obstruction of Justice, a Level 6 Felony
Detectives from the Indiana State Police initiated an investigation involving Freeman after the Bloomington Post received a report from the Columbus Police Department during the late hours of Tuesday, August 21. An initial report of sexual battery was made to CPD by a female victim from Bartholomew County. CPD forwarded information to the Bloomington District, and district Detectives interviewed the victim on Thursday, August 22. Detectives notified Monroe County Sheriff Ruben Marte of the allegation involving Freeman. Following an administrative review of the incident, Sheriff’s Office Command Staff learned of a second policy violation involving Freeman and another female subject. Bloomington District Detectives are investigating this incident as well.
Freeman’s recent chronological employment history has been identified as the following:
- 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
- January 2024 employed as jailer for Monroe County Jail
- March 2024 employed as a probationary deputy for Monroe County Sheriff’s Office
The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office fully cooperated with the Indiana State Police’s investigation. Freeman was arrested without incident and transported to the Monroe County Jail, where he was booked. His custody was transferred from the Monroe County Jail to the Morgan County Jail, and his employment with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office was terminated on Friday, August 23.
Detectives request that any Monroe County citizen with questionable or inappropriate interactions and/or interactions that may have violated Indiana criminal code with Deputy Freeman, please contact the Bloomington Post at 812-332-4411.
