IMPD officer faces 4 felony charges

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - IMPD Officer David Butler is suspended from the police force, now formally charged with two counts of robbery and two counts of official misconduct, all felonies.

Investigators believe there could be more victims.

“It’s very hurtful, very hurtful,” Butler said of the charges as he left the courtroom Thursday. “In my 23 years, I've never been accused of anything like this.”

The 51-year-old officer is accused of abusing his power more than once to steal hundreds, even thousands, of dollars from those he pulled over.

“I am innocent of these charges,” Butler said. “I would never do anything to disrespect the badge, this department or my family.”

Prosecutors say, during a January traffic stop, Butler told the man he pulled over to get out of his truck but leave his wallet and cell phone behind.

The man was told to wait by the rear of his truck while Butler searched inside.

The man said he later realized $700 was missing from his wallet.

“We want to look at the evidence first,” Butler’s attorney, Robert Turner said. “Examine every bit of the evidence, witness statements. I understand there's a video.”

Surveillance video, prosecutors say, captured the crime at a west side gas station.

But this not an isolated case.

Records note a similar robbery last September.

The officer's technique was the same, only this time $1,500 was gone.

Both men told investigators they were threatened if they talked.

Now, Butler is suspended without pay and ordered to have no contact with at least nine people involved, from the men pulled over to IMPD officers now investigating one of their own.

Before his court appearance Thursday, IMPD sent 24-Hour News 8 a request, asking that Butler’s face not be show on TV.

The request read, in part, “The investigation of officer Butler is still very much ongoing... We still have photo line ups to show to several more potential victims. If his face is shown on TV, it will totally kill any chance for additional victims and their case."

Butler's case is scheduled for trial on July 18.

Each robbery count carries a maximum of 8 years in prison.

Each official misconduct charge carries a maximum of 3 years in prison.

He is out of jail on bond.