Federal case to proceed against Elkhart cops in beating case

Indiana prosecutors are setting aside their case against two police officers who were caught on video repeatedly punching a handcuffed man so that a federal case against them can proceed.

The Elkhart County prosecutor’s office announced Thursday that state charges brought last year against Cory Newland and Joshua Titus are being dismissed after a request from federal prosecutors.

A federal grand jury in March indicted the Elkhart police officers on a charge of depriving Mario Ledesma of his rights through excessive force. Police video shows them punching Ledesma after he spat at Newland while sitting handcuffed in a chair at the police station in January 2018.

Newland and Titus were placed on unpaid administrative leave after the federal indictment.