FISHERS, Ind. -- The state has declined to file charges against a Muncie reserve police officer who was arrested in November on rape and human trafficking charges.
Lonny Hatland, 42, was arrested in Fishers on Nov. 14 on preliminary charges of on battery, rape and human trafficking.
A chief deputy prosecutor released the following statement:
While the initial alleged facts were startling and extremely troubling, the State determined, after a complete and thorough review of the evidence, that criminal charges were not appropriate given the circumstances involved in the case.
According to a press release from the Fishers Police Department, a victim recently told detectives that she had been physically and sexually assaulted inside a home on Shoe Overlook Drive in Fishers. The victim identified the homeowner as the person that assaulted her.
The victim also said that over the past few months, the suspect had coerced her into having non-consensual sexual encounters with other men.
Detectives from the Fishers Police Department served a search warrant at a home in the 8600 block of Shoe Overlook Drive. While executing the search warrant, detectives learned the suspect was an active reserve police officer with the Muncie Police Department.
Muncie Police Chief Steve Stewart said at the time Hatland had been removed from the reserve unit.
