Chase Winkle, a former Muncie police officer, is set to be sentenced for 11 federal crimes, including five counts of depriving individuals of their constitutional rights through physical abuse and six counts of obstruction of justice.

In a memorandum submitted by his defense attorney on June 20, it was argued that Winkle’s actions stemmed from his insecurities and a misguided perception of how a Muncie police officer should behave in such situations. The sentencing hearing, originally scheduled for June 27, has been rescheduled for July 31.

According to the defense attorney, Winkle’s personality did not align with the demands of being a night-shift police officer in a high-crime area. It was also claimed that he lacked proper training to handle the challenging situations he encountered. Notably, Winkle’s father, Joseph Winkle, served as the Muncie police chief during the time of the assaults leading to his son’s convictions. Joseph Winkle held the position during the mayoral terms of both Republican Dan Canan and Democrat Dennis Tyler.

While federal prosecutors have not yet submitted their sentencing memorandum, a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s office in 2021 described Winkle’s actions as involving unwarranted physical force, such as kicking, punching, knee-striking, and using a taser on arrestees.

These actions resulted in bodily injuries to the individuals being apprehended. In a motion filed in May 2021, it was revealed that Winkle and co-defendant Jeremy Gibson used excessive force, including strikes to the head, against arrestees who posed minimal or no resistance. Several arrestees suffered broken facial bones as a result.

A memo prepared by federal prosecutors for the sentencing of retired Muncie police sergeant Joseph Kresja shed light on the injuries inflicted by Winkle. One victim endured multiple fractures to their face and head, requiring their jaw to be wired shut, while another suffered a blowout fracture of the orbital bone, risking the loss of eyesight or the eye itself, as well as rib fractures and additional bruising and lacerations. The memo also suggested that Kresja’s misconduct contributed to allowing Winkle to continue terrorizing the Muncie community.

In an attempt to present a more comprehensive picture of his client’s life beyond his years as a police officer from 2016 to 2020, Winkle’s defense attorney highlighted his roles as a devoted father, supportive husband, and entrepreneur. The attorney emphasized Winkle’s involvement in various community programs, activities, and fundraising initiatives, noting the positive impact he had on the community. It was mentioned that Winkle had initiated a “ride-along” program, which garnered praise from a local resident who described him as a gentleman.

However, the defense attorney acknowledged that Winkle had been exposed to violence at a young age, having accompanied his father and other police officers on duty since elementary school. Witnessing traumatic incidents at such a tender age had a lasting effect on Winkle’s psyche, according to the attorney’s memorandum.

While recognizing that Winkle deviated from his sworn duty by inflicting pain on his victims, the attorney attributed his actions to a misguided notion of “street justice” and the influence of an upbringing steeped in an “old school” policing environment.

The defense attorney expressed hope that the forthcoming sentence would allow Winkle to return home and continue playing a significant role in raising his two youngest children.

This story originally appeared in the Muncie Star Press by Douglas Walker on June 30th 2023. Portions of this article have been generated using artificial intelligence.