For The Tribune

Indiana State Police have arrested a Jennings County Sheriff’s deputy and two other Jennings County residents in connection with an August altercation near Butlerville.

Deputy Cody Low, 26, of North Vernon, turned himself in Wednesday at the Jennings County Jail after a special prosecutor filed misdemeanor charges of battery and public intoxication against him, said Sgt. Stephen Wheeles, Indiana State Police spokesman.

Low’s father-in-law, Jeffery Royse, 43, of North Vernon, turned himself in Wednesday at the jail on a felony warrant for battery with bodily injury, Wheeles said. Jeremy Littrell, 26, of Scipio, turned himself in Monday at the jail on a warrant for felony strangulation and misdemeanor public intoxication, Wheeles said.

Indiana State Police detective Kip Main investigated an Aug. 8 incident where police were asked to look into a battery reported at the Butlerville Grocery Store during a memorial motorcycle ride, Wheeles said.

The victim in the case, Jason Earl, told police he was battered by Low, Royse and Littrell, Wheeles said. Police learned Royse became angry at Earl for urinating in front of Royse’s wife, Wheeles said. The incident led to Low and Littrell allegedly battering Earl, who became injured, Wheeles said.

As a result of the investigation, Earl also was cited for public intoxication, Wheeles said.

Low, Royse and Littrell bonded out of the Jennings County Jail after turning themselves in, Wheeles said.

Jennings County Sheriff Gary Driver said Low is still a sheriff’s deputy but is currently on a leave from the department. When he returns to duty, he will probably be reassigned to the jail pending the outcome of the case.