According to the indictment, on June 1, 2007, Houston and Branson unlawfully entered and searched a home in Gary, Ind. Houston then assaulted three people and had them arrested and detained, without probable cause, until June 4.
The incident was reportedly in relation to a break-in at Houston's home on June 1.
The indictment further alleges that on June 1, Sgt. Decanter struck one person with a piece of wood causing bodily injury, while Deputy Chief Branson failed to protect the person from the assault. When being questioned by the FBI several months later, Branson made a number of false statements about the incident.
Gary Mayor Rudy Clay told the Chicago Tribune that the officers all had "exemplary records" and that Branson had a 100-percent conviction rate as a homicide investigator.
Scott King, an attorney for Branson, told the paper that the indictment was "one-sided" and that his client has not had a chance to defend himself. "It's the bottom of the first inning, and the home team didn't have a pitcher," King said.
If found guilty of all six counts, Houston faces a maximum punishment of 24 years of imprisonment. Branson, if found guilty of the two counts he is charged with, faces a maximum punishment of 16 years of imprisonment, and Decanter, if found guilty, faces a maximum punishment of 10 years of imprisonment.
All three defendants were released on $20,000 recognizance bonds. They were allowed to remain on duty and retain their service weapons.
