A Chesterton Police officer who was already on paid administrative leave now faces additional scrutiny because of felony charges alleging he assaulted a pregnant woman on New Year’s Eve.
Ryan Joseph Miller, 32, of Portage, is charged with two Level 5 felonies of domestic battery and strangulation. The charges are felonies because the victim is pregnant, says a probable cause statement filed Friday by the Porter County prosecutor.
Portage Police were called at 9:34 p.m.Wednesday to Miller’s residence.
Miller is accused of grabbing the woman by the shoulders and throwing her against a wall. Then, Miller placed his hands around her neck and applied pressure, causing the woman to experience difficulty breathing, the court document states.
The woman told Portage Police that she is 25 weeks pregnant.
Chesterton Police Chief Tim Richardson said by text message that he is aware of the Portage case involving Miller but cannot comment.
In early December, Richardson placed Miller, who holds the rank of corporal, on paid administrative leave.
Richardson said he cannot discuss the reason why, citing the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, which restricts the release of information.
Meanwhile, Chesterton Council President Erin Collins, D-2nd, on New Year’s Day released a statement on behalf of the Town Council about the arrest. The statement didn’t name the officer.
“Allegations of this nature are taken extremely seriously. Conduct that endangers others or undermines public trust is not tolerated by the Town of Chesterton or the Chesterton Police Department,” Collins said. “The allegations will be investigated and addressed through the appropriate internal and statutory processes, including review by the Metropolitan Board of Police Commissioners.”
Since the officer was already on administrative leave, he will now remain so pending the outcome of the investigation concerning the arrest, Collins said.
Collins said there will be no further comment while the proceedings are underway. “Our focus remains on accountability, transparency and ensuring the safety and confidence of our community,” she said.
In October, the town of Chesterton and Miller were named in a lawsuit stemming from a crash involving Miller that occurred on Ind. 149 on Sept. 26, 2024. Chesterton Police officers frequently drive on Ind. 149 because it’s near the town’s western border.
Michael Dinkins stated he sustained severe personal injuries when Miller, operating a Chesterton Police cruiser, struck the rear of his motorcycle, the suit filed in Porter Superior Court says.
Dinkins accuses Miller of negligence, saying that the officer caused the crash when he “failed to slow or stop his police vehicle.”
The suit seeks compensation, noting that Dinkins has suffered permanent, disabling injuries that will limit his future earning capacity.
The town of Chesterton has yet to respond.
Richardson said the civil case has nothing to do with the decision to put Miller on administrative leave.
Miller has nine years of law enforcement experience, joining the Chesterton Police Department in 2019. He was promoted to corporal in December 2022 and had been assigned to work as an accident reconstruction specialist and field training officer.
Cpl. Miller was honored along with Chesterton Police Officer Cole Foster and Porter Police Officer with Life Saving Awards for their first aid efforts in helping a man who sustained a severe laceration on his right forearm during a disturbance on Grant Avenue on June 4.
Their decisive action in applying a tourniquet saved the man’s life. Miller didn’t attend the awards ceremony, conducted during the Dec. 11 Chesterton Police Commission meeting.
Miller is being held in the Porter County Jail. His initial hearing is set for 9 a.m. Monday in Porter Superior Court 2.
Jim Woods is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
