INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana State Rep. Dan Forestal, D-Indianapolis, was arrested early Thursday morning after allegedly battering police.
Forestal was preliminarily charged with two counts of battery on a public safety official, five counts of resisting law enforcement and one count of disorderly conduct, according to an incident report from Eskenazi Hospital Security. Formal charges have not been filed, according to online court records.
He was placed under immediate detention by an Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officer around 12:25 a.m. Thursday after they responded to check the welfare of a person call, according to an IMPD incident report.
Additional details on the incidents have not yet been released.
Forestal was arrested in August 2019 and charged with impersonating a police officer, resisting law enforcement and operating a vehicle while intoxicated, according to online court records.
He has not yet been sentenced in the case. A change of plea hearing is scheduled for June 23, according to online court records.
PREVIOUS | Docs: State rep asked bar patrons about cocaine before drunken driving arrest
Forestal was a firefighter with the Indianapolis Fire Department, but recently retired, IFD Battalion Chief and Public Information Officer Rita Reith said in an email Thursday night.
In February, Forestal said in a statement he would not run for reelection to focus on his mental health.
"Ultimately, I’ve decided that it’s time for me to focus on my health at this time," he said in the statement. "I hope that we as a society continue to work together to shatter the stigma around mental health issues.”
PREVIOUS | Indiana Democratic Rep. Dan Forestal will not run for reelection amid legal issues
Marion County Sheriff Kerry Forestal, the uncle of Dan Forestal, released the following statement Thursday evening on Dan's recent arrest.
My family and I are extremely saddened by the most recent conduct of my nephew, Daniel Forestal. Words fail to describe the pain and helplessness felt by witnessing someone you love face such tremendous struggles. However, it is a pain that is shared by countless other families. As a community, we must do more on the physical addictions and mental health front as part of the ongoing discussions with law enforcement reform. I will continue to work collaboratively with and I also challenge our medical providers and professionals to fill the void that is thrust upon law enforcement officers who are not health care providers, but too often must fill that role. With regard to Daniel’s criminal charges, I’m confident that it will be handled appropriately within the criminal justice system.
