Topline: Officer allegedly entered victim’s home without consent, following weeks of unwanted contact.
Published: April 17, 2025 8:00 am ET
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Justin Keller (via KCCI)
INDIANOLA, IA — A police lieutenant in Iowa has been placed on unpaid administrative leave following his arrest on stalking charges and emerging reports of prior misconduct.
CBS affiliate KCCI reported that Justin Keller, 42, a 20-year veteran of the Indianola Police Department, was arrested Sunday near the home of a woman who has accused him of repeated and unwanted contact.
According to a criminal complaint obtained by KCCI, Keller persistently contacted the victim and was seen driving by her residence multiple times. On the day of his arrest, he allegedly entered the woman’s home without permission, an act that left her frightened, according to the report.
Witnesses also corroborated sightings of Keller’s repeated presence near the property.
To avoid a conflict of interest, the Indianola Police Department requested that the Carlisle Police Department take over the investigation. Carlisle Police Chief Matt Koch confirmed his department’s involvement in handling the case.
Following the arrest, Indianola Police Chief Brian Sher confirmed Keller’s suspension and said an internal investigation is underway.
“These are serious allegations that the Indianola Police Department and the City of Indianola do not take lightly,” Sher said in a statement.
Keller is also the subject of an ongoing civil lawsuit filed last year by a female employee of the Indianola Police Department.
According to court records, the plaintiff accuses Keller of sending her unsolicited nude photos and alleges she was subjected to workplace retaliation after rejecting his advances. The lawsuit also includes allegations that Keller sexually assaulted her during a night shift near city hall.
In a separate development, Keller claimed in a court filing that he worked part-time for the Christian Opportunity Center, a nonprofit supporting individuals with disabilities in several Iowa cities. However, Executive Director Jodi Tukker refuted that claim, stating, “Justin Keller is not currently, nor has he been in the past, an employee of the Christian Opportunity Center.”
Keller did not disclose his employment with the Indianola Police Department in that same application for a public defender.
The investigation remains active as both the criminal and civil cases proceed.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Published: April 17, 2025 8:00 am ET
Justin Keller (via KCCI)
INDIANOLA, IA — A police lieutenant in Iowa has been placed on unpaid administrative leave following his arrest on stalking charges and emerging reports of prior misconduct.
CBS affiliate KCCI reported that Justin Keller, 42, a 20-year veteran of the Indianola Police Department, was arrested Sunday near the home of a woman who has accused him of repeated and unwanted contact.
According to a criminal complaint obtained by KCCI, Keller persistently contacted the victim and was seen driving by her residence multiple times. On the day of his arrest, he allegedly entered the woman’s home without permission, an act that left her frightened, according to the report.
Witnesses also corroborated sightings of Keller’s repeated presence near the property.
To avoid a conflict of interest, the Indianola Police Department requested that the Carlisle Police Department take over the investigation. Carlisle Police Chief Matt Koch confirmed his department’s involvement in handling the case.
Following the arrest, Indianola Police Chief Brian Sher confirmed Keller’s suspension and said an internal investigation is underway.
“These are serious allegations that the Indianola Police Department and the City of Indianola do not take lightly,” Sher said in a statement.
Keller is also the subject of an ongoing civil lawsuit filed last year by a female employee of the Indianola Police Department.
According to court records, the plaintiff accuses Keller of sending her unsolicited nude photos and alleges she was subjected to workplace retaliation after rejecting his advances. The lawsuit also includes allegations that Keller sexually assaulted her during a night shift near city hall.
In a separate development, Keller claimed in a court filing that he worked part-time for the Christian Opportunity Center, a nonprofit supporting individuals with disabilities in several Iowa cities. However, Executive Director Jodi Tukker refuted that claim, stating, “Justin Keller is not currently, nor has he been in the past, an employee of the Christian Opportunity Center.”
Keller did not disclose his employment with the Indianola Police Department in that same application for a public defender.
The investigation remains active as both the criminal and civil cases proceed.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Police Lieutenant Arrested for Stalking Amid Ongoing Civil Suit Alleging Sexual Misconduct
Officer allegedly entered victim’s home without consent, following weeks of unwanted contact.
By Jacob Charles
Published: April 17, 2025 8:00 am ET
Justin Keller (via KCCI)
INDIANOLA, IA — A police lieutenant in Iowa has been placed on unpaid administrative leave following his arrest on stalking charges and emerging reports of prior misconduct.
CBS affiliate KCCI reported that Justin Keller, 42, a 20-year veteran of the Indianola Police Department, was arrested Sunday near the home of a woman who has accused him of repeated and unwanted contact.
According to a criminal complaint obtained by KCCI, Keller persistently contacted the victim and was seen driving by her residence multiple times. On the day of his arrest, he allegedly entered the woman’s home without permission, an act that left her frightened, according to the report.
Witnesses also corroborated sightings of Keller’s repeated presence near the property.
To avoid a conflict of interest, the Indianola Police Department requested that the Carlisle Police Department take over the investigation. Carlisle Police Chief Matt Koch confirmed his department’s involvement in handling the case.
Following the arrest, Indianola Police Chief Brian Sher confirmed Keller’s suspension and said an internal investigation is underway.
“These are serious allegations that the Indianola Police Department and the City of Indianola do not take lightly,” Sher said in a statement.
Keller is also the subject of an ongoing civil lawsuit filed last year by a female employee of the Indianola Police Department.
According to court records, the plaintiff accuses Keller of sending her unsolicited nude photos and alleges she was subjected to workplace retaliation after rejecting his advances. The lawsuit also includes allegations that Keller sexually assaulted her during a night shift near city hall.
In a separate development, Keller claimed in a court filing that he worked part-time for the Christian Opportunity Center, a nonprofit supporting individuals with disabilities in several Iowa cities. However, Executive Director Jodi Tukker refuted that claim, stating, “Justin Keller is not currently, nor has he been in the past, an employee of the Christian Opportunity Center.”
Keller did not disclose his employment with the Indianola Police Department in that same application for a public defender.
The investigation remains active as both the criminal and civil cases proceed.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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