Assault suspect turns self in

Charges have been filed in the assault of an IU Police Department officer outside an IU football game last year. A non-student turned himself in at the Monroe County Sheriff's Department after a warrant was issued stemming from the November incident. \nBenjamin J. Repp, 24, of Noblesville, Ind., was charged with two felonies -- Battery Class C and Battery Class D -- Thursday, before bonding out the next day.\nThe incident occurred after the Old Oaken Bucket football game between IU and Purdue Nov. 22 of last year. IUPD officer Brian Oliger was attempting to break up a fight in the parking lot when he was struck in the back of the head with a beer bottle, causing a one-inch laceration and requiring staples. Pepper spray was used to break up the crowd and Oliger was taken to Bloomington Hospital.\nIUPD Lt. Jerry Minger said Noblesville Police convinced Repp to turn himself in Monroe County, saving much of the hassle of extraditing a suspect from another county. He said it's satisfying to have a suspect in the case. \n"I think that is one of the intermediate goals of the investigation and it was satisfying reaching that plateau when you actually find the person identified as a suspect," he said. "To actually find somebody, get them identified and get them charged and get a probable cause affidavit to have a warrant, it was very satisfying as a goal of the investigation. The final step will be a hearing and the person will be sentenced. That will be a very positive completion."\nAccording to Indiana state law, the Class C charge is issued if the violation "results in serious bodily injury to any other person or if it is committed by means of a deadly weapon" and a Class D charge is specific to causing bodily harm to a law enforcement officer.\nMinger said the actual sentencing will depend on a number of factors.\n"As sentencing goes for different crimes, they have mitigating and aggravating circumstances and then it gets left up to the judge," Minger said. "It's not as easy as saying 'Class C felony, you get this much time.'"\nDean of Students Richard McKaig said he was pleased the suspect wasn't an IU student. \n"Honestly, it is (pleasing)," he said. "In a broader picture though, it's disturbing it would occur at all. I'd like to think it should never happen, so I don't know if I would call it pleasing. But I'm happy it wasn't one of our kids."\nMcKaig said the incident was a wake-up call for the University and will spur some changes next year in University and athletic department tailgating policy.\n"We obviously want to talk on this incident," McKaig said. "The whole atmosphere is an issue that needs more conversation next year to make sure there isn't a repeat."\nMinger said anyone with further information about the case can contact IUPD at 855-4111.\n-- Contact campus editor at glesnick@indiana.edu.