In a recent development, a federal grand jury has indicted Nicholas Duty, a Columbus police officer, for purportedly tampering with records linked to criminal investigations. The indictment was announced by United States Attorney Kenneth Parker.
According to the charges, Duty, aged 35 and hailing from Commercial Point, faces two counts of destroying or altering records associated with a criminal investigation. The indictment outlines that Duty stands accused of intentionally destroying, altering, or falsifying records by deactivating or removing his police body camera on two separate occasions. These incidents allegedly occurred on October 31, 2023, and March 22, 2024.
Federal investigators assert that Duty deactivated or removed his body camera during interactions with two women, including during a sexual encounter, while on duty in a marked police vehicle and wearing an official police uniform. It’s noted that Duty was obligated to adhere to Columbus Division of Police protocols regarding the wearing of body cameras.
Moreover, the indictment suggests that Duty’s actions were aimed at impeding, obstructing, or influencing a federal investigation.
Duty is slated to make an appearance in federal court on Friday afternoon to address these charges.
