A police officer in Duluth, Minnesota, faces misdemeanor assault charges for punching an Indian man who uses a wheelchair.

Police video shows officer Richard Jouppi, 35, hitting Anthony Jon Jackson in the face and throwing him to the floor of a detoxification center. The September 21 incident warrants harsher charges, Indian leaders said at a protest yesterday.

"We, the indigenous native community, demand that Jouppi’s charges be increased to a felony level, inflicting great bodily harm on a vulnerable adult," said Ricky DeFoe of the Duluth American Indian Commission, The Duluth News Tribune reported.

Jouppi was charged with fifth-degree assault and disorderly conduct. He has been placed on administrative leave.

Get the Story:
Alleged police assault prompts American Indian rally (The Duluth News Tribune 10/9)
Duluth Native Americans Demand Felony Charge Against Duluth Police Officer (Northland's NewsCenter 10/8)
Group Criticizes Duluth PD After Alleged Officer Assault (WDIO-TV 10/8)