A Democratic candidate for the Indiana House of Representatives is facing a felony charge after Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith’s Newburgh town hall spiraled into physical confrontations that continue to raise questions about law enforcement conduct.
Warrick County prosecutors filed a Level 6 felony charge of battery against a public safety official against Kellie Moore, 41, who is running for the District 64 seat. Deputies allege Moore struck Warrick Sheriff’s Deputy Dan Bullock while he was forcing another attendee from the meeting.
Moore flatly denies the accusation. The incident followed Bullock’s controversial takedown of Amanda Bennett, 38, who had argued with Beckwith before being asked to leave. Video shows Bennett walking toward the exit under her own power before Bullock tackled her to the ground. Deputies later charged her with felony battery against an officer and misdemeanors of resisting and disorderly conduct, citing security footage they say shows Bennett push Bullock first. In Moore’s own video, however, Bennett insists the deputy initiated the physical encounter.
Chaos escalated as attendees recorded the confrontation. Near the exit, video from the Courier & Press shows Bullock shoving another woman aside, sending her sprawling to the floor. Deputies later claimed the woman fell on purpose—an explanation she disputes, saying she sought medical attention that night.
According to affidavits, Moore then began yelling at Bullock and “struck him in an aggressive manner.” Deputies say video confirms contact. But a reporter’s footage reviewed by the Courier & Press shows Moore briefly extending her arm in the aftermath, without clearly making contact.
Sheriff Mike Wilder has defended his deputies, saying an internal review found they followed department policy. Critics argue the footage shows an escalating pattern of unnecessary force.
Moore is the third person charged after Beckwith’s town hall, joining Bennett and 40-year-old Matthew Eike, who faces misdemeanor charges. Her case was filed Friday. As of Tuesday morning, court records show she has not yet appeared in court, and her name does not appear in county jail logs.