A Columbus Division of Police officer was arrested Wednesday after a woman told investigators he strangled her multiple times inside their Hilliard-area home, according to court records. She told authorities she lost consciousness during the first alleged attack, then later left the residence to seek help at the Hilliard Police Department. The officer was taken into custody yesterday and now faces a criminal charge in Franklin County.
Documents reviewed by 10TV state that the woman told investigators the officer pushed her onto a bed, climbed on top of her and put both hands around her neck until she blacked out. The filings say he then strangled her two more times, struck her with a piece of leather and threatened to kill her, and that he kept her cellphone from her so she could not call for help. Court documents describe visible injuries, including a bleeding nose and blood on the carpet.
Public payroll and personnel listings show a Timothy M. Fuller listed as a police officer with the City of Columbus. GovSalaries includes a Timothy M. Fuller on the city's 2023 payroll for the Columbus Division of Police. Those public records indicate he has been employed by the department but do not specify his current administrative status.
Charges and court schedule
Franklin County municipal filings list Fuller charged with one count of strangulation, and he was arrested after the alleged June 16 incident, according to 10TV. The outlet reports he was scheduled for arraignment Thursday morning in Franklin County Municipal Court, the court's website lists the courthouse at 375 S. High St. in downtown Columbus. Fuller is presumed innocent until proven guilty as the case moves through the courts.
What strangulation charges mean in Ohio
Under Ohio law, "strangulation or suffocation" is defined as impeding breathing or blood flow by applying pressure to the throat or by covering the nose and mouth. The offense can be prosecuted as a felony depending on the level of harm. Penalties vary: causing serious physical harm can be charged as a second-degree felony, while other violations are prosecuted at lower felony levels. Ohio's criminal code sets out the statute and the possible felony classifications.
An arraignment and any pretrial hearings will determine what comes next in the case, court filings remain the primary source for updates as it progresses. This story will be updated as new official records or statements become available.
