HOBART, Ind. — A Hobart Police Department corporal faces felony battery, misdemeanor battery and operating while intoxicated charges following an August 14, 2026, confrontation involving several people at a private residence in Hobart, Indiana.
Corporal Mike Gallagher, who was off duty at the time, is accused of physically assaulting a woman and her boyfriend during an altercation at the woman’s mother’s home. The allegations include punching the woman, repeatedly striking her boyfriend and causing injuries.
Gallagher has disputed the prosecution’s characterization of the confrontation through his attorney, who maintains that the officer acted in self-defense.
According to reporting published by FOX 32 Chicago on October 16, Gallagher was placed on paid administrative leave following the incident. Hobart Police Chief Garrett Ciszewski subsequently requested that the city’s Board of Public Works and Safety place Gallagher on unpaid administrative leave while criminal proceedings continue.
Criminal Charges Filed Against Gallagher
Gallagher faces three criminal charges arising from the August 14 incident:
The charges were confirmed in reporting by ABC7 Chicago and FOX 32 Chicago, citing information released by the Hobart Police Department.
The criminal allegations have not been established as facts in court. Gallagher is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
August 14 Confrontation at Hobart Residence
The incident occurred at a residence in the 1300 block of Jackson Street in Hobart.
According to information contained in a probable cause affidavit described by FOX 32 Chicago, Gallagher, his girlfriend and the homeowner had reportedly spent several hours drinking at multiple establishments before returning to the residence.
Jasmine Boesel, the homeowner’s daughter, told FOX 32 Chicago that her mother had repeatedly requested that Gallagher and his girlfriend leave the property.
Boesel said she arrived at the residence intending to speak with her mother and address the situation. She alleged that Gallagher became confrontational, yelled at her and challenged her boyfriend to a physical fight.
According to Boesel, neither she nor her boyfriend intended to engage in a physical confrontation.
Boesel alleged that Gallagher continued approaching her boyfriend aggressively, prompting her to position herself between the two men. She said Gallagher pushed her and that she responded by pushing him away.
The encounter subsequently escalated into a physical altercation involving multiple individuals.
The probable cause affidavit reportedly documents differing accounts of the confrontation, including disagreements about the sequence of events and which individuals initiated particular physical acts.
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Woman Alleges Gallagher Punched, Bit and Pulled Her Hair
During an interview with FOX 32 Chicago, Boesel alleged that Gallagher punched her in the face while her boyfriend attempted to move her away from the confrontation.
Boesel indicated that she was struck near her chin.
She further alleged that the altercation continued outside the residence, where Gallagher and her boyfriend became involved in a physical struggle.
According to Boesel, Gallagher held her boyfriend against the concrete and repeatedly struck him in the back of the head.
She stated that she attempted to intervene by placing Gallagher in a headlock to separate the two men.
Boesel also alleged that Gallagher pulled out portions of her boyfriend’s hair during the altercation.
Additional allegations described by Boesel include Gallagher biting her arm, grabbing her hair and pulling her toward the ground as she attempted to stand.
FOX 32 Chicago reported that Boesel’s boyfriend suffered a concussion and additional injuries. Boesel also reported injuries, including a bite wound that reportedly broke the skin.
These descriptions reflect allegations made by Boesel and information attributed to investigative records. The precise sequence of events and the responsibility of each participant remain disputed.
Gallagher’s Attorney Disputes Allegations and Cites Self-Defense
Attorney Michael Stewart of Stracci Law Group, representing Gallagher, provided FOX 32 Chicago with a statement disputing the state’s account.
Stewart described Gallagher as a decorated police detective with approximately ten years of service and emphasized that allegations in a probable cause affidavit do not necessarily constitute a complete account of an incident.
According to Stewart, Gallagher disputes the prosecution’s characterization of the physical confrontation and maintains his legal right to defend himself.
The attorney also emphasized that police officers, like other defendants, are entitled to constitutional protections, a presumption of innocence and the opportunity to challenge the allegations against them in court.
Stewart indicated that the defense intends to contest the charges and present its account of the events during the judicial proceedings.
Gallagher’s legal defense has not conceded that the alleged conduct occurred in the manner described by Boesel or investigators.
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Hobart Police Department Requests Independent Investigation
The Hobart Police Department reported that its officers responded to a 911 call concerning a disturbance at the Jackson Street residence on August 14.
Responding officers subsequently determined that one of the individuals involved was an off-duty member of their department.
To avoid potential conflicts of interest and preserve the independence of the investigation, the department requested assistance from the Lake County Sheriff’s Department, which assumed responsibility for the criminal investigation.
According to the department, no arrests were made on the evening of the incident.
The Lake County Prosecutor’s Office is responsible for prosecuting the resulting criminal charges.
The department has also initiated a separate internal administrative investigation concerning Gallagher’s alleged conduct.
These proceedings are distinct from one another. The criminal case addresses whether prosecutors can establish the charged offenses, while the internal investigation addresses Gallagher’s conduct and any applicable departmental requirements.
Police Chief Requests Unpaid Administrative Leave
Hobart Police Chief Garrett Ciszewski initially placed Gallagher on paid administrative leave and relieved him of his police duties while the investigations proceed.
Following the filing of criminal charges, Ciszewski requested that the Hobart Board of Public Works and Safety place Gallagher on unpaid administrative leave.
According to the department’s statement reported by FOX 32 Chicago, the board is the governmental body authorized to make that determination.
The October 16 reporting described Gallagher as remaining on paid administrative leave while the chief sought the change. Independent confirmation of a subsequent board decision was not established for this report.
Department officials also emphasized that the allegations involve an individual officer and should not reflect upon the remaining 67 Hobart police officers serving the community.
The department has indicated that it cannot provide additional information about the pending criminal and internal administrative investigations.
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Current Status: October 19, 2026
As of the latest reporting reviewed for this article, Gallagher faces three criminal charges in connection with the August 14 confrontation.
The publicly reported status is as follows:
No conviction, final disciplinary decision or resolution of the criminal charges was established in the public reporting reviewed.
The October 27 court date was reported by FOX 32 Chicago and remains subject to changes in the court’s schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Corporal Mike Gallagher?
Mike Gallagher is a Hobart Police Department corporal in Indiana. His attorney describes him as a decorated police detective with approximately ten years of service.
What criminal charges does Gallagher face?
Gallagher faces Level 5 felony battery resulting in serious bodily injury, Class A misdemeanor battery resulting in bodily injury, and Class C misdemeanor operating a vehicle while intoxicated.
Was Gallagher on duty during the incident?
No. The August 14 confrontation reportedly occurred while Gallagher was off duty at a private residence.
Has Gallagher admitted to the allegations?
No. His attorney disputes the state’s characterization of the physical confrontation and maintains Gallagher’s right to self-defense.
Has Gallagher been fired from the Hobart Police Department?
No termination has been established in the reporting reviewed. Gallagher was placed on paid administrative leave, and the police chief requested unpaid leave.
When is Gallagher’s next court appearance?
His next scheduled court appearance was reported as October 27, 2026.
Sources and Reporting
This article is based on publicly available reporting and statements attributed to law enforcement officials, the individuals involved and Gallagher’s legal representative.
Primary sources:
Reporting note: Cop Talk LIVE has not independently examined the complete probable cause affidavit or court docket. Details attributed to those records are based on the cited news organizations’ reporting. The allegations remain contested.
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