WBRZ - Baton Rouge

NEW ORLEANS - A year after District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro's office dropped charges against a New Orleans police officer in the death of a police dog, an Orleans Parish grand jury has indicted Sgt. Randy Lewis.

The Times-Picayune reports the panel Thursday indicted Lewis on one count of malfeasance in office in the death of Phantom, a police dog, while Lewis worked a private, paid detail at the closed Charity Hospital.

Lewis is accused in connection with the 2009 incident in which Phantom fell down an elevator shaft and died. Lewis claimed in an incident report that he was on duty and involved in a training exercise when the accident occurred.

If convicted, Lewis faces up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.