BUFFALO, N.Y. — Suspended Buffalo Police Officer Joseph Hassett has now been indicted on assault charges.

Hassett has been charged with assault, official misconduct, offering a false instrument for filing and making a punishable false written statement.

The Erie County District Attorney says the 31-year-old turned himself in to police in August for allegedly injuring a person in custody back on March 18.

Officials say the victim was treated at ECMC for a head injury and a cut above the eyebrow.

Hassett's attorney claims the DA's Office is using the indictment to postpone a city court trial originally set for Thursday.

He released a statement Wednesday night, saying in part:

“The same charges were filed three months ago. We are not aware of any instance where a misdemeanor indictment mechanism was used two days before trial, to prevent the trial from going forward.

“The District Attorney’s Office had the option to re-file the official misconduct charge before Judge Fiorella, so that the trial could promptly proceed before him on Thursday. It declined to do so.”  

Hassett is expected to be arraigned in December.