Two Indiana police officers seen on video repeatedly punching a handcuffed and defenseless man in their custody have been charged with a federal civil rights violation.

Cory Newland, 35, and Joshua Titus, 30, of the Elkhart Police Department were indicted by a grand jury Thursday on a charge of depriving Mario Ledesma of his rights through excessive force.

Police surveillance video shows them punching Ledesma after he spat at Newland while sitting handcuffed in a chair at the police station in January 2018.

Joshua Titus (left) and Cory Newland (right) of the Elkhart Police Department were indicted by a grand jury Thursday

Newland and Titus have been on leave since November and have pleaded not guilty to separate state charges.

A message seeking comment was left with Elkhart police Friday.

'The FBI won't tolerate the abuse of power or victimization of citizens by anyone in law enforcement,' said Grant Mendenhall, who heads the FBI in Indianapolis. 'The alleged actions by these individuals went against everything in the oath they took to serve and protect.'

'My Office takes allegations of civil rights violations seriously, including use of excessive force by police officers sworn to uphold the law,' said U.S. Attorney Thomas L. Kirsch in a press release.

'Maintaining integrity in the criminal justice system by investigating and prosecuting police officers who step out of bounds with the law, while working with, training and promoting good relationships with law enforcement who operate within the law are important functions of my Office.'

Surveillance video showed Ledesma (center) spitting in an officer's face before the police shoved the suspect to the floor

Newland and Titus punched Ledesma repeatedly as he laid defenseless

Elkhart is in northern Indiana, 100 miles east of Chicago.

In February, Mayor Tim Neese said a former federal prosecutor would conduct an assessment of the Elkhart Police Department, including use of force.

A new chief was named in January after the previous police chief, Ed Windbigler, downplayed the beating.

He reprimanded the officers, saying they 'went a little overboard.'

Both officers are facing up to ten years in jail and $250,000 fines if convicted.