EAST CHICAGO, Ind. (AP) — The East Chicago City Council has voted to remove from office one of its members who’s facing federal drug charges.

The (Munster) Times reports the body voted 8-0 Monday to remove Councilman Robert Battle.

Battle was represented at the hearing by his sister, Kim Maxey. She indicated she would appeal the decision.

Federal prosecutors earlier this month said in a court filing that they would not seek the death penalty against Battle, who now faces the possibility of a life sentence if convicted of having a gun during a drug-trafficking crime. He’s accused of fatally shooting Reimundo Camarillo Jr. on Oct. 12 in East Chicago. Battle has claimed self-defense in the shooting.

Battle was re-elected in November while in Porter County Jail. He remains held there while awaiting trial.