Former sheriff, chief deputy indicted by grand jury

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Published: Wednesday, 10 August 2016 18:29

Former Pulaski County sheriff Michael Gayer and his chief deputy face multiple charges, including theft and obstruction of justice, as the result of a grand jury indictment returned and unsealed Tuesday evening (Aug. 9).

Soon after, Gayer turned himself in to Pulaski County police Tuesday night and was released on $1,500 cash bond.

An arrest warrant was issued for former chief deputy Ron Patrick. He made arrangements to surrender to the Marshall County Sheriff's office Wednesday, and was also released on $1,500 cash bond.

The criminal acts alleged to have occurred when both men were members of the Pulaski County Sheriff's Department. Gayer served as sheriff from 2007 to 2015.

The grand jury was convened in Pulaski County Monday morning, under the direction of special prosecutor Nelson Chipman of Marshall County. According to an Indiana State Police release, indictments for all alleged counts against Gayer and Patrick were returned.

The charges stem from an almost year-long state audit at the Pulaski County Sheriff's Office that was completed in November 2015. As the audit proceeded, an investigation by Indiana State Police was launched in August 2015 into alleged misdeeds regarding missing firearms, ammunition and other irregularities at the sheriff's office. Chipman, a Marshall County prosecuting attorney, was appointed special prosecutor to review the case. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) was also involved in the investigation.

The audit results were publicly released in February by the Indiana State Board of Accounts indicating a discrepancy of over $20,000 regarding the purchase/inventory of firearms and ammunition. The purchases were made over a four-year period from January 2011 through the end of 2014, during Gayer's second term as sheriff.

The audit was initiated by current sheriff Jeff Richwine after he found alleged questionable purchases from the sheriff department's commissary fund shortly after taking office in January 2015. The discrepancies in the county's firearms/ammunition inventory were discovered during the audit. 

Before the public release, state officials discussed the contents of the audit in November 2015 with Richwine, county auditor Shelia Garling, county attorney Kevin Tankersley, the county council; the county commissioners, and investigators for Pulaski County.

In August of 2015 the Indiana State Police were contacted by Pulaski County Sheriff Jeff Richwine to investigate allegations of criminal acts by former members of the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department. Indiana State Police Detective Mike Bailey was assigned the investigation and over the course of nearly a year information was developed that indicated criminal acts likely occurred.  As a result of the investigation the Pulaski County prosecutor recommended appointment of a special prosecutor and the completed investigation was referred to the Marshall County prosecutor.  After reviewing the investigation the Marshall County prosecutor recommended the evidence be reviewed by a grand jury. 

Following Tuesday's grand jury indictments, Gayer has been charged with six felonies and one misdemeanor: two counts of theft, one count each of obstruction of justice and deception, and three counts of official misconduct.  

Patrick has been charged with nine felonies and two misdemeanors: five counts of theft, one count each of obstruction of justice and deception, and four counts of official misconduct. 

Trial dates for both Gayer and Patrick are pending. It is anticipated by local officials that a special judge will need to be appointed for the cases.