Indiana State Police say they spent 12 months piecing together the information necessary to formally charge former Pulaski County Sheriff Michael Gayer and Chief Deputy Ronnie Patrick.
The pair was indicted on Tuesday with multiple felony and misdemeanor counts, including: Theft, Official Misconduct, Obstruction of Justice, and Deception. Gayer is facing seven counts in the case while Patrick is charged with 11 counts.
Following a lengthy investigation which started in August of 2015, grand jury hearings started Monday, lasting into Tuesday. 14 witnesses were required to testify.
Initial complaints were filed by Pulaski County Sheriff Jeff Richwine after noticing inconsistencies in the Sheriff’s Department inventory. A State Board of Accounts audit was conducted which also alleged misappropriation of funds in addition to missing firearms.
According to Richwine, Gayer turned himself into authorities, but posted the $1,500 bond and was released. Patrick turned himself in on Wednesday according to Indiana State Police to the Marshall County Jail and also posted bond. The Marshall County Prosecutor’s Office says Patrick made arrangements to surrender at the location.
Nelson Chipman was appointed as a special prosecutor in the case at the recommendation of Pulaski County Prosecutor Daniel Murphy. Chipman says all of the charges against both men relate to the firearms found to be missing from the Sheriff’s Department and to items missing from evidence storage at the department.
According to the indictment, Patrick is alleged to have stolen a Luger handgun and an ammunition can from the Pulaski County evidence storage.
When asked for additional information regarding the alleged criminal wrongdoing, Chipman said it is “not possible” at this time to share their possible motives.
Neither the Pulaski County Circuit Court nor the Clerk’s office has scheduled court dates in the case. Scheduling is expected in the coming days.
