A Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department detective has been suspended, after discrepancies were reportedly found in the accounting of cash in the Justice Center evidence room.
Jason Woodruff, the officer in charge of the evidence room, was questioned by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Wednesday, according to a press release sent by County Attorney Kevin Tankersley on behalf of the Sheriff’s Department.
It says Sheriff Jeff Richwine was notified of the discrepancies following an independent audit by a separate officer, and he asked investigationhotline.org to help investigate. Tankersley says Woodruff was released, and it will be up to the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to decide whether there will be an arrest or any charges. Woodruff’s employment with the Sheriff’s Department will be determined after a Merit Board hearing.
Sheriff Richwine had no additional comment when contacted by WKVI News.
The complete press release can be found below:
Press Release
The Pulaski County Sheriff Department has suspended Detective Jason Woodruff pending a review by the Merit Board. His future with the Department will be determined after the Merit Board hearing. This is a required process under Indiana law. Woodruff was the officer in charge of the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department evidence room. This is a locked facility within the Sheriff’s Department at the Pulaski County Justice Center. An independent audit of the evidence room and its contents by a separate officer alerted Sheriff Jeff Richwine to some discrepancies in the accounting of cash being held for various investigations. Given the nature of the possible criminal activity and the possibility of Detective Woodruff being involved with the missing currency, the Sheriff contacted the Federal Bureau of Investigations. The FBI assigned some field agents to the matter and have begun an investigation. Detective Woodruff was questioned by the FBI on February 24th and released without incident. The decision of what action will be taken regarding the matter including whether there will be an arrest or charges filed lies completely within the jurisdiction of the FBI and the South Bend office of the United States Attorney. The Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department is not authorized to provide any additional information at this time. This is a pending investigation and will not become public record unless or until criminal charges are filed with the proper court.
