A jury trial was held at Starke County Circuit Court this week for former Starke County Sheriff’s Department detective Don Ferguson.
According to court documents, Ferguson, of South Bend, was said to have taken several prescription pills in 2018 or 2019 that were the property of the Starke County Sheriff’s Department while in his capacity as a detective for the Starke County Sheriff’s Department. The documents also stated that he gave a false statement in a police report. It was also stated in the documents that in December 2020, while as a law enforcement officer at the Starke County Sheriff’s Department, he had taken several firearms that were in the possession of another person.
Ferguson was indicted in September of 2022 on three counts of official misconduct as a Level 6 Felony, theft of a firearm as a Level 6 Felony, theft as a Class A Misdemeanor, and false informing as a Class B Misdemeanor.
In July of this year, the jury trial for Ferguson’s case was scheduled by the Starke County Circuit Court for August 25th, 26th, 27th, 28th, and 29th. However, the additional dates beyond August 27th were not needed as the jury returned their verdict sooner.
According to the Starke County Circuit Court, on Count 1, a Level A Misdemeanor Theft, the jury found Ferguson not guilty. On Count 2, a Level 6 Felony Official Misconduct, the jury found Ferguson not guilty. On Count 5, a Level 6 Felony Theft of a Firearm, the jury found Ferguson not guilty.
For all other counts, the jury was unable to reach a verdict.
There is a status hearing set to take place on September 23rd, 2025 at 9:30am Central Time.
