A former Starke County elected official was sentenced Tuesday on charges of Invasion of Privacy.
Marshall County Prosecutor Nelson Chipman was serving as a special prosecutor in the case. He says the incident occurred in March of this year after former Starke County Sheriff Oscar Cowen allegedly traveled to his former wife’s workplace in Hamlet. The action violated a previously authorized protective order.
Evidence was suppressed in a case heard in Pulaski Superior Court after it was found that the arresting officer did not have arrest powers at the time of the incident.
Court documents obtained by WKVI indicate Pulaski County Sheriff Mike Gayer appointed longtime reserve deputy John Haley as a part-time/special deputy on Sept. 7, 2011. He had until September of 2012 to complete the Indiana Law Enforcement Training Academy but did not do so. The only record of training in his personnel file is the pre-basic 40-hour course required by reserve deputies. Haley first joined the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department Reserves in approximately 2007/2008.
A familiar face in Winamac political circles is the newest member of the town council. Longtime Clerk-Treasurer Judy Heater won the Monday, March 10 Republican Caucus to fill a vacant seat on the Winamac Town Council. James DeArmond resigned as the district 2 council member effective Feb. 14. Heater won unanimously on the first ballot. Pulaski Superior Court Judge Patrick Blankenship swore her into office the following day.
A swearing-in ceremony for Pulaski County elected officials will be held Wednesday, December 19 at 4:30 p.m. ET.
The ceremony is slated to take place in the commissioners meeting room on the second floor of the courthouse. All elected officials are encouraged to attend and officially be sworn into office. Pulaski County Circuit Court Judge Michael Shurn and Pulaski Superior Court Judge Pat Blankenship will administer the oaths of office.
