Jennings Co. Sheriff accused for stealing campaign signs

(NORTH VERNON, Ind.) – Jennings County Sheriff Kenny Freeman has been indicted by a grand jury for allegedly stealing campaign signs. 

The Indiana State Police launched an investigation last November after an unnamed candidate for sheriff said he had political signs stolen from various locations. 

That candidate put a GPS locator on signs that indicated that they were in a dumpster on Freeman’s property, investigators said.

“Troopers responded to Freeman’s property and retrieved the sign and the item locator from Freeman’s dumpster.  While at the property, other campaign signs were observed in the dumpster to include a sign for a Jennings County Judge candidate, who also reported having campaign signs stolen,” said ISP Sgt. Stephen Wheeles. 

Police say Freeman also issued a complaint and summons to both the sheriff candidate and the judge candidate for the placement of their signs. 

The grand jury has indicted Freeman on two counts of Theft, Official Misconduct, Obstruction of Justice and Perjury. 

Due to the investigation involving a current sheriff, a special prosecutor and judge has been assigned to the case.

Dearborn and Ohio County Prosecutor Lynn Deddens has been asked to be the special prosecutor while Ripley County’s Jeff Sharp has been named judge.

“The arrest warrant on Freeman was served this morning when he turned himself in at the Ripley County Jail and was subsequently released on his own recognizance,” Sgt. Wheeles added.