In January of 2020, the Indiana State Police Investigations Division at the Lowell Post was requested to initiate an investigation into the misappropriation of evidence at the Starke County Sheriff’s Department. The investigation centered around drugs and cash that went missing from the evidence room at the sheriff’s department.
As a result of this investigation, in September of 2022, a grand jury was assembled, and an indictment was subsequently brought against Don Ferguson with the following charges:
- Official Misconduct - Level 6 Felony (4 counts)
- Theft of a Firearm - Level 6 Felony
- Theft - Class A Misdemeanor
- False Reporting - Class B Misdemeanor
- Conversion - Class A Misdemeanor
For the next three years, this case worked its way through the court system, and in August 2025, a jury trial began and concluded with not-guilty findings on four of the eight charges. He was found not guilty of two of the official misconduct charges, the theft of a firearm and misdemeanor theft.
There was a hung jury on the remaining four charges.
On Tuesday, Don Ferguson pleaded guilty to filing a false police report as a Class B Misdemeanor. The remaining charges were dismissed. He was sentenced to 60 days in the Starke County Jail to begin immediately and four months of probation upon release from the jail.
A special judge and a special prosecutor were assigned to this case. The judge was Judge Crystal Kocher (Pulaski County), and Stanley Levco (Evansville) was the prosecutor.
Crawford and Richland Counties receive state economic funding
New potential buyer for Champion Laboratories named
VU announces transition for WVUT-TV
Millions in funding for industrial parks in Robinson, Olney
Unit #20 Board to hold special session
ISP conduct alcohol enforcement action in Wabash County
Sumner street project to begin soon
Local couple arrested by Lawrenceville Police
Flags ordered to half-staff for Captain Seth Koval
Illinois DMV text scams continue in Lawrence and surrounding counties
Enhanced fire risk warning for southeastern Illinois and southwestern Indiana
Indiana launches enforcement campaign to target distracted driving and speeding
New Second Circuit Judge named in Richland County
Lawrenceville arrests
New Space Force license plate design
Gun control bills stall in Illinois House
NWS freeze warning issued for region
