Aukerman looks to continue keeping Vermillion County safe as Prosecutor

Since 2011, Bruce Aukerman has served as the Vermillion County Prosecutor and the Democratic incumbent would like to continue serving in that spot this election season. 

Aukerman faces a challenge from Republican Jim Organ, a criminal defense attorney with a practice in Terre Haute. 

"I was born in Newport and graduated from North Vermillion and went to college, earning an accounting degree from IU. I had an interest in the law, went to law school, and found my fit. I have been a trial lawyer since 1988, handling many civil cases, personal injury cases, product liability cases and security fraud cases. There was a time where I heard the great Prosecutor in Vermillion County, Nina Alexander, was retiring. I didn't want to see what she had started slip, and I ran, was elected and had a phenomenal chief deputy in Greg Carter, who taught me everything I needed to know about the Prosecutor's job. I love it. I have a tremendous staff that is awesome, and I am so grateful for them," Aukerman told The Parke County Post. 

Aukerman said his office supports Vermillion County's law enforcement community and ensures the county remains safe for everyone, especially children and the most vulnerable residents. 

"Vermillion County is a small county. We have Danville, Illinois to the north and Terre Haute to the south. It is like when you are the smallest dog on the porch, you better be the meanest. One of the things we do is ensure Vermillion County remains safe and protect the county. I am told people are now advised by their attorneys to go around Vermillion County, and that advice is given by criminal defense attorneys to their clients. I don't want those kind of people coming through our county hauling drugs from Chicago to Evansville or wherever. We work every day and I think we are there for issues ranging from truancy problems at school—helping kids understand why they must attend—to collecting child support," Aukerman said. 

The veteran prosecutor admits it is tough to run for office while keeping the office running efficiently and effectively. 

"We have some cases that are your normal cases, but we also have child molesting cases and a pending murder case. You have to be in court, you have to prepare those cases, and it has been an experience. I grew up on hard work, am wired to work hard, but I am a little tired," Aukerman admitted. 

Aukerman also said any notion that there is a "backlog problem" in Vermillion County is incorrect. 

"There has been some talk about a backlog and most of that talk is by people who are not in our criminal court at all. Covid did a number on everybody, but under Judge Reed, he has blown through that backlog. If you go to court right now, first place trial setting is in January or February, and that is fast. That is fast wherever you go or whatever court you look at. That staff does an awesome job as well. Also, people talk about a backlog, but defense lawyers control when a case gets tried. If you want a trial, you come in and say you want a fast and speedy trial, we are on the clock and the court will give you a date within 70 days. It is interesting to talk about. I guess you have to talk about something, so you say we have a backlog, but we don't have a backlog in Vermillion County," said Aukerman. 

Aukerman has prided himself on being tough on criminals, citing a 200 year sentence for a child molester, a 90 year prison sentence for the attempted murder of two Vermillion County Sheriff's deputies, a 41 year sentence for child exploitation and possession of child pornography and a 23 year sentence for dealing meth and burglary of a business. 

Aukerman said in the 200 year sentence, the only reason the sentence was so long was because the death penalty wasn't an option. 

"I would have argued for the death penalty in that case. It was a man who molested his daughter. I believe this question is much bigger than anybody's election. Our generation has before it a problem that other generations has not faced and the question is are we up to fixing it. We have to remember you can have a prosecutor, a judge and the people say this is outrageous, but we have to have the legislature have something about it," he said. 

What he would like to see done is the death penalty as an option for child molesters and aggravated child molesting. Aukerman said a bill offered by Republican State Rep. Andrew Ireland went nowhere. 

"It went nowhere. We have a race in our district for state rep, and the question is why did that bill die? This, in my opinion, should be fixed over lunch. This is a bi-partisan thing. We ahve to protect these children, and what we are seeing in these CSAM cases is so demonic and sick that you can't possibly say you shouldn't put them in prison for that long. Possession of CSAM is the lowest level felony in Indiana. Who thought that up? You get six months to two and a half years with an advisory of one year. People lose their minds, and I am with them, when they see some of these sentences. The legislature needs to come in, and we need mandatory minimums. They also need to be much higher level felonies. There is no issue bigger than the protection of our children, we have to do it, and the legislature has to get involved this year," Aukerman said. 

The veteran prosecutor said he has a message for those who say the death penalty is too strict. 

"I haven't met that person, but I know that view is out there. These penalties come with the death penalty or life in prison without parole and we leave that to the jury. The death penalty bill would have that connected to it so when sentencing came, that is a decision they can make," Aukerman said. 

With early voting already underway and the November general election looming, Aukerman said people should vote for him if they want Vermillion County kept safe.

"We have a record, and people can see my record. I am not talking about what I can do, maybe or what I think should be done, I have the record and we are all about protecting the children of Vermillion County against predators. We are about keeping Vermillion County safe. I have the backing of law enforcement, and that respect is not political, it is earned. I hope to get their vote, and I would like to meet people if they stop by. We are going to continue to do what we do if that is what people want. If people want someone advocating for them, advocating for the death penalty for child molesters and someone who doesn't offer a plea bargains in child pornography cases, sex offender cases, sex offender registry cases, things like that. You are going to plead guilty and then I am going to argue for the maximum and then it's up to the judge. If that's what people want, I am here for it, and nobody will outwork me," Aukerman said.