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.
Lucas Oil named title partner of 500 Festival Parade
Applications open for new United Way of Central Indiana initiative to build community solutions
Utilities District of Western Indiana REMC announces increases over next three years
Fountain County man arrested on sex crime charges, Parke County investigation remains
Friday is National Wear Red Day
Vermillion County DCS worker facing felonies
One week left to file for office in Indiana
Bridge closures to impact State Road 42 over I-70 in Clay County
Road renaming resolution co-authored by Criswell to honor Bobby Knight passes House
Thrive West Central to host Utility Workshop
Greene Realty continues to grow
World Food Championships set for 2026 Indianapolis return
SW Parke Community Schools looking at Revision Project
NWS extends Winter Storm Warning to Monday morning
IDHS activates State Emergency Operations Center in response to winter storm
Scholarship Fund honors former Coach Blank
Winter Storm Watch in effect for the weekend, heavy snow possible
