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.
Rockville Town Board hikes sewer fee, talks irrigation program
Rockville Town Board member now paying stormwater bills
Elevated fire weather risk in Central Indiana
All-way stop coming to U.S. 231 and State Road 234 in Montgomery County
Lane, shoulder closures to impact I-74 in Fountain County
Duke Energy reminds residents to call 811 before beginning spring digging projects
Parke County tornado confirmed
Parents offering new alternative for Montezuma Elementary families
Sherlock Holmes to the stage at Parke Heritage this weekend
Indiana AG warns of human trafficking during Final Four
Billie Creek Village ready for another season
Voter registration deadline April 6
Flags ordered to half-staff for Captain Seth Koval
Conrady seeks Rockville Town Board seat
