A Hancock County judge has been appointed in a criminal case against Johnson County coroner Michael Pruitt.
Hancock Superior Court 2 Judge Dan Marshall has been appointed judge.
Pruitt, 60, of Bargersville, was elected coroner in 2021. He was turned himself in under a no-bond warrant after county authorities requested Indiana State Police investigate Pruitt having purchased alcohol for a teenage girl and offering cannabis gummies.
14 misdemeanor criminal charges were filed in Johnson Superior Court 3. Several allegations involve Pruitt providing alcohol to the girl in Bargersville, at an Illinois hotel where both were for a 4H event, and at the Johnson County Fairgrounds.
The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office issued a response to questions of what appeared to be Pruitt’s release from the jail.
“We have had several inquiries as to Michael Pruitt's inmate status showing "Released" on our inmate data web page. He was not released. He has been transferred to the Brown County Jail for safety and security pending his first hearing. This is standard procedure for inmates where there members of the jail staff may be family or close acquaintances, to ensure complete transparency with regards to treatment and procedures,” said Chief Deputy Andrew Barnhart of Johnson County Sheriff’s Office.
For now, Pruitt retains his coroner’s position. A coroner can only be removed by the governor or resign from the post. The only other was is a felony conviction but Pruitt doesn’t currently face any felony counts.
Ray Allison named next executive director of the Indiana State Fair Commission
INvestABLE Indiana announces expanded eligibility criteria beginning January 1
Governor Braun announces record year for Indiana tourism
Rockville Parks Board continues working on quality of life improvements
Indiana advances coal ash permitting program
Indiana's state parks offer New Years Day events
Rockville Council strips Clerk-Treasurer of Town Manager duties
DNR receives regional award for project on former mine land near Pleasantville
ISP shopping safety tips
Riverton Parke's Emily Adams awarded the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship for Parke County
BMV announces Christmas and New Year's Day holiday hours
Indiana launches Smart SNAP
Indiana 211: Connecting Hoosiers to holiday support and essential resources
Department of Homeland Security launches Worst of the Worst website
Governor Braun takes action to waive hours-of-service regulations for transporting propane
Two Indiana State Fair Commission executives elected to prominent national IAFE Positions, Indiana State Fair honored with multiple awards
Cover Crop Premium Discount Program available for Hoosier farmers, new pre-enrollment available
Indiana FSSA extends open enrollment for HIP and PathWays Plans through December 24
