Indiana sheriff busted for theft after GPS locator ties him to stolen election campaign signs

VERNON, Ind. (WANE) A grand jury last week indicted the Jennings County Sheriff on multiple charges following a six month investigation by Indiana State Police involving the alleged theft of campaign signs.

In November 2025, Troopers from the Indiana State Police-Versailles Post were contacted by a candidate for Jennings County Sheriff, who reported having campaign signs stolen that had been placed around area roadways.  The candidate then placed a GPS locator device on one of his signs. When that sign was stolen, he tracked it to a dumpster located on the property of Jennings County Sheriff William “Kenny” Freeman, Jr.

Troopers went to Freeman’s property and retrieved the sign and the GPS locator from Freeman’s dumpster. They also found other campaign signs in the dumpster including a sign for a Jennings County Judge candidate, who also reported having campaign signs stolen.

Soon after troopers located the stolen signs in Freeman’s possession, Freeman issued tickets to both political candidates related to the placement of their signs. 

Because the investigation involved an acting sheriff, a request was made for both a Special Prosecutor and Judge. The Dearborn and Ohio Counties Prosecuting Attorney Lynn Deddens was appointed along with Ripley County Superior Judge Jeffery Sharp. The case was presented to a Jennings County Grand Jury this past Thursday. 

The Grand Jury reviewed the case and indicted Freeman on the following charges:

*Theft (2 counts)-Class A Misdemeanor
*Official Misconduct-Level 6 Felony
*Obstruction of Justice-Level 6 Felony
*Perjury-Level 6 Felony