Dubois County Sheriff Tom Kleinhelter has released a personal statement reflecting on the challenges he faced over the past nine months following an investigation into the misuse of jail commissary funds. In his statement, the sheriff described the period as both difficult and enlightening and addressed the scrutiny surrounding the case while reaffirming his continued commitment to the office and the community.
Sheriff Kleinhelter maintained that he has consistently asserted his innocence since the beginning of the investigation, stating that he did not engage in any criminal activity. He pointed to the findings of the special prosecutor as validation of that position. According to Kleinhelter, the original Indiana State Police investigator assigned to the case, Detective Stanton, concluded that no criminal conduct had occurred. However, Stanton was later removed from the case, which Kleinhelter claims was due to dissatisfaction within the prior state police administration over the outcome of the initial investigation.
Following Stanton’s removal, the investigation was reassigned to Detective Hearon. Kleinhelter expressed serious concerns about how Hearon handled the case, stating that the detective may have either misrepresented information or failed to perform basic investigative steps in securing a search warrant. He also claimed to have learned that Hearon is now under investigation by the Indiana State Police for his conduct during the case.
Ultimately, Special Prosecutor Holly Hudelson reviewed the results of two separate investigations and chose not to pursue criminal charges. Kleinhelter emphasized how rare it is for two separate investigations to be conducted on a single matter, and he believes the outcome further supports his assertion of innocence.
The controversy stemmed from a State Board of Accounts audit, which found that jail commissary funds had been used to pay for travel expenses for his wife to attend law enforcement conferences, as well as for employee gifts. Kleinhelter has since reimbursed the full amount of those expenditures and stated he had also conducted his internal review to ensure all funds were properly repaid.
In his post, Kleinhelter acknowledged how difficult it has been to see his decades-long reputation questioned for the first time in his 30-year career with the county. He said it was disheartening to witness how personal and political agendas can blur the lines between professionalism and fairness. Despite the experience, he assured the public that his dedication to serving the community remains unchanged and that he intends to carry out his responsibilities as sheriff with the same level of integrity and commitment he has always upheld.
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