The Royal Canadian Mounties might always get their man — but in one instance the Madison County Sheriff got the wrong man.
Michael E. Miller, 41, Alexandria, was arrested Jan. 24 in Ocala, Fla., on Madison County Class C felony charges of burglary, and Class D felony theft. He was also wanted for failure to register as a sex offender, a Class D felony.
But once Miller was returned to Madison County, the prosecutor’s office dismissed the burglary and theft charges against Miller.
“It has been brought to the state’s attention that this case was filed against the wrong defendant,” the Circuit Court document read. “The paperwork submitted by the Madison County Sheriff’s Department was erroneous.”
The paperwork was submitted by Sheriff’s Department patrolman Sam Hanna.
The Sheriff’s Department is starting an internal investigation to determine how the wrong arrest information was sent out, Sheriff Terry Richwine said Friday.
“We are conducting an internal investigation to find out how and why it happened,” he said. “This could have put us in a liability situation.”
Hanna did not return a telephone call to The Herald Bulletin.
Jail Commander Andy Williams said bringing Miller back to Indiana from Florida was done at minimal expense.
“There was no added expense,” he said. “Two reserve officers were all ready picking up two other people. They only had to drive about an hour out of the way to pick up Miller.”
The two reserve officers were not paid by the county and the only expense was for gasoline and meals, Williams said.
Prosecutor Rodney Cummings said that the failure to register as a sex offender is a charge the county would not normally seek extradition.
“Someone made a mistake somewhere,” he said. “They put the wrong information into the NCIC (National Crime Information Center). This is not the first time something was entered wrong, but it probably is the first time we brought someone back to the county.”
Local News
Wrong charges filed by sheriff
- Local News
-
-
Anderson man dies at Monroe Reservoir; 3 others arrested
Memorial Day weekend took a tragic turn Saturday evening as an Anderson man visiting Monroe Reservoir died. Three other Anderson men were arrested later that day following the death of Matthew Hosier, 29.
-
Getting Together: Silence not golden for this library program
Certain rules govern almost all libraries: be quiet, don’t mar the pages and absolutely no food or drinks on the premises. But a small group of patrons wait until after hours, lock themselves in the back room of the Alexandria-Monroe Public Library, eat popcorn, drink soda and loudly scoff as they watch bad movies.
-
Veteran receiving Bronze Star 68 years late
An Army veteran will be awarded a Bronze Star on Memorial Day — 68 years after he was originally supposed to receive it.
-
Memorial Day activities set
For Memorial Day weekend, here’s a list of activities to participate in.
-
Arrest Log: May 28
Arrests made by Madison County law enforcement on Saturday, based on Madison County Jail records. Charges are recommended by arresting officers, but are not final until the Madison County prosecutor reviews the case and files official charges.
- Conservation officers arrest Anderson boater on alcohol charge
-
What's Where: May 28
Local activities are scheduled Monday.
-
Handicapped murder convict alleges prison discrimination
Since October 2006, Donald Lock has been confined to a wheel chair because of a degenerative bone disease. He has spent time at correctional facilities throughout the state, but it wasn’t until he was transferred to Pendleton earlier this year that he said he felt his disability was ignored.
-
Arrest log: May 27
The following arrest log appears in the Sunday edition of The Herald Bulletin.
-
Parents at Little League say coach took money
Parents of the North Anderson Little League filed a complaint with police against a former coach who they say stole fundraiser money.
- More Local News Headlines
-
