From Clinton County Today, I’m Brett Todd and this is The Follow-up.

Today is Tuesday, October 29, 2024.

Clinton County Sheriff's Deputy Melissa Trump sat down for an interview on October 24th to discuss the recent Merit Board hearing decision, ongoing investigations, and the future of her career. During the hour plus long conversation, Deputy Trump expressed mixed emotions about the outcome of the hearing and raised concerns about procedural issues regarding the arrest of her son during the hearing, potential bias against her, and the impact on her future in law enforcement.

The Merit Board found Deputy Trump violated four Merit Board Rules and Regulations of the five charges filed by Sheriff Rich Kelly.

The four charges Deputy Trump violated according to the Merit Board Findings of Fact, Conclusions, and Decision document are: Conduct Unbecoming to An Officer; Conformance to Laws; Individual Obligation and Duties of All Personnel; and Truthfulness. The charge of Testimony was not substantiated.

The Merit Board voted 3-1 to impose a disciplinary penalty of 30 working days without pay based on its preceding findings. Sheriff Kelly had asked for termination.

Listener, during the interview you are about to hear, Deputy Trump makes allegations regarding the transfer of former K9 Rip to an outside business due to its aggressive behavior as well as statements surrounding the enforcement of an outstanding warrant on her son.

Clinton County Today has not yet been able to independently verify those allegations made by Deputy Trump and has removed the name of the individual and the individual’s business name used in reference to K9 Rip. A review of County Commissioners meeting minutes from March 5th, 2024, show the Sheriff received unanimous approval to “change the ownership of the dog to the new company.”

Here is the interview uninterrupted.

(00:00) - Intro

(01:32) - Special note

(02:22) - Interview begins

(06:39) - Truthfulness

(14:59) - Thoughts on the Merit Board’s findings

(17:45) - Discussion on the social media charges that were dropped by Sheriff Kelly prior to start of Merit Board hearing

(23:52) - Doesn’t feel like a win

(30:31) - What the 30 day without pay means

(32:52) - Minor consumption is a “bulls*** charge”

(35:19) - The use of discretion

(35:55) - Not arresting for marijuana, driving while suspended

(36:58) - Don’t condone underage drinking

(39:14) - Being an officer even while being off duty

(43:45) - What happens after the 30 working day suspension without pay

(47:40) - Conversation regarding K9 Tiko

(52:11) - Conversation regarding K9 Rip

(01:00:02) - Recap of underage drinking and Truthfulness

Music by Bogdan Kuzmin, Cinematic Documentary Atmosphere.

https://pixabay.com/music/beats-cinematic-documentary-atmosphere-153028/

Thank you for listening to The Follow-up. The Follow-up is produced by Progressive Partners of Indiana LLC. You can listen to the Follow-up wherever you get your podcasts or visit ClintonCountyToday.com

The audio recording you are about to hear is the fifth of five recordings from the Clinton County Sheriff’s Merit Board hearing on the evening of Wednesday, October 16, 2024.

The Merit Board met in public to hear charges brought by Sheriff Richard Kelly on Deputy Melissa Trump and to hear Deputy Trump’s defense.

Sheriff Kelly recommended Deputy Trump be terminated following allegations of underage drinking at her residence and dishonesty during the ensuing internal investigation.

Deputy Trump is alleged to have violated Merit Board Rules and Regulations and alleged to have violated policies contained within the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office Law Enforcement Policy Manual.

This fifth recording begins with:

(00:00) Administrative Hearing Officer - Attorney Michelle Cooper - provides instructions for closing arguments

(00:17) Attorney Adam Brower, representing Deputy Trump, begins closing arguments.

(13:59) Attorney Tonya Bond, representing Sheriff Kelly, begins closing arguments.

(25:07) Attorney Cooper provides instructions for deadlines to Attorney Brower and Attorney Bond.

(27:14) Meeting adjourned by Merit Board president John Wright

Note: The audio has been edited to enhance the audio level. No statements were edited.

Each audio session ends when a break is called and the next audio session begins when called to order.

Thank you for listening to The Follow-up. The Follow-up is produced by Progressive Partners of Indiana LLC. You can listen to the Follow-up wherever you get your podcasts or visit ClintonCountyToday.com

The audio recording you are about to hear is the fourth of five recordings from the Clinton County Sheriff’s Merit Board hearing on the evening of Wednesday, October 16, 2024.

The Merit Board met in public to hear charges brought by Sheriff Richard Kelly on Deputy Melissa Trump and to hear Deputy Trump’s defense.

Sheriff Kelly recommended Deputy Trump be terminated following allegations of underage drinking at her residence and dishonesty during the ensuing internal investigation.

Deputy Trump is alleged to have violated Merit Board Rules and Regulations and alleged to have violated policies contained within the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office Law Enforcement Policy Manual.

This fourth recording begins with:

(00:00) Fourth session begins. Attorney Adam Brower, representing Deputy Trump, calls Ms. Teresa Short, the girlfriend of Deputy Trump's son, as a witness.

(07:39) Attorney Tonya Bond, representing Sheriff Kelly, begins cross-examination of Ms. Short.

(10:55) Attorney Brower re-direct of Ms. Short.

(14:07) Attorney Brower calls Mrs. Heather Dison as a witness.

(21:31) Attorney Brower calls Mr. Jeffery Dison as a witness.

(26:27) Attorney Brower calls Deputy Trump as a witness.

(01:01:22) Attorney Bond begins cross-examination of Deputy Trump.

Note: The audio has been edited to enhance the audio level. No statements were edited.

Each audio session ends when a break is called and the next audio session begins when called to order.

Thank you for listening to The Follow-up. The Follow-up is produced by Progressive Partners of Indiana LLC. You can listen to the Follow-up wherever you get your podcasts or visit ClintonCountyToday.com

The audio recording you are about to hear is the third of five recordings from the Clinton County Sheriff’s Merit Board hearing on the evening of Wednesday, October 16, 2024.

The Merit Board met in public to hear charges brought by Sheriff Richard Kelly on Deputy Melissa Trump and to hear Deputy Trump’s defense.

Sheriff Kelly recommended Deputy Trump be terminated following allegations of underage drinking at her residence and dishonesty during the ensuing internal investigation.

Deputy Trump is alleged to have violated Merit Board Rules and Regulations and alleged to have violated policies contained within the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office Law Enforcement Policy Manual.

This third recording begins with:

(00:00) Third session begins

Prior to Mr. Donovan Denham taking the stand, the recording captures the moment Deputy Trump learns her son - Blake Trump had been arrested by the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office on an outstanding warrant from Marion County Indiana. Blake Trump was in attendance to testify on behalf of his mother if needed. Blake Trump was released as a witness prior to testifying and was subsequently arrested.

(01:18) Attorney Adam Brower, representing Deputy Trump, calls Mr. Donovan Denham, the boyfriend of Deputy Trump, as a witness.

(11:45) Attorney Tonya Bond, representing Sheriff Kelly, begins cross-examination.

(15:52) Attorney Brower re-direct of Mr. Denham.

Note: The audio has been edited to enhance the audio level. No statements were edited.

Each audio session ends when a break is called and the next audio session begins when called to order.

Thank you for listening to The Follow-up. The Follow-up is produced by Progressive Partners of Indiana LLC. You can listen to the Follow-up wherever you get your podcasts or visit ClintonCountyToday.com

The audio recording you are about to hear is the second of five recordings from the Clinton County Sheriff’s Merit Board hearing on the evening of Wednesday, October 16, 2024.

The Merit Board met in public to hear charges brought by Sheriff Richard Kelly on Deputy Melissa Trump and to hear Deputy Trump’s defense.

Sheriff Kelly recommended Deputy Trump be terminated following allegations of underage drinking at her residence and dishonesty during the ensuing internal investigation.

Deputy Trump is alleged to have violated Merit Board Rules and Regulations and alleged to have violated policies contained within the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office Law Enforcement Policy Manual.

This second recording begins with:

(00:00) Second session begins

(03:03) Clinton County Sheriff Office Detective Lieutenant Dan Roudebush continues to give testimony of his internal investigation to Attorney Tonya Bond, representing Sheriff Kelly.

(04:14) Attorney Adam Brower, representing Deputy Trump, begins cross-examination.

(36:20) Attorney Bond re-direct of Lt. Roudebush.

(44:27) Attorney Brower re-cross of Lt. Roudebush.

(48:59) Attorney Bond calls Sheriff to testify.

(1:14:43) Attorney Brower begins cross-examination.

Note: The audio has been edited to enhance the audio level. No statements were edited.

Each audio session ends when a break is called and the next audio session begins when called to order.

Thank you for listening to The Follow-up. The Follow-up is produced by Progressive Partners of Indiana LLC. You can listen to the Follow-up wherever you get your podcasts or visit ClintonCountyToday.com

The audio recording you are about to hear is the first of five recordings from the Clinton County Sheriff’s Merit Board hearing on the evening of Wednesday, October 16, 2024.

The Merit Board met in public to hear charges brought by Sheriff Richard Kelly on Deputy Melissa Trump and to hear Deputy Trump’s defense.

Sheriff Kelly recommended Deputy Trump be terminated following allegations of underage drinking at her residence and dishonesty during the ensuing internal investigation.

Deputy Trump is alleged to have violated Merit Board Rules and Regulations and alleged to have violated policies contained within the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office Law Enforcement Policy Manual.

This first recording begins with:

(00:00) Opening statement from Merit Board president John Wright followed by opening statements from:

(01:59) Attorney Tonya Bond, representing Sheriff Kelly; and,

(07:09) Attorney Adam Brower, representing Deputy Trump.

(14:57) The first witness called by Attorney Bond was Clinton County Prosecutor Anthony Sommer.

(22:49) Cross examination of Prosecutor Sommer by Attorney Brower

(32:09) Re-direct of Prosecutor Sommer by Attorney Bond

(36:23) Re-cross of Prosecutor Sommer by Attorney Brower

(37:05) The second witness called by Attorney Bond was Clinton County Sheriff Office Detective Lieutenant Dan Roudebush. Detective Roudebush conducted the internal investigation.

This recording captures the audio from evidence introduced by Attorney Bond when played for the Merit Board.

The evidence included body camera footage provided by the Noblesville Police Department, in addition to audio from Detective Roudebush’s internal investigation interview of Deputy Trump and Deputy Trump’s pre-polygraph and post-polygraph interview with West Lafayette Police Officer Aron Thompson.

(44:56) Audio from body camera - NPD Officer Lane Snyder

(46:38) Audio from body camera - NPD Officer Krystal Watters

(47:22) Audio from body camera - NPD Officer Christopher Heselschwerdt

(49:44) Audio from body camera - NPD Officer Matt Whiles

(52:43) Audio from body camera - NPD Officer Matt Lohrey

(01:07:08) Audio from Lt. Roudebush internal investigation interview with Deputy Trump

(01:41:35) Audio from WLPD Officer Thompson pre-polygraph interview with Deputy Trump

(01:50:45) Audio from WLPD Officer Thompson post-polygraph interview with Deputy Trump

Note: The audio has been edited to enhance the audio level. No statements were edited.

Each audio session ends when a break is called and the next audio session begins when called to order.

Thank you for listening to The Follow-up. The Follow-up is produced by Progressive Partners of Indiana LLC. You can listen to the Follow-up wherever you get your podcasts or visit ClintonCountyToday.com

During the Monday, January 27, 2020, regular meeting of the City of Frankfort Common Council an attorney representing real estate developers presented plans for an approximate $6 Million apartment complex.

Who: The developer is the same that developed the St. Vincent/Witham medical complex across from Wal-Mart.

What: 58-units. Market rate. 50-units will have single-car garages. No unit pricing shared at the meeting.

Where: On undeveloped land directly adjacent to/behind the St. Vincent/Witham medical complex.

When: The desire is to break ground in March 2020 with completion by next fall.

The proposed name of the apartment complex is Hometown Cottages of Frankfort.

At the expense of the developer, three new streets and curbs will be developed along with all utilities (electric, water, and sewer) installed.

Last night's meeting was to designate the proposed area an Economic Revitalization Area. The resolution passed 7-0.

A February meeting will allow for public comments regarding any tax abatement regarding this proposed project before a final vote is taken.

The council also discussed the awarding of $30,000 to three non-profit organizations. And, discussed changes to the downtown parking ordinance.

###

This is a gavel-to-gavel recording of the Frankfort City Council Meeting of Monday, January, January 27, 2020.