ISP Arrests Township Trustee on Two Felony Counts
Monday morning around 7:00, current Vermillion Township Trustee Anna “Denise” Mitchell submitted herself to the Vermillion County Jail in response to a Vermillion County Circuit Court warrant issued against her for two felony counts.
The 57-year-old Mitchell of Newport, IN. was incarcerated on one count of Official Misconduct (level 6 felony) and one count of Theft (level 6 felony).
The arrest stems from an Indiana State Police investigation that began on July 12, 2017 at the request of the Vermillion County Prosecutor’s Office, who had been notified by the Indiana State Board of Accounts of possible criminal activity found during a routine audit.
ISP developed information alleging that Anna “Denise” Mitchell issued herself checks totaling $5000 from May 2016 to February 2017.
In March of 2015, Mitchell wrote herself a check for $2000 for construction of a new office at her residence.
In December 2015, Mitchell issued herself a check for $850 indicating her extra pay as an investigator for Township Assistance.
In 2016, she overpaid her salary by $1,002 and in 2016, Mitchell overpaid her office rent by $500. From June 2015 to October 2016, Mitchell wrote herself ten checks ranging from $50 to $300 and totaling $1,195 as reimbursement for office supplies, and did not possess any support documentation for the purchases.
The personal use amounted to $10, 547. The State of Indiana incurred additional costs in the amount of $2,711.48 due to the special investigation of Township disbursements for a grand total of $13,258.48.
The case was investigated by ISP Detective Don Anglin with assistance from the Vermillion County Prosecutor’s Office, Indiana State Board of Accounts, and Master Trooper Gary Winters.
Under the Law, criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
