By MES Dispatch Staff
The Briefing
- • Jennings County Sheriff William K. “Kenny” Freeman Jr. was indicted by a grand jury on four criminal counts, including theft, official misconduct, obstruction of justice, and perjury.
- • The investigation began in November 2025 after a candidate running against Freeman reported that his campaign signs were being stolen from roadsides.
- • The candidate placed a GPS tracker on one of the signs, and the device led investigators directly to Freeman’s property.
- Additional campaign signs — including those belonging to a county judge candidate — were also discovered on the sheriff’s property.
- • Freeman allegedly retaliated by issuing complaint and summons tickets to both candidates for alleged illegal sign placement after the signs were recovered.
JENNINGS COUNTY, Ind. — The sitting sheriff of Jennings County has been indicted on multiple felony and misconduct charges following a six-month investigation into the theft of political campaign signs, including those belonging to his own electoral opponent.
A Jennings County grand jury indicted Sheriff William K. “Kenny” Freeman Jr. on charges of theft, official misconduct, obstruction of justice, and perjury. Freeman turned himself in to authorities following the indictment.
The case originated in November 2025, when a candidate challenging Freeman for the sheriff’s office filed a complaint alleging that his roadside campaign signs were being removed. To identify the responsible party, the candidate placed a GPS tracking device inside one of the signs. That tracker subsequently led investigators to Freeman’s personal residence.
Upon further investigation, authorities recovered additional campaign signs on Freeman’s property — including signs belonging to a candidate running for county judge — suggesting the alleged conduct extended beyond a single political rivalry.
According to reports from FOX59, Freeman allegedly sought to use his official authority against both candidates after the signs were discovered at his property. He is accused of issuing complaint and summons tickets to both individuals, citing alleged illegal sign placements — a move prosecutors appear to have characterized as obstruction.
Freeman’s current status in office and any administrative action taken by county officials were not specified in available reports. The case remains in the criminal proceedings phase following the grand jury indictment.