ISP seizes department laptops, phones related to investigation into sheriff
KOSCIUSKO COUNTY, Ind. -
The special prosecutor investigating allegations of official misconduct and obstruction of justice by Kosciusko County Sheriff Aaron Rovenstine approved a search warrant request for evidence related to the alleged "retaliatory investigation" into a Warsaw Police detective.
The Indiana State Police seized the laptops, phones and tablets owned by Kosciusko County and issued to members of the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department, including:
- Don Wiesehan
- Aaron Rovenstine
- Matt Rapp
- JD Ayres
- Chris Rager
- Mike Speigle
- Josh Spangle
- Todd Sautter
- Chris McKeand
- Joe Mooney
Indiana State Police believe the cell phones, laptops and tablets have evidence related to the investigation into Warsaw Police Detective Paul Heaton.
The search warrant covers photographs, videos, address books, incoming and outgoing text messages, owner and cell phone information, browser cookies, bookmarks, call logs, data on SIM cards or memory cards.
According to the affidavit in support of the search warrant, Warsaw Police asked the sheriff's department to record all phone calls and visits to inmate Kevin Bronson in March 2015. They also asked his special privileges be revoked.
The affidavit states despite this request, the unrecorded calls and visits continued until Bronson was taken into custody by the Marshall County Sheriff's Department.
It is alleged Rovenstine threatened Detective Heaton on two occasions. The first threat was allegedly made on July 2, 2015 when Rovenstine allegedly said he could "paint a story" to make Heaton look like a "crook."
On August 14, 2015, Rovenstine allegedly told Heaton he has investigators too and Heaton doesn't want "World War III."
Indiana State Police spoke with Speigle, Mooney and Rager on October 14, 2015 and they allegedly confirmed an investigation into Heaton was opened between July 30 and October 5.
Rager told ISP investigators the investigation was conduct related and not criminal, according to the affidavit.
ISP investigators documented five of the eight detectives in the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department were participating in the investigation into Heaton, the affidavit states.
ISP believes the cell phones, laptops and tablets will have information about, "communications between Rovenstine and the detectives as it relates to the retaliatory investigation of Heaton."