DUBOIS COUNTY — Dubois County Sheriff Thomas Kleinhelter is facing a felony charge and multiple misdemeanors after Marion County prosecutors alleged he lied to investigators during a high-profile probe into the misuse of public funds.
The charges, filed Thursday by Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears, include one count of official misconduct, a Level 6 felony, and three counts of false informing, all Class B misdemeanors.
The case centers on a December 19, 2024, interview with Indiana State Police (ISP). According to the probable cause affidavit, Kleinhelter provided false statements regarding his handling of the jail commissary fund—a pool of money meant for specific inmate and department needs.
The criminal charges stem from a 2024 State Board of Accounts audit that flagged $78,000 in questionable spending from the Dubois County Sheriff’s Office. The audit detailed expenses for travel, meals, and luxury items, many involving Kleinhelter’s wife, who was not a department employee.
According to court records, Kleinhelter allegedly made several false claims to investigators to justify the spending:
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