After embattled sheriff quits, Clinton County officials prepare to fill vacancy

FRANKFORT, Ind. (WISH) — Clinton County has an acting sheriff as officials began Thursday to prepare to replace Richard Kelly, who has resigned amid criminal indictments. Commissioner Jordan Brewer, who serves as the county Republican Party chairman, is leading the effort to find a new sheriff. A GOP caucus must be held within 30 days of the job being vacated. Chief Deputy Shawn Mayfield will serve as acting sheriff until a new sheriff is selected. Kelly resigned Thursday as sheriff as part of a plea agreement in a 2022 criminal indictment in Clinton County. He pleaded guilty to conflict of interest and official misconduct, stemming from his appointment of his wife as jail matron. His wife, Ashley Kelly also pleaded guilty Thursday to conflict of interest in connection with the same allegations in Clinton Circuit Court. The couple was accused of failing to file the proper paperwork for Ashley Kelly’s appointment as the jail matron. Attorney Mario Massillamany, who represents Ashley Kelly, argued that the case should not have reached the point of criminal charges. “I would argue this is a procedural matter that turned criminal,” he said, noting that both the Clinton County Council and the commissioners’ office were advised of Ashley Kelly’s intended role as jail matron. Massillamany added that the Kellys were following the same procedures that the two previous Clinton County sheriffs had used when appointing their wives as jail matrons. Following these events, the Clinton County Council tightened its rules regarding the hiring of family members. The Kellys still face charges in a criminal indictment in Marion County, as part of an Indiana State Police investigation. Richard Kelly is charged with two counts of aiding, inducing, or causing fraud; a count of aiding, inducing, or causing theft; and a count of official misconduct. Ashley Kelly is charged with two counts of fraud, a count of theft, and a count of official misconduct. Richard Kelly also faces a gun charge in Hamilton County . According to prosecuting documents, the 56-year-old sheriff was working an off-duty security job at the former home of late Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay on April 9 when he was found with a gun. Indiana law prohibits anyone under felony indictment from carrying a handgun, including law enforcement. In a separate development, Ashley Kelly lost the Republican primary for Clinton County sheriff on Tuesday. Brendon Bright, an investigator for the Clinton County Prosecutor’s Office, won the three-way GOP race.