Caucus Scheduled to Elect New Kosciusko County Sheriff

A Republican caucus is set to elect a new sheriff of Kosciusko County.

Former Sheriff Aaron Rovenstine was forced to step down from his duties as a law enforcement officer after pleading guilty in a plea agreement with the state to a felony charge of intimidating a police officer. He was sentenced on Tuesday to a year of reporting probation and 250 hours of community service. As part of the terms in his plea agreement, he cannot own a firearm. Rovenstine must also participate in an Offender Victim Reconciliation Program as an attempt to mend fences with the victim, Warsaw Police Detective Paul Heaton.

The caucus to fill the sheriff’s seat will be Wednesday, June 21 at 7p.m. in the Kosciusko County courtroom at 100 W. Center Street in Warsaw. Sixty-nine Republican Precinct members are eligible to vote in the caucus.

Declarations of candidacy are available at the office of the county clerk and must be filed with County Republican Chairman Mike Ragan no later than 72 hours prior to the caucus. For more information, call (574) 265-1430.

Sheriff’s candidates will have three minutes to address the voting members prior to the vote. Candidates must be in “good standing” and will be elected by secret ballot. The candidate with the vote majority will be installed as the new sheriff.