INDIANAPOLIS — Embattled Center Township Constable Denise Hatch has been removed from office after pleading guilty to misconduct and gun charges in connection to multiple cases.
As part of a plea agreement accepted by the judge Tuesday, Oct. 8, Hatch pleaded guilty to felony official misconduct, misdemeanor unlawful carrying of a handgun and misdemeanor disorderly conduct.
An invasion of privacy charge against Hatch was dismissed, and she will not serve any additional jail time, according to the agreement obtained by 13News and Hatch's attorney.
"As a result of her felony conviction, Indiana law provides that she is automatically removed from office," Hancock County Prosecutor Brent Eaton said in a statement.
Eaton and deputy prosecutor Kyle Bandy were appointed as special prosecutors in the case after Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears recused himself from multiple investigations involving Hatch "in order to avoid the appearance of impropriety," Eaton said.
Two criminal cases were filed against Hatch in February. In one, Hatch was charged with official misconduct and theft after allegedly stealing broccoli from an Indianapolis grocery store while wearing her badge and telling employees only the sheriff could arrest her.
In the second case, Hatch was charged with official misconduct, attempted assisting a criminal and attempted resisting of law enforcement after she allegedly arrived at the scene of a traffic stop in which a deputy constable was arrested for allegedly carrying a gun as a convicted felon.
Hatch allegedly tried to open the door of the police car her deputy was in. Charges against the deputy constable in that case are pending, Eaton said.
After being released on bond, Hatch was alleged to have committed misconduct and unlawful carrying of a handgun after bringing her gun while working security in her constable uniform in May 2024. With a pending felony case, Hatch was not allowed to carry a handgun at the time. She was arrested and taken to the Marion County Jail.
Then in early October, Hatch was charged with more counts of official misconduct and disorderly conduct after interrupting a public meeting at the Center Township Government Center and shouting expletives at the trustee while wearing her uniform. She allegedly had to be escorted from the building.
After sentencing Oct. 8, Eaton said, "the firearm, ammunition, and Constable badge currently being held as evidence may be destroyed by the IMPD."
Prosecution costs in the cases will be reimbursed to Hancock County by the Marion County Treasurer.
Hatch’s attorney called the plea agreement a great resolution for Hatch and the community.
“Our client was facing four different cases of level six felony official misconduct. So, in each of the cases she was facing between six months to two and a half years. This was a great resolution for my client and a great resolution for our community because this allowed an opportunity for her not to have to do any more jail time...but also to leave office and to move on with her life,” said Mario Massillamany.
On Friday, Indiana Senator Aaron Freeman released the following statement:
"The actions taken by the former Center Township Constable are an embarrassment to other law enforcement officers. Constables serve an important role as part of the small claims court, and when things like this happen, it causes our community to question their public safety systems. Her actions are not a reflection of the position she held. The former Center Township Constable's bad actions should not cause us to lose sight of the good work being done by other constables across Marion County.
To the other constables operating in Marion County and serving your community, I commend you. Please continue to do the good work of the courts. I plan to keep the name of the Indianapolis judicial system in good faith and am willing to sponsor bipartisan legislation in the upcoming legislative session to examine the operations of the offices of Marion County's nine township constables."
The Marion County Democratic Party will be required to form a caucus to appoint a replacement for Hatch within 30 days.
13News reached out to Hatch for comment and has not heard back.