INDIANAPOLIS — The Marion County Democratic Party has selected a replacement for a constable who pleaded guilty to official misconduct and gun charges.
Kenneth Allen announced over the weekend he had been elected Center Township constable by the Center Township Precinct Committee. He fills the vacancy left by Denise Hatch, who was removed from office after her guilty plea Oct. 8.
Allen stepped down from the Indianapolis Public Schools Board of Commissioners, as required by state law, to fill the constable position. He was defeated in a bid for reelection to the board by Deandra Thompson.
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.
As part of her plea agreement, 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 additional jail time.