CLINTON COUNTY, Ind. (October 23, 2024) – The Clinton County Sheriff’s Office Merit Board convened on October 16, 2024, at the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office to hear arguments in the case of Deputy Melissa Trump, who faces termination following allegations of underage drinking at her residence and dishonesty during the ensuing internal investigation. The hearing showcased sharply contrasting narratives presented by the Sheriff Richard Kelly’s attorney, Tonya Bond, and Deputy Trump’s attorney, Adam Brower, with both sides leveraging witness testimony, body camera footage, and the results of a polygraph examination to bolster their arguments.
The Merit Board Membership and Role in the Hearing
The five member Merit Board is an administrative board made of three appointments by Sheriff Kelly and two appointments by the Merit Deputies.
The Merit Board rules for admission of evidence differs from a criminal hearing – most notably the admission of polygraph results. And, when making a decision the Merit Board must consider whether the Sheriff provided substantial, reliable, and probative evidence sufficient to reasonably support his recommendation of termination of Deputy Trump.
Sheriff’s Case Hinges on “Evasive” Conduct and Failed Polygraph
Attorney Bond argued that Deputy Trump had been “evasive” during the internal investigation conducted by Detective Roudebush, initially focusing on the technicality of physically handing alcohol to minors while downplaying her broader responsibility in facilitating underage drinking. She emphasized that Deputy Trump had failed to disclose her personal drinking that evening and had omitted a previous incident where she had been drinking with Tess – Teresa Short, the girlfriend of Deputy Trump’s son, Blake Trump – one of the underage individuals present at her home.
Attorney Bond further contended that Deputy Trump’s failure of the polygraph examination, administered by Officer Aaron Thompson from the West Lafayette Police Department, provided compelling evidence of her dishonesty. She highlighted inconsistencies between Deputy Trump’s statements to Detective Roudebush and her subsequent admissions during the pre and post-polygraph interviews with Officer Thompson.
Defense Emphasizes Procedural Errors and Lack of Concrete Evidence
Attorney Brower countered by focusing on procedural errors within the investigation and the lack of concrete evidence to support the allegations of lying. He pointed to inaccuracies in the initial reports filed by Noblesville Police Department officers, which had triggered the internal investigation, arguing that Detective Roudebush had relied on flawed information when questioning Deputy Trump. Attorney Brower also emphasized that Detective Roudebush had admitted to making a false statement to Deputy Trump during the internal investigation interview, further undermining the credibility of the investigation.
Attorney Brower challenged the reliability of the polygraph results, noting that even Detective Roudebush had acknowledged that a failed polygraph alone cannot definitively prove dishonesty. He argued that Deputy Trump’s confusion about the meaning of “providing” alcohol, coupled with her emotional distress and the pressure of the investigation, could have contributed to her deceptive responses during the polygraph.
Hypocrisy Claims Dominate Defense Argument
A recurring theme in Attorney Brower’s argument was the perceived hypocrisy of seeking Deputy Trump’s termination while Sheriff Kelly himself faced multiple felony charges and a civil lawsuit alleging financial mismanagement. Brower repeatedly pointed to the sheriff’s ongoing legal troubles, arguing that it was unfair to hold Deputy Trump to a higher standard than her boss, especially when the evidence against her remained unproven.
Sheriff Maintains Right to Enforce Rules Despite Own Legal Challenges
Sheriff Kelly defended his decision to pursue Deputy Trump’s termination, arguing that his own legal issues did not absolve him of his duty to uphold the standards of the Sheriff’s office. He maintained that Deputy Trump’s actions had eroded public trust and compromised her ability to effectively perform her duties as a law enforcement officer.
The Sheriff stated that although he is not under the rules of the Merit Board, he will stand in front of a judge and a jury of his peers to answer the charges that have been brought against him.
Testimony from the Clinton County Prosecutor
Clinton County Prosecutor Anthony Sommer’s testimony highlighted the strained relationship between his office and the Sheriff’s office. He expressed concern about the Sheriff’s failure to disclose Giglio information regarding other officers and stated Sheriff Kelly had presented only one Giglio notice to his office during the sheriff’s term and other notices he had to seek out himself.
Emotional Moment
Individuals who were identified as potential witnesses were held away from the hearing room.
So, when Attorney Brower called for Mr. Donovan Denham, Deputy Trump’s boyfriend, Denham entered the room and walked over to Deputy Trump and informed her her son had been arrested by the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office on an outstanding warrant from Marion County.
Blake Trump was in attendance to testify on behalf of his mother if needed. Blake Trump was released as a witness prior to testifying and was subsequently arrested. Deputy Trump testified she knew Blake had an outstanding warrant prior to coming to the hearing.
Decision
The Merit Board is expected to meet on Wednesday, October 23, 2024, to take a public vote on Deputy Trump’s fate.
Merit Board Hearing Audio Files
Nearly six hours of audio was recorded by Clinton County Today.
Note: The audio has been edited to enhance the audio level. No statements were edited.
Each audio session ends when a break is called and the next audio session begins when called to order.
There were a total of four breaks, yielding five separate audio files.
The audio is hosted on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts – by searching Clinton County Today.
You may listen to the recordings below as well.
Audio 1
Notes for Audio 1.
What you will hear on the first recording:
Opening statement from Merit Board president John Wright followed by opening statements from:
Attorney Tonya Bond, representing Sheriff Kelly; and,
Attorney Adam Brower, representing Deputy Trump.
The first witness called by Attorney Bond was Clinton County Prosecutor Anthony Sommer.
Cross examination of Prosecutor Sommer by Attorney Brower
Re-direct of Prosecutor Sommer by Attorney Bond
Re-cross of Prosecutor Sommer by Attorney Brower
The second witness called by Attorney Bond was Clinton County Sheriff Office Detective Lieutenant Dan Roudebush. Detective Roudebush conducted the internal investigation.
This recording captures the audio from evidence introduced by Attorney Bond when played for the Merit Board.
The evidence included body camera footage provided by the Noblesville Police Department, in addition to audio from Detective Roudebush’s internal investigation interview of Deputy Trump and Deputy Trump’s pre-polygraph and post-polygraph interview with West Lafayette Police Officer Aron Thompson.
Audio from body camera – NPD Officer Lane Snyder
Audio from body camera – NPD Officer Krystal Watters
Audio from body camera – NPD Officer Christopher Heselschwerdt
Audio from body camera – NPD Officer Matt Whiles
Audio from body camera – NPD Officer Matt Lohrey
Audio from Lt. Roudebush internal investigation interview with Deputy Trump
Audio from WLPD Officer Thompson pre-polygraph interview with Deputy Trump
Audio from WLPD Officer Thompson post-polygraph interview with Deputy Trump
Audio 2
Notes for Audio 2.
What you will hear on the second recording:
Clinton County Sheriff Office Detective Lieutenant Dan Roudebush continues to give testimony of his internal investigation to Attorney Tonya Bond, representing Sheriff Kelly.
Attorney Adam Brower, representing Deputy Trump, begins cross-examination.
Attorney Bond re-direct of Lt. Roudebush.
Attorney Brower re-cross of Lt. Roudebush.
Attorney Bond calls Sheriff Kelly to testify.
Attorney Brower begins cross-examination of Sheriff Kelly.
Audio 3
Notes for Audio 3.
What you will hear on the third recording:
Prior to Mr. Donovan Denham taking the stand, the recording captures the moment Deputy Trump learns her son – Blake Trump had been arrested by the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office on an outstanding warrant from Marion County Indiana. Blake Trump was in attendance to testify on behalf of his mother if needed. Blake Trump was released as a witness prior to testifying and was subsequently arrested.
Attorney Adam Brower, representing Deputy Trump, calls Mr. Donovan Denham, the boyfriend of Deputy Trump, as a witness.
Attorney Tonya Bond, representing Sheriff Kelly, begins cross-examination.
Attorney Brower re-direct of Mr. Denham.
Audio 4
Notes for Audio 4.
What you will hear on the fourth recording:
Attorney Adam Brower, representing Deputy Trump, calls Ms. Teresa Short, the girlfriend of Deputy Trump’s son, as a witness.
Attorney Tonya Bond, representing Sheriff Kelly, begins cross-examination of Ms. Short.
Attorney Brower re-direct of Ms. Short.
Attorney Brower calls Mrs. Heather Dison as a witness.
Attorney Brower calls Mr. Jeffery Dison as a witness.
Attorney Brower calls Deputy Trump as a witness.
Attorney Bond begins cross-examination of Deputy Trump.
Audio 5
Notes for Audio 5.
What you will hear on the fifth recording:
Administrative Hearing Officer – Attorney Michelle Cooper – provides instructions for closing arguments
Attorney Adam Brower, representing Deputy Trump, begins closing arguments.
Attorney Tonya Bond, representing Sheriff Kelly, begins closing arguments.
Attorney Cooper provides instructions for deadlines to Attorney Brower and Attorney Bond.
Meeting adjourned by Merit Board president John Wright
