Former Republican Trustee and Trustee’s Clerk for Luce Township Arrested on Official Misconduct, Theft Charges
LUCE TOWNSHIP – On September 9, 2021, former Spencer County Luce Township Trustee, Sarah Frederick (R) (pictured left above), and former Trustee’s Clerk, Angela Ward (pictured right above) were arrested by the Indiana State Police following an investigation that began in January 2020 by the Indiana State Police and the Indiana State Board of Accounts.
According to probable cause affidavits filed in the Spencer Circuit Court, Sarah Frederick is accused of illegally reimbursing herself over $4,000 for personal cell phone expenses and over $2,200 for false mileage claims. She is also accused of not returning a cell phone that was the property of Luce Township. In a separate affidavit, Frederick’s clerk, Angela Ward, is accused of improperly receiving reimbursements of over $1,800 for personal cell phone expenses and over $2,300 for false mileage claims. The affidavit also alleges that Ward received salary for the position of “recreational supervisor” when there was no approved salary budget for such a position. The affidavit also details allegations that Ward erased the contents of a computer hard drive on December 27, 2018 just prior to leaving office. Frederick resigned her position on December 4, 2018 and Ward assumed the role of township trustee until the newly elected trustee assumed office in January 2019. The acts are alleged to have occurred between January 2016 and December 2018.
Sarah Frederick is charged with Official Misconduct as a level 6 Felony; Theft as a level 6 Felony (2 counts); and Theft as a class A Misdemeanor.
Angela Ward is charged with Official Misconduct as a level 6 Felony; Obstruction of Justice as a level 6 Felony; Theft as a level 6 Felony (3 counts); and Theft as a Class A Misdemeanor.
Frederick and Ward have both been released after posting bond. Frederick continues to serve as a Republican member of the Luce Township Advisory Board.
The above information was obtained through public sources including a press release issued by the Indiana State Police and probable cause affidavits publicly filed with the court. Under the law, suspects are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
