Report: Johnson County coroner is under investigation by state police

Johnson County Coroner Mike Pruitt is under investigation by Indiana State Police for allegedly buying a 17-year-old girl cannabis gummies and alcohol, sending her money, and many text messages.

According to a report from Fox 59 News, court documents show multiple text messages he sent the girl and offers to provide her alcohol and cannabis gummies. He talked about making alcohol available in a cooler in the back of his truck and at a pool house.

In July, the teen’s mother discovered Pruitt had been sending her daughter $50 per week via an online app going back to last September. Court documents say the mother told Pruitt it was inappropriate and demanded he stop sending money, Fox 59 reports.

Johnson County Sheriff Duane Burgess served Pruitt with a Protective Order approved and ordered by Special Judge David Riggins out of Shelby County on Aug. 20.

Burgess released a statement to the TV station about the investigation into Pruitt. The sheriff said, the case was referred to the Indiana State Police for investigation “to ensure transparency and maintain public confidence.”

Pruitt has not been charged with any crime in connection to the investigation. The protective order case will be heard in Johnson County.

TTWN Media Networks contributed to this report

Fox 59 News coverage is here: https://fox59.com/indiana-news/court-docs-unveil-that-johnson-county-coroner-bought-teen-girl-alcohol-cannabis-gummies