Center Township Constable Denise Paul Hatch has been arrested.
She was arrested February 8.
Hatch has been charged with two felonies and a misdemeanor. The felonies are official misconduct and attempting assisting a criminal. She was also charged with attempting resisting law enforcement.
According to court records, on October 4, 2023, one of Hatch’s Deputy Constables was pulled over on 4000 North High School Road for nearly getting into an accident. The vehicle had expired plates, and the Deputy was not wearing a seat belt.
It was discovered during the stop that the driver had a handgun in the front passenger side, and he was prohibited from possessing a firearm due to a prior conviction for domestic violence. The deputy constable did flash his constable badge but to no avail.
Apparently, while the officer was running the plates, the Deputy got on the phone with Hatch. Hatch demanded to speak to the officer, but he refused to talk with her. When the officer ordered the Deputy constable to get out of the car, Hatch could be heard on the phone telling the Deputy not to comply.
According to the probable cause affidavit, Hatch arrived at the scene and told the officers to release the constable, and later, she tried to get him out of the car.
Hatch was arrested last week. However, the indictment was sealed initially for fear that Hatch would find out. It was unsealed after her arrest.
Click here to read the probable cause affidavit.
Hatch’s initial court appearance is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb.14.
If Hatch is convicted of one of the felony charges, she would have to vacate the office under Indiana law.
