Press Releases

The Grand Jury of Elkhart County was convened on September 2, 2025, by the Elkhart County Circuit Court at the request of Prosecuting Attorney Vicki Elaine Becker. The Grand Jury heard evidence regarding the facts and circumstances surrounding allegations that Elkhart County Clerk Christopher Anderson, and one of his Chief Deputy Clerks Carol Smith, approved the expenditure of public funds without proper authorization. In September 2024, the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office and the Indiana State Board of Accounts were notified of several concerns with certain clerk employees receiving payment for hours that they did not actually work, and that the practice had been going on for several years. In June of 2025, the SBOA issued public report 25840C summarizing non-compliance with Elkhart County Policy as well as Indiana law by Anderson and Smith and documenting that Anderson was aware of the long-standing practice of paying supervisors for 80 hours even though they only had to work 72. Further illustrating the endorsement of this practice, Smith had sent an email to a newly appointed Supervisor of the Clerk’s Office in August of 2022 advising that “You get paid for 80 hours even though you only work 72. The idea is the Supervisor is usually first in and last out, so it’s just a bit of extra for the Supervisor taking on the job.” The Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office conducted a criminal investigation into the same allegation to determine if the alleged conduct violated the criminal laws of the State of Indiana.

The Elkhart County Homicide Unit has arrested one Franklin Elmore, Jr. (29), and one Cheyenne Elmore (27), both of Elkhart, for the August 3, 2025, murder of Franklin Elmore’s six-year-old child residing with them at their residence on County Road 22, Elkhart, Indiana. Although the initial report was that the child had allegedly “hit himself” and was unresponsive, emergency treatment providers at Elkhart General Hospital observed that some of the injuries apparently sustained by the victim were not believed to be self-inflicted, including a traumatic brain injury and a punctured lung. Further investigation demonstrated that Cheyenne Elmore had previously complained to Franklin Elmore, Jr., about the behavior of the six-year-old child to Franklin Elmore, Jr., and that Franklin Elmore, Jr., and Cheyenne Elmore would discipline the child by forcing him to engage in lengthy physical exercise and “whoop” him with a belt or a hand. Investigators observed numerous bruises and abrasions on the body of the child after his death. The events that occurred immediately before his death reflect that both Franklin and Cheyenne Elmore were home with the child at approximately 8:45 pm when Franklin Elmore, Jr., attacked the child in his “playroom.” Shortly thereafter, the child became unresponsive and later died after emergency transport to the hospital.

Prosecuting Attorney Vicki Elaine Becker is joining prosecutors, the Indiana Department of Child Services/Child Support Bureau, and child support services agencies throughout the country to recognize August as Child Support Awareness Month

The evidence now received by the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney establishes that the two (2) cats that were destroyed by the individuals originally accused of animal abuse in Elkhart Superior Court were feral cats that had not only damaged a ceiling structure of the business property where they were captured, but also an item with established and documented value to the business.

The formal charges against three individuals filed earlier this week, arising from an allegation of animal cruelty at a local business, have been dismissed due to the need for further investigation and clarification of facts and circumstances alleged and documented during that investigation.

After reviewing investigative materials surrounding the officer-involved fatal shooting of Juan M. Sanchez outside of Martin’s Super Market on January 27, 2025, it is clear that the use of deadly force by both Cpl. Vandenburg and Patrolman Pasternak was justified. Accordingly, no criminal charges will be filed arising from this matter.

January 27, 2025, was a tragic day in Elkhart County. Benjamin S. Jeffrey (49), and Annasue Rocha (19), both of Elkhart, were killed by a lone gunman at approximately 5:45 pm in the Martin’s Supermarket on East Jackson Boulevard in Elkhart, Indiana. Miss Rocha was an employee of Martin’s. Mr. Jeffrey was a customer at the time of the gunman’s attack.

On November 3, 2024, at around 4:40 a.m., the Elkhart Police Department responded to a shooting with injuries at 754 County Road 3, Elkhart, IN. Upon arrival, officers located a person identified as Romulo Reyes (33 years old) of Elkhart, near the front of the property with an apparent gunshot wound.

In late December of 2023, it was reported that William D. Hensley (43), of Elkhart, was missing. Due to some of the circumstances reported, the Elkhart County Homicide Unit started an investigation, engaging in numerous interviews, searches, and other investigative efforts

On December 13, 2023, the multi-agency Elkhart County Intelligence and Covert Enforcement (ICE) Unit conducted a search warrant on a residence on County Road 117 in Elkhart County after working in collaboration with the Kent Area Narcotics Enforcement Team (KANET) from Kent County, Michigan.