FRANKLIN — Johnson County Coroner Mike Pruitt has entered a guilty plea to seven misdemeanor counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, a move that will effectively end his long career in Indiana public service.
Pruitt’s signed plea agreement, finalized on April 24, 2026, concludes a legal saga that began with his arrest in October 2025. As part of the deal, Pruitt is required to resign from his elected office as Coroner no later than January 1, 2027.
The investigation into Pruitt’s conduct centered on incidents occurring between May 2024 and July 2025. Court documents alleged that Pruitt provided alcohol and cannabis gummies to high school students, specifically two teenage girls, on multiple occasions.
According to the plea agreement, Pruitt was sentenced to one year with 363 days suspended to probation. He was given credit for two days served. Pruitt must undergo a comprehensive mental health evaluation and participate in Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT), a cognitive-behavioral program designed to enhance moral reasoning and decision-making.
Before his tenure as Johnson County Coroner, Pruitt was one of the most recognizable faces in Indiana emergency services. His career spanned several high-profile roles, including public information officer for the Wayne Township Fire Department, Deputy chief for the Bargersville Fire Department, and a long-time member of Indiana Task Force One, where he assisted in national disaster recovery efforts.
The requirement for Pruitt to resign by the start of 2027 allows for a transition period within the Johnson County government. Under Indiana law, when an elected official resigns, a caucus of the political party that held the seat (in this case, the Republican Party) will likely be convened to appoint a successor to serve out the remainder of the term.
The Johnson County Board of Commissioners has not yet commented on the timeline for appointing an interim or permanent replacement, but the office’s day-to-day operations are currently being managed by the deputy coroners.
Pruitt’s resignation aligns with broader Indiana statutes regarding public officials. While a misdemeanor conviction does not always trigger an automatic removal from office, “crimes of moral turpitude” or those that violate the oath of office often lead to negotiated resignations or removal proceedings to maintain public trust in the judicial system.
