More than a year after charges were filed, the case involving former Wabash County Sheriff’s Deputy Chase A. Cheadle remains unresolved, with the defendant repeatedly waiving his right to a prompt preliminary hearing. Cheadle, 30, of Mt. Carmel, has now waived that right eight times since the case began.
Cheadle is accused in the July 2024 death of his K-9 partner, Kiki, and faces three Class 3 felony counts of official misconduct, along with three misdemeanor charges related to animal cruelty and failure to provide proper care.
Prosecutors allege Cheadle failed to provide Kiki adequate shelter and protection during a stretch of extreme heat between July 12th and July 14th, 2024, when temperatures climbed into the mid-90s. Officials say the prolonged heat exposure led to the dog’s death.
Earlier this year, one felony official misconduct charge and one theft-by-deception charge were dismissed, but the remaining charges stand.
The next preliminary hearing is scheduled for December 11th. Cheadle remains free under pretrial conditions as he awaits trial. The case is being prosecuted by Special Prosecutor Brian Towne, with Jonathan Turpin of Carmi representing Cheadle.