State Police: Ripley County Councilman, High School Coach Had Relations With Player

Monday, March 26th, 2018 3:52pm

By Mike Perleberg

Chad Pindell was formally charged Monday in Ripley County Circuit Court.

Chad Pindell. Photo by Ripley County Sheriff's Office.

(Osgood, Ind.) - Chad Pindell, a Ripley County Councilman and former assistant basketball coach at Jac-Cen-Del High School, is accused of having a sexual relationship with a player.

Pindell, 35, was formally charged Monday in Ripley County Circuit Court with Child Seduction (level 5 felony) and Providing Obscene Matter and Performances Before Minors (level 6 felony).

Indiana State Police began to investigate the allegations in February after two students involved with the team shared information with a school employee. According to a probable cause affidavit, Pindell admitted to engaging in sexual acts with a 17-year-old female in a coaches’ office at the high school following a practice a couple weeks earlier.

The student told investigators she and Pindell had also exchanged sexual images by text message and Snapchat.

Investigators say Pindell left his job as a teacher at Jac-Cen-Del Elementary School in August of 2017 in order to become a pastor of discipleship at Batesville Christian Church. However, he continued to be involved as an assistant coach with the high school girls basketball junior varsity and varsity teams until his resignation from that position in February.

Pindell was elected a member of Ripley County Council as a Republican in 2014. He has filed to run for re-election in 2018 and he is uncontested for the GOP nomination in Council District 3 in the May 8 primary election. There has been no indication on whether he plans to remain in office or seek re-election.

Pindell was incarcerated in the Ripley County Jail pending his initial court appearance in the Ripley County Circuit Court.

The Indiana State Police was assisted by the Ripley County Prosecutor’s Office and the Indiana Department of Child Services.

Events

Memorial Day Services
American Legion Northcutt-Laaker Post 292, Dillsboro will perform Memorial Day Services on Sunday, May 26 at 1:00 p.m. at Oakdale Cemetery in Dillsboro. For more information, please contact the Legion Post at (812) 432-9200.
26th May at Oakdale Cemetery
Memorial Day Services
American Legion Northcutt-Laaker Post 292, Dillsboro will perform Memorial Day Services on Sunday, May 26 at 3:00 p.m. at St. John Cemetery in Farmers Retreat. For more information, please contact the Legion Post at (812) 432-9200.
26th May at St. John Lutheran Church
Dillsboro Public Library Photo Contest
The Dillsboro Public Library has been selected to host a traveling Smithsonian exhibit, "Crossroads: Change in Rural America," which highlights the changing landscape in rural America. Since 1900, the percentage of Americans living in rural areas dropped from 60 percent to 17 percent, yet the vast majority of America’s physical landscape remains rural.
27th May at Dillsboro Public Library

2019 Memorial Day Observances In Eagle Country

All gave some, but some gave all.

One Year Later, Tom Biedenharn's Murder Remains Unsolved

Hidden Valley resident Tom Biedenharn was found murdered in his home on Memorial Day 2018.

Local Indiana National Guard Members Will Get Send-Off At Indy 500

Some southeastern Indiana soldiers are preparing for deployment to the Middle East.

Thomas More's DeDreu Is An All-American; Finalist For National Awards

DeDreu will go down as one of the greatest softball players in TMU history.

Local Sports Report - May 23

The Rising Sun Lady Shiners won a softball sectional Thursday. East Central, Milan, and Batesville are sending runners to the IHSAA Boys Track & Field State Finals.