Warrick County Commissioners arrested after investigation into Animal Control funds

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- All of the commissioners in Warrick County, Indiana, were arrested Thursday after Indiana State Police completed an investigation into misappropriated animal control funds.

That's according to a news release from Indiana State Police.

Danielle Barnes, a former supervisor at Warrick County Animal Control, was arrested in connection to an investigation that began on Dec. 13, 2023. Indiana State Police detectives then received information that Warrick County Commissioners Terry Phillippe, Dan Saylor, and Robert Johnson claimed they had no knowledge of Barnes' nonprofit organization called Warrick Animal Guardian (WAG), or any documents concerning WAG.

Investigators determined Barnes was operating the nonprofit while employed as a supervisor at Warrick County Animal Control. During their investigation, detectives learned that a donation of a mobile trailer to Warrick County Animal Control from WAG was accepted by the commissioners.

Investigators determined the commissioners received limited documentation from the health department regarding Barnes' conduct between December 1-4, 2023.

Detectives later learned the commissioners had allegedly been investigating Barnes for months.

During the summer of 2023, the Warrick County Health Department had closed a swimming pool and several restaurants that failed health inspections. Warrick County Commissioners allegedly instructed the health department to open the pool and restaurants.

The owners of the pool and restaurants were allegedly friends and business associates of the commissioners, according to the release. The health department ignored their orders, and the health department supervisor was later terminated by the commissioners for allegedly not opening the restaurants, pool, and cooperating with Indiana State Police during an investigation pertaining to the misappropriated funds at the Warrick County Animal Shelter.

After reviewing the results of the investigation, Perry County Prosecutor Samantha Hurst filed criminal charges on Phillippe, Saylor, and Johnson, and they were taken into custody at 12:30 p.m. on Feb. 8 after turning themselves in at the Warrick County Jail.

All three men were released after each posted a $500 cash-only bond.

Phillippe, 54, is charged with Perjury, Official Misconduct, and False Informing. Dan Saylor, 59, and Johnson, 62, are charged with Official Misconduct and False Informing.

This is an ongoing investigation.