Wayne County auditor’s dispute with neighbors leads to intimidation charges.
Wayne County Auditor Mark Hoelscher has been charged with two counts of intimidation over messages he allegedly placed in the mailboxes of his neighbors.
The charges filed against Hoelscher on Wednesday in Wayne Superior Court 3 are Class A misdemeanors, each carrying up to a year in jail.
According to an affidavit filed by an Indiana State Police trooper, police on Jan. 16 responded to reports of harassment in the 4900 block of Esteb Road, in southern Wayne County.
A resident there said his surveillance cameras had captured images of the 77-year-old Hoelscher, who lives nearby, approaching the mailboxes of neighbors.
The state trooper reported envelopes found in two mailboxes contained the same message, “Break into my house again or hurt any of my animals I will give you something to arrest me for.”
Hoelscher reportedly admitted he had placed the messages in the mailboxes, the state trooper wrote. The county auditor maintained his neighbors had been “harassing” him and had made threats.
Hoelscher reportedly indicated he intended the messages to serve as “a warning” and said he had earlier discussed the situation with Wayne County Sheriff Randy Retter.
The affidavit did not address what had led to the conflict between Hoelscher and the other Esteb Road residents.
Hoelscher had earlier contacted neighbors with concerns about a fireworks business in Liberty that he said could result in additional truck traffic on Esteb Road.
A trial date has not yet been set. Union County Prosecutor Andrew Bryston has apparently been appointed special prosecutor in the case.
Court records reflect no prior charges against Hoelscher.
