Johnson County Coroner Mike Pruitt’s controversial tenure is coming to an end.
Pruitt will step down Aug. 5, according to his attorney, Russ Johnson. Pruitt’s resignation comes after Indiana State Police investigated his behavior with a 17-year-old girl last year. According to police and court records, Pruitt was a long-time family friend and a mentor, but her mother said Pruitt’s behavior with her daughter became inappropriate. The family requested a protective order against Pruitt in September 2025.
Pruitt was charged with 14 misdemeanors on Oct. 10, 2025. Four days later, Pruitt turned himself in at the Johnson County Jail after a warrant was issued for his arrest.
Pruitt agreed to plead guilty to seven counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor on April 27, 2026. Prosecutors would drop seven other charges related to providing alcohol to a minor if a judge accepts the plea agreement. Since being charged, Pruitt has also been accused of violating a no contact order and the prosecutor is seeking to have a judge revoke his bond. That hearing is set for August, according to online court records.
After the allegations against Pruitt became public and he returned to work, one-third of the coroner’s office resigned.
As part of his guilty plea, Pruitt agreed to step down by January 2027. Pruitt told Fox59 he wanted to ensure the budget projection for 2027 finished before leaving his post. Pruitt didn’t respond to the IndyStar’s requests for comment.
After Pruitt leaves the role, Chief Deputy Coroner Amanda Swartz will run the office in the interim, Fox59 reported. Swartz didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.
A bond hearing for Pruitt’s case is scheduled for early August.
Aubrey Wright is a breaking news reporter for the Indy Star. She can be reached at amwright@indystar.com.
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This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Johnson County coroner steps down earlier than expected; criminal case pending
Reporting by Aubrey Wright, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
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By Aubrey Wright, Indianapolis Star | USA TODAY Network
