INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Center Township Constable Denise Hatch on Tuesday pleaded guilty to three criminal charges, including a felony charge, in Marion County.

Hatch has been embroiled in legal trouble for months, facing felony and misdemeanor charges in a total of four separate court cases. They included allegations of stealing produce from a grocery store and interfering with Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers’ arrest of one of her deputy constables for being a felon in possession of a firearm. The most recent charges, filed last week, stemmed from a confrontation in late September between Hatch and Township Trustee LaDonna Freeman.

On Tuesday morning, Hatch pleaded guilty to one count each of official misconduct and unlawful carrying of a handgun, both stemming from an incident that occurred while she faced charges related to the produce theft allegations and the confrontation with IMPD officers. She also pleaded guilty to one count of disorderly conduct in connection to the confrontation with Freeman. In exchange, Judge William Nelson sentenced her to a total of 288 days in jail but credited her with time served. Under time-served rules for misdemeanors and Level 6 felonies — the lowest level of felony — it meant Hatch did not have to serve any further jail time. She also was not given any probation.

Hancock County Prosecutor Brent Eaton, who served as a special prosecutor for the cases against Hatch, said the agreement assures Hatch’s behavior will not happen again.

“Here, there is an ongoing pattern of behavior that, every single time, with these incidents, it seemed that she was presenting herself in such a way that she was above the law and could not be held accountable for what she was doing,” he said. “And that was the thread that ran through these, which was very troubling.”

Hatch’s attorney, Mario Massillamany, told News 8 it was a fair resolution. He said Hatch faced anywhere from six months to two and a half years in prison in each of the four cases against her. Massillamany said Hatch maintains the charges against her were politically motivated.

“She believes there was a target on her back from Day 1,” he said.

Official misconduct is a Level 6 felony. As a result, Hatch, who was elected in 2022 and took office at the beginning of last year, has been automatically removed from office. Under an order from Center Township Small Claims Court Judge Brenda Roper, the constables of the other eight townships in Marion County have served as special constables for the township since Oct. 17, 2023.

Democratic Party officials say Center Township precinct committee members will caucus within the next 30 days to pick a new constable. That person will serve out the remainder of Hatch’s term, which runs through the end of 2026.