Four felony charges filed against former Mt. Carmel High School basketball coach Tyler Buss will be dismissed if he completes an 18-month offender initiative program.
Buss was in Wabash County Circuit Court this morning for his first appearance on the three Class 3 felony theft charges and a Class 3 felony forgery charge filed on April 1st by State’s Attorney Kelli Storckman.
During today’s court appearance, Storckman presented the plan that would place Buss into the offender initiative program. During the next 18 months, Buss will be prohibited from violating any criminal statute or ordinance; possessing a firearm or other dangerous weapon; engaging in any gambling/betting activities either in person or online. That includes sports betting, fantasy league-based betting, card, or slot machine gambling, or any activities that involve playing games of chance for personal gain or wagering currency on the performance of others in any activity. Buss was also ordered to immediately participate in an assessment related to gambling addiction and shall complete any treatment recommended as a result of that assessment including any inpatient, intensive outpatient, or group treatment that is recommended.
In addition, Buss was fined $1,000 and must pay restitution to Wabash District #348 in the amount of $2,666.29*. The fine must be paid within the next 18 months and the restitution must be paid within the next 12 months. The 38 year old Buss is allowed to leave the state but must inform the probation department of any extended out of state stays.
Judge William C. Hudson accepted the terms of the agreement and told Buss that violating even just one of the points of the program could result in the case going forward to arraignment. If Buss is successful in completing the program, the four felony charges will be dismissed and not appear on his record.
On April 1st, Storckman filed three Class 3 felony theft charges and one Class 3 felony forgery charge against the Keensburg man who also served as assistant principal at Mt. Carmel Grade School. He resigned both positions last July citing health concerns and a desire to spend more time with family as the reasons for stepping down.
In September 2024, Mt. Carmel Police said an investigation was underway into financial issues into the Golden Aces basketball program. In the three theft counts, Storckman alleged Buss took unauthorized control of between $500 and $10,000 in monies belonging to District #348 on July 23rd, 2021, December 31st, 2021, and August 18th, 2022. The forgery charge alleges Buss delivered to First National Bank a document purported to be an outstanding invoice from HUDL for $950 that Buss knew was altered.
Buss is being represented by attorney Troy Parrish of Mt. Vernon.
*Typo has been corrected in original post. $2,666.29 is the correct restitution amount.