The long-delayed preliminary hearing for former Wabash County Sheriff’s Deputy Chase Cheadle has been rescheduled once again -this time for January 8th. The new date marks the ninth delay in the case, with continuances stretching back to November 14th of last year.
Cheadle, the former canine handler for the sheriff’s department, was originally charged with eight offenses, including four counts of official misconduct, one count of theft, one count of animal cruelty, and two counts of violating animal owner duties. Five of those charges were felonies.
However, in June, Special Prosecutor Brian Towne dismissed two of the felony counts — the theft charge and one count of official misconduct.
The case centers around Kiki, the department’s K-9, whom the 30-year-old Cheadle reported finding unresponsive in July of 2024. Cheadle was arrested after an investigation into the dog’s death and resigned from the sheriff’s department the following month.
Cheadle’s preliminary hearing is now set for January 8th, pending any further delays.