Deputy Charged With $360 Pay Fraud

MARION COUNTY, Ind. A former Henry County sheriff’s deputy faces four felony charges after investigators say he collected $360 for a shift he did not work.

Sgt. Ryan Burns, 41, is accused of billing the county for hours spent on Operation Pullover, a traffic safety program. State police say Burns claimed he worked from 7 p.m. on Feb. 27 until 3 a.m. on Feb. 28. During much of that window, he was actually providing security for a construction project along I-70 in Marion County.

The Henry County Sheriff’s Office opened an internal investigation in May 2026. The case was later transferred to Indiana State Police. Burns was placed on leave on May 13 and has since resigned.

Court records show Burns admitted to investigators that he claimed hours for Operation Pullover while employed by the private security firm. Investigators determined he claimed at least six hours for work he did not perform. He received $360 for that time.

Burns is charged with theft, fraud, official misconduct, and ghost employment. A special prosecutor from Hancock County is handling the case. Henry County Sheriff John Sproles stated the department takes misconduct allegations seriously and is committed to holding employees accountable regardless of rank.

No initial court hearing has been scheduled yet, and a bond amount has not been set.