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Inmate on work release in Indiana accused of stealing election equipment

Posted at 4:47 PM, Oct 25, 2018
and last updated 2018-10-26 08:20:44-04

ANDERSON, Indiana — An inmate on work release in an Indiana county is accused of stealing election equipment. The Madison County Clerk says no voting was compromised. 

Indiana State Police said Tyler Sink, 26, was on work release in Madison County and was authorized to work at the clerk's office. 

Investigators said an employee with the Madison County Justice Center told police they found a personal electronic ballot and a memory card hidden in Sink's personal belongings. 

State police say they believe Sink stole the equipment after he volunteered to set up a voting site while on work release. 

Madison County Clerk Darlene Likens says the compromised machines are not being used in early voting and that no voter information was stolen. 

"There is nothing, nothing was compromised," said Likens. "Nothing of our election was compromised, not the integrity of it but it's picked up something I don't think he had a clue what it was."

Madison County Prosecutor Rodney Cummings issued the following statement:

"It's always a concern when there's possible impropriety in regards to the voting process. I'm glad authorities got to this before illegal votes were cast."

Sink, who was originally serving drug-related charges is now facing an additional misdemeanor theft charge.