WABASH COUNTY, IN- Joel A. McColley, age 36, from Lagro, IN, pleaded guilty to the charge of Child Molesting, a Level 4 Felony, and was sentenced on July 13, 2026, in the Wabash Circuit Court to twelve years in the Indiana Department of Correction.
The sentencing range for a Level 4 Felony is two to twelve years with an advisory sentence of six years. While Indiana has different levels of felony charges for child molesting conduct, the facts and circumstances in this case were of the Level 4 Felony offense.
During the alleged events, Mr. McColley was an Assistant Fire Chief for the Pleasant Township Fire Department and a volunteer with the Lagro Fire Department and Wabash County EMA. The case was investigated by the Wabash County Sheriff’s Department, North Manchester Police Department, and the Indiana State Police.
Wabash County Prosecutor William C. Hartley, Jr. represented the State of Indiana and the defendant was represented by Attorney Todd Whitehurst.
