State Senator Jim Merritt is working to change Indiana’s early release law.
This comes after Fox59 first reported former Lawrence Township swim coach, Chris Wheat, who was convicted of sexual misconduct, will get out of prison after just a year and a half.
Wheat was originally sentenced to eight years in prison for sexually abusing a 14-year-old girl.
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Now, legislators are putting their support behind new laws that would place stricter controls over who is allowed out of prison and when.
Merritt released a statement, saying “It’s unacceptable for the state’s ‘early release’ law to apply to sex offenders due to the danger they pose to vulnerable children."
He plans to introduce legislation next year to make sure sexual predators serve more time on their intended sentences.
