State Rep. candidate speaks, community reacts, after cocaine arrest

LOGANSPORT, Ind. (WLFI) - Democratic State Representative candidate Kerry Worthington, known by many in Logansport as "Worly," was arrested Thursday afternoon at his own bar, Worly's Inn..

He was arrested by Logansport police on numerous drug counts.

"He was arrested on a warrant, which was dealing cocaine," Detective with Logansport Police Bryan Hillis said. "At the scene, he was additionally charged with possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana and reckless possession of drug paraphernalia."

Worthington is well-known in the community. News of the arrest not only disappointed many, but came as a complete surprise to people who knew him for many years.

"It shocked me, completely shocked me," Logansport resident Bonnie Clem said. "I didn't think he was that type."

"I've known him for ten-plus years, and I've never known him to do something like this," Logansport resident Marty Pattengale said.

"I was really shocked," Logansport resident Steven Tinscher said. "I couldn't believe something like that happened. I've known Worly for a long time and I was really upset to hear that."

The disappointment can be felt in the Democratic party by Miami County, the heart of District 23.

"Of course there's disappointment," Chair of Miami County Democratic Party Vicki Wheeler said. "He was running a very close campaign. He was working very diligently over here."

Worthington bonded out of the Cass County Jail Thursday night, just hours after his arrest.

NewsChannel 18 took a visit to Worthington's home in Logansport where he quickly answered the door. When asked what his next step with the election will be following his arrest, his response was simple.

"I don't know yet," Kerry Worthington said. "I'll have to let you know."

According to Chapter 8 of the Indiana Election Code, being removed from the ballot this close to an election requires very specific conditions. None of which Worthington has met.

"There's only a couple of ways a candidate can be removed from a ballot," Co-Director of Tippecanoe County Elections Board Jared Bond said. "If the candidate were to pass away, if the candidate were to move out of the election district in which they were running, or if the candidate were to be found guilty of a felony."

As of now, Worthington remains the Democratic candidate for State Representative of District 23 and will face incumbent Republican Bill Friend on Nov. 6.

NewsChannel 18 left messages with the State Democratic Party and Cass County Democratic party leaders Friday. They were not returned.