The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
On November 7, 2022, the Hancock County State’s Attorney Rachel Mast announced that she formally resigned from her position there effective November 14, 2022 at 8:00 a.m. and she accepted an appointment to serve as the Henderson County State’s Attorney, which is effective November 14, 2022 at 8:01 a.m.
The Henderson County States Attorney Colby Hatheway has resigned, effective November 14, to accept a nearby Judge appointment.
Mast said, "It has been an honor and a privilege to work for the people of Hancock County. This change in position will allow me to work within the same judicial circuit and prosecute many of the same issues that our rural communities continue to face.
"This was a difficult decision, but I believe my family will be better served by this change."
Mast said throughout this process, she has kept the Hancock County Republican Central Committee informed and feels confident that the Republican Central Committee and the County Board will act swiftly to fill her vacancy.
"I am sincerely grateful for having had the opportunity to serve as the Hancock County State’s Attorney," she said.
Mast has prosecuted over 700 felony cases including, but not limited to, first degree murder, home invasion, predatory criminal sexual assault of a child, aggravated domestic battery, aggravated discharge of a firearm, residential burglary, other theft related offenses, and many drug offenses.
"Many of these crimes are victim sensitive," she explains. "I have worked diligently to communicate with crime victims throughout the process to arrive at the most appropriate punitive outcomes, with some offenders receiving de facto life sentences.
Mast listed some of these cases which include the prosecution of the following individuals:
People v. Marvin Kirby, Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse (multiple counts/cases), 77 years in the Department of Corrections
People v. Daniel Lafferty, Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault of a Child, Possession of Child Pornography, 55 years in the Department of Corrections.
People v. Andrew Dehaven, First Degree Murder, 50 years Department of Corrections
People v. Robert Dowell, Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault of a Child, 45 years in the Department of Corrections
People v. Antonio Sanchez, Second Degree Murder, 20 years in the Department of Corrections
People v. Shaun Dehaven, Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm (in the direction of law enforcement), 18 years in the Department of Corrections
People v. Jonah Vistante, Criminal Sexual Assault, 14 years in the Department of Corrections
People v. David Hiland, Criminal Sexual Assault, 10 years in the Department of Corrections
People v. David Omiatek, Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault of a Child, 10 years in the Department of Corrections.
Mast ended her annoucement with this comment:
"I look forward to the opportunity to serve as the Henderson County State’s Attorney and continuing to serve the public in that capacity."