CARROLL COUNTY, Ind. (WLFI) - Carroll County Prosecutor Rob Ives is stepping down. He's prepared to leave before charges are filed in two very high-profile cases.

"There's no particular reason. It's a variety of private and personal reasons," said Ives.

He has decided to step down at the end of this year.

"It just seemed like a good time to do it and I chose to do it."

Ives was first appointed prosecutor in 1987.

"I lost that next election, but then four years later, I won an election. Then I lost another election. Then four years, I won another election and then I lost another election and then I was elected again and the last time, I had no opposition," explained Ives. "So, this most recent time, I've been the prosecuting attorney for seven years."

He said there have certainly been highs.

"When you're the prosecuting attorney, your only obligation is to do what's right, what's correct. You're just trying to protect people."

Then there have been tough times, most notably this last year. Four sisters were killed in the Flora house fire last November and Abby Williams and Libby German were murdered in February.

Ives said in any given year, the county puts out 20-25 subpoenas and search warrants. This year was different.

"In a 3-month period there, we put out 190."

He wants people to know several investigators continue to work on the two cases every day.

"No one has given up, no one has given up hope and there are always good developments, but I can say this--there are no charges imminent, nothing is going to happen in the near real future, unless something breaks," said Ives.

He said if charges had already been filed, he most likely would not resign and try to see them through. He said whoever replaces him should have that same opportunity. He is more than willing to offer any help .

The Republican party will now have to hold caucus to replace Ives for the remaining year of his term.