On 8/23/25, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Jaxsun S. Keepes, age 18, of Bellmont, for Possession of a Stolen Firearm, Possession of a Firearm without a Valid FOID, Unlawful Possession of Firearm Ammunition, Cyberstalking, and Harassment through Electronic Communications. The arrest was a result of an investigation into Keepes making alleged threats of harm through electronic communications to another individual, which included references to a firearm. This incident resulted in a complaint being signed against Keepes. As MCPD attempted to locate Keepes, MCPD and the Wabash County Sheriff’s Office were advised of an unrelated reckless driver complaint coming into Mt. Carmel from Indiana. Upon stopping the vehicle at 3rd & Walnut, the officer located Keepes, who was seated as a passenger. The officer placed Keepes under arrest at this time, without incident. During the arrest, officers located a loaded 9 mm Glock handgun inside the vehicle where near Keepes was seated. This firearm matched that of the firearm referenced in the original threat complaint. Additionally, this firearm had been reported stolen to the Wabash County Sheriff’s Office on a separate complaint from a county resident. Keepes was transported to the Wabash County Jail, where he was charged and held pending a pre-trial release determination by the court.
