Illinois State Police District 19 Commander, Captain Cory Ristvedt, announced today activity and enforcement figures for the month of February. Troopers in District 19, which includes Wabash, Edwards, Wayne, White, Hamilton, Saline, and Gallatin Counties, recorded 997 incidents during the month. Enforcement activity consisted of 387 citations and 735 written warnings, including 168 speeding citations, 7 DUIs, 50 occupant restraint citations, 7 criminal citations, and 241 written warnings for speeding. Troopers also assisted 55 motorists, conducted 158 Motor Carrier Safety Inspections, and investigated 37 traffic crashes. There were no fatal traffic crashes investigated by District 19 during February. Moreover, 234 citations and 275 written warnings were issued for “Fatal Four” violations. These violations are most associated with fatal traffic crashes and include DUI, Speeding, Failure to Wear a Seatbelt, and Distracted Driving.
Bridgeport Man Jailed On FTA Warrant & Driving Suspended
On 03/11/18 at 9:09 a.m. the Wabash County Sheriff's conducted a vehicle stop on Highway 1 and N 2250 Blvd. for a traffic violation. During Deputy Bogard's stop it was found that the driver, Cameron W. Jones, 34 of Bridgeport, had a suspended license and an active warrant out of Wabash County. Jones refused to exit the vehicle and struggled with Deputy Bogard during the arrest. Jones was taken into custody on the F.T.A. warrant (possession of meth) and driving suspended and transported to the Wabash County Jail, Jones was also charged with obstructing a peace officer. Jones remains jailed on a $1,150 cash bond.
Traffic Stop Lands Mt. Carmel Woman In Jail
On 03/10/18 at 10:17 A.M. the Wabash County Sheriff's Office conducted a vehicle stop at 3rd and Poplar Streets in Mt. Carmel reference an equipment violation. During Deputy Bogard's stop he found that the driver, Peyton N. Fearheiley, 22, of Mt. Carmel had a suspended driver's license and an active F.T.A. warrant out of Wabash County. Fearheiley was taken into custody and transported to the Wabash County Jail on the warrant and charged with driving suspended. Fearheiley remains in the Wabash County Jail awaiting the posting of $350 cash bond.
Keensburg Man Arrested Following High Speed Chase
On March 11, 2018 at approximately 4:52 pm, Mt. Carmel Police attempted to stop a 2000 Nissan for a traffic violation on Empire Street in Mt. Carmel. Police reported the vehicle failed to stop and turned onto Rt. 1 South from Empire Street. Police reported once on Route 1 the vehicle accelerated to 100 mph. Police stated the vehicle eventually came to a stop at Highway 1 and 920 Lane. Police identified the driver as Jered W Wagner, age 34, of Keensburg. Wagner told the arresting officer he couldn't be arrested and that he didn't have to stop for the officer because he was no longer in the city limits of Mt. Carmel. Wagner was arrested and transported to the Wabash County Jail where he was charged with aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude, disobeying a stop sign, speeding (100 mph in 55 mph), operating an uninsured motor vehicle, and unlawful use of registration. Wagner is being held pending the posting of bond. Mt. Carmel Police were assisted by the Wabash County Sheriff's Office.
Albion Pair Busted For Meth Possession By MCPD
On 3/09/18 Mt. Carmel Police arrested Christina I. Dorney, age 31, and Justin J.M. Boner, age 30, both of Albion, IL for Possession of Methamphetamine and Drug Paraphernalia following a traffic stop in the 400 block of West 9th Street. Officer Hopper and his K-9 Ace conducted a free air narcotics sniff around the exterior of the vehicle which resulted in Ace alerting to the presence of narcotics. A search led to officers locating suspected methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia as well as a stun gun/flashlight. Dorney was also charged with Unlawful Use of Weapon as a result of the stun gun being located. Both were transported to the Wabash County Jail, charged and held pending a bond setting by a judge.
Mt. Carmel Man Jailed On Meth Possession Warrant
On 3/09/18 Mt. Carmel Police arrested Brian K. McKendree, age 38, of Mt. Carmel, on a Wabash County Warrant for Possession of Methamphetamine. McKendree was located at a residence in the 100 block of West 6th Street. McKendree was transported to the Wabash County Jail where he was issued his warrant and is being held on a $1000 cash bond.
FTA Warrant Leads To Resisting Charge For Mt. Carmel Man
On 3/09/18 Mt. Carmel Police arrested Gregory A. Williams, age 55, of Mt. Carmel, on a Failure to Appear Warrant out of Wabash County. Williams was located at a residence located in the 900 block of North Walnut Street. Williams attempted to flee out the back door of the residence but was taken into custody. Williams was transported to the Wabash County Jail where he was issued the arrest warrant as well as a charge for Resisting a Peace Officer. Williams is being held on a total of $350 cash bond.
One Injured In I-57 Crash
ISP TRAFFIC CRASH ALERT
The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by Illinois State Police District 12
WHAT: Personal Injury Crash
WHERE: Interstate 57 Northbound near milepost 176 (1 mile south of Neoga)
WHEN: Approximately 6:27 PM on 3/09/18
VEHICLES: Unit #1 – Red 2010 Ford Focus Unit #2 – White 2010 Dodge Caliber
DRIVER: Unit #1 – Brianna K. Morton, 21, Champaign, IL.
Unit #2 – Katie A. Reis, 23, Naperville, IL
PASSENGERS: Unit #1 – Jeffrey D. Morton, 55, Champaign, IL
CHARGES: Brianna K. Morton was cited for Improper Lane Usage
TRANSPORTS: Reis was transported by ambulance to Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center in Mattoon for treatment of minor injuries.
PRELIMINARY: Preliminary investigative details indicate Unit 1 was traveling northbound in the left lane of I-57. While trying to execute a lane change into the right lane, Unit 1 struck the rear driver’s side of Unit 2 which was already occupying the right lane. The collision caused Unit 2 to skid off the roadway into the median, striking several wooden crash posts, and then overturn before coming to rest on its top in the southbound lanes of traffic. The driver of Unit 1 also lost control and entered the center median, striking the ditch/embankment in the median before coming to rest in median.
All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law
Law Enforcement Drill Held At Allendale School
Today, Allendale CCSD 17 held its annual Law Enforcement Drill at the school. State Police Sgt. Mark Zimmerman, State Police Officer Ashley Reeder, and Wabash County Sheriff Derek Morgan all met with Superintendent Bob Bowser to discuss plans for how students, faculty, and staff should react in situations of a soft lockdown, as well as a hard lockdown.
The group also took a tour of the building to determine what can be done to make it safe for all within the building during a school day.
Then at 10:03 am, a soft lockdown drill took place involving all students, faculty, and staff, with the officers walking around to observe how everyone was reacting and handling the situation. Following the drill, an assembly for all students in Kindergarten through 8th grade convened in the gymnasium in order to hear from Officer Zimmerman and Sheriff Morgan on topics related to the drill, as well as bullying.
Students, faculty, and staff did a fantastic job in the drill and are very appreciative of local Law Enforcement coming to our school to provide their expertise as to how to stay safe in an instance where a soft lockdown or hard lockdown are needed. Students were also reminded that the Sheriff's Department will be in the building on a daily basis and ready to listen to students if they have information to share to keep the school community safe.
Mr. Bowser also reminded students of the Text-A-Tip line and will be distributing cards with the phone number to all junior high students and faculty/staff members thanks to SRO Erin Peach.
State Police Officer Mark Zimmerman and Sheriff Derek Morgan observing a passing period at Allendale School.
State Police Officer Mark Zimmerman speaking with students, faculty, and staff following the soft lockdown drill.
State Police Officer Ashley Reeder, Sheriff Derek Morgan, Superintendent Bob Bowser, and State Police Officer Mark Zimmerman in the assembly with students, faculty, and staff.
ISP SEIZE 432 POUNDS OF CANNABIS LAST TWO DAYS TRAFFIC STOPS ON I-70
District 12 Illinois State Police troopers patrolling Interstate 70, conducted traffic stops which yielded a total of 432 pounds of illicit cannabis in the past two days. The street value of the seized cannabis was approximately $1,080.000.00.
On Tuesday, March 6, 2018, at approximately 8:11 a.m., an ISP trooper initiated a traffic stop on a red Toyota passenger car for traffic violations on Interstate 70 near Effingham. During the traffic stop, approximately 71 pounds of cannabis was discovered. The driver, Matthew Taffer, 23, of Leesburg, VA was charged with Cannabis Trafficking. Mr. Taffer was incarcerated at the Effingham County Jail. The Effingham County State’s Attorney and Southeastern Illinois Drug Task Force assisted with the investigation.
On Wednesday, March 7, 2018, at approximately 1:44 p.m., an ISP trooper initiated a traffic stop on an RV for traffic violations on Interstate 70 near St. Elmo. The traffic stop resulted in the discovery of 361 pounds of cannabis. The driver, Christian Peralta Martinez, 34, of Miranda, CA. and the passenger, Shawn Hulsey, 33, of Leggett, CA were charged with Cannabis Trafficking. Both were incarcerated at the Fayette County Jail. The Fayette County State’s Attorney and the Southeastern Illinois Drug Task Force assisted with the investigation.
“The Illinois State Police remain focused on battling the unlawful trafficking of illicit substances and criminal activity in and around our communities ” said ISP District 12 Commander, Captain Cory Ristvedt.
