Bond will remain at $1,000 cash for 34 year old Gavin Roberts of Mt. Carmel. A 7 day bond review hearing was held today in Wabash County Circuit. State’s Attorney Cassandra Goldman said the bond should remain at $1,000 cash since Roberts is already on probation in two other felony cases and has two pending felony charges facing him including the theft charge that he’s currently been jailed. Judge Christopher Weber agreed that no changes should be made to Roberts’ bond. A preliminary hearing in the most recent felony theft case was set for May 15th.
Molstad To Enter 24-Month Offender Initiative Program On Drug Charge
Charges against an 18-year-old Mt. Carmel teen who was charged with delivery of a controlled substance while on school property may be dismissed if he completes a 24-month offender initiative program. Jacob Molstad was charged March 6th with the Class X felony for allegedly delivering a substance containing Xanax to a 16-year-old boy on the Mt. Carmel High School parking lot.
Appearing in court this afternoon, Judge Christopher Weber approved the agreement that would see Molstad enter the 2-year offender initiative program saying there were no prior felony charges. If he is successful in staying out of trouble, an amended Class 2 felony charge of delivery of a controlled substance would be dismissed. The agreement also calls for Molstad to report to the probation office, complete 30 hours of community service, attend classes to receive his GED or high school diploma, and pay fines and court costs.
Catt Pleads Not Guilty To Alleged Sex Crime
20 year old William L. Catt of Mt. Carmel has pled not guilty to a charge of criminal sexual abuse between the age of 13 and 17. Catt was arrested last month after he was found in the bedroom of a 15 year old girl on Walnut Street. During an appearance this afternoon in Wabash County Circuit Court, Catt waived his rights to a preliminary hearing and arraignment and entered the not guilty plea. A pre-trial conference in the case was set for June 5th. At the time of his arrest, Catt was out on bond awaiting sentencing on a 2017 Wabash County conviction for aggravated criminal sexual abuse between the age of 13 and 17. Sentencing in that case is set for May 22nd. He is being held without bond in the Wabash County Jail.
Fourth Death Related to Synthetic Cannabinoids
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is reporting the fourth death connected to synthetic cannabinoid use. The most recent death was a woman in her 30s in central Illinois. Two men, one in his 20s and another in his 40s, have also died in central Illinois. A Chicago-area man in his 20s also passed away. More than 150 people in Illinois in 13 counties have been sickened by synthetic cannabinoids laced with rat poison.
“We continue to see new cases of individuals experiencing severe bleeding after using synthetic cannabinoids,” said IDPH Director Nirav D. Shah, M.D., J.D. “Like so many other drugs, synthetic cannabinoids are addictive and people are not able to give them up. Alternatively, they think that it won’t happen to them because they know their dealer or trust wherever they purchased the drugs. If you know someone who uses synthetic cannabinoids, tell them these are deadly products and try to help them get treatment.”
Individuals who have been sickened by the synthetic cannabinoids have reported coughing up blood, blood in the urine, severe bloody nose, bleeding gums, and/or internal bleeding. A chemical found in rat poison, brodifacoum, prevents blood from clotting, resulting in severe bleeding. High doses of vitamin K, up to 30 tablets a day for up to six months, can help restore the blood’s ability to clot.
Because of the large amount of vitamin K needed, the long duration of treatment, and costs up to thousands of dollars per patient, IDPH started discussions with key stakeholders to find a solution with no financial burden on patients. IDPH recently received a massive donation of nearly 800,000 tablets of vitamin K from the Bausch Foundation and Valeant Pharmaceuticals. This donation will allow every individual who has experienced severe bleeding to receive lifesaving treatment free of charge.
Synthetic cannabinoids are human-made, mind-altering chemicals that are sprayed on to dried plant material. These chemicals are called cannabinoids because they act on the same brain cell receptors as the main active ingredient in marijuana. The health effects from using synthetic cannabinoids can be unpredictable, harmful, and deadly.
People should not use synthetic cannabinoids, but if they have used these drugs and have severe, unexplained bleeding or bruising, call 911 or take them to the emergency department.
More information is available at http://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/prevention-wellness/medical-cannabis/synthetic-cannabinoids.
Owensville man arrested for DUI
On April 22, 2018, at 12:15 a.m. Gibson County Sgt. John Fischer observed a Black 2012 Chevy Malibu traveling left of center on Warrenton Road near the Log Inn. Upon conducting a traffic stop Sgt. Fischer detected the odor of alcohol coming from the driver 24 year old Adam Dike of Owensville. At that point a roadside DUI investigation was conducted. At the conclusion of Sgt. Fischer’s investigation Mr. Dike was taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Jail. Upon arriving at the Gibson County Jail Mr. Dike was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated. He has since posted a $650 bond.
Assisting Sgt. Fischer in his investigation was Deputy Loren Barchett and Fort Branch Officer Jeff Beck.
All Criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Mt. Carmel City Council Meeting 4/23/18
Mt. Carmel City Council Meeting 4/23/18
Last Run For WGH Cardiac Attack Car At Downhill Derby
After dominating the first four years of the Mt. Carmel Kiwanis Club Downhill Derby, Saturday's race will be the last one for the Wabash General Hospital Cardiac Attack car.
At tonight's WGH Board of Directors meeting, CEO Jay Purvis made the announcement saying "win, lose, or draw", the Cardiac Attack car will retire after this weekend's race down the hill on East 3rd Street.
Come out and see if any car can knock off the WGH car in their final attempt. Races start at 2pm Saturday.
Reckless Driving Complaint Leads To Arrest
On 04/23/18, at 2:04pm, the Wabash County Sheriff's Office in conjunction with the Mt. Carmel Police Department, stopped a 2007 Chevy Tahoe reference a reckless driving complaint from the Gibson Co. Sheriff's Office (IN). K9 Ace was requested for a free air narcotics sniff and alerted on the vehicle. Deputies and Officers discovered hypodermic syringes and an unknown substance. The driver, 25 year old Chelse Wilkinson, was taken into custody and charged with possession of hypodermic syringes. Wilkinson was released on a $150 cash bond. Further charges are pending.
Wagner Arrested On Burglary Warrant
On 04/22/18 at 121:13pm, the Wabash County Sheriff's Office arrested 34 year old Jered W. Wagner of Keensburg. Wagner had an active warrant for Burglary with bond being set at $3,000 cash. Wagner is accused of entering a building in the rural Keensburg area in the early morning hours on April 10th, with the intent to commit a felony or theft. Wagner remains in the Wabash County Jail.
WCSO Makes Warrant Arrest
On 04/21/18 at 1:43pm, the Wabash County Sheriff's Office made a traffic stop at E 400 Rd. and Highway 1 for a traffic violation. A passenger in the vehicle, 29 year old Jessica Bilotta, of Mt. Carmel was taken into custody on an out of County warrant. Bilotta later posted a $375 cash bond.
