Welfare check results in arrest of wanted felon and an additional female

On September 7, 2020, at 7:56 a.m. Patoka Town Marshal Darryl Chamberlain was dispatched to a residence in the 300 block of South West Mill Street in Patoka to conduct a welfare check of the residents. While enroute to the scene Officer Chamberlain learned that 19-year-old Kaylee R. Reedy of Terre Haute was inside the residence without the permission of the homeowner. Further Officer Chamberlain learned that Ms. Reedy was brought to the residence by a man in a Black Chevy Monte Carlo. Upon arriving in the area Officer Chamberlain located a Black 2001 Chevy Monte Carlo parked on River Road near the train trestle. At that point Officer Chamberlain performed an investigatory stop on the vehicle and identified the driver as 30-year-old Michael Lovins of Martinsville, Indiana. Upon running Mr. Lovins through the National Crime Information Center and Indiana Data And Communications System it was discovered that Mr. Lovins had an outstanding warrant through Morgan County for Possession of Methamphetamines and Owens County for Burglary.

At that point Officer Chamberlain and Sergeant Bruce Vanoven attempted to place Mr. Lovins into custody and he physically resisted arrest. At the conclusion of this investigation Mr. Lovins was transported to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Paraphernalia, and Resisting Law Enforcement. He remains in custody with holds from the aforementioned counties.

While transporting Mr. Lovins to the jail multiple reports came in about a disturbance at the residence on 300 South West Mill. During these calls the reporting parties mentioned that there were firearms and that they had been brandished in a menacing manner. Deputy Jennifer Loesch and Sergeant Bruce Vanoven arrived on scene and secured two weapons. During this investigation Ms. Kaylee R. Reedy was taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Jail. Ms. Reedy was trespassed from the initial residence and charged with Criminal Recklessness with a Deadly Weapon. She remains in custody on a $750 bond.

Multiple other officers from the Gibson County Sheriff’s Office, Princeton Police Department, Indiana State Police, and Indiana Department of Natural Resources assisted in this investigation

All Criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

***NO Photo of Lovins at press time.***

19-year-old Kaylee R. Reedy of Terre Haute

ISP Seek Suspect In Olney Homicide

Olney, IL – On September 6, 2020, Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) Zone 8 officials were requested by the Olney Police Department in reference to a homicide investigation at the intersection of North Walnut and East Laurel Street in Olney, Illinois (Richland County). An adult male (Kyle M. Johnson, 19 year old male from Olney, IL) was found with multiple gunshot wounds and transported to an area hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. Zone 8 Agents and ISP Crime Scene responded to the scene and conducted a thorough investigation. Through information gathered during the investigation, a suspect was developed, and an arrest warrant issued for Rick A. Meador (M/W, DOB: 12/26/01).  ISP DCI Zone 8 officials are requesting that anyone with information on the whereabouts of Rick A. Meador notify the ISP. Meador is described as a white male, 5’11” tall, 155lbs, with hazel eyes and brown hair. Meador may be accompanied by a juvenile female.

The Olney Police Department, Richland County Sheriff’s Office, Mt. Vernon Police Department, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department, District 12 Patrol and District 13 Patrol assisted ISP DCI Zone 8 in this on-going investigation.  An autopsy is scheduled for September 8, 2020 at 9:00 a.m.  No additional information is being released at this time. Anyone with information is requested to contact Special Agent Travis Rinehart via email at Travis.Rinehart@illinois.gov or by telephone at (217) 342-7881.

TAYLA LYNN HEADLINES WABASH ROOTS’N’QUE

Tayla Lynn, granddaughter of Loretta Lynn, will headline Wabash Roots’N’Que, the region’s premier American Roots Music Festival scheduled for Saturday, September 19th in Mt. Carmel, Illinois. “We’ve been working throughout the summer to reshape RNQ20, and we believe that with the cooperation of our attendees in proper social distancing and wearing of masks as appropriate, the full day of music and workshops can be safe and enjoyable”, according to Co-Chair Dennis Stroughmatt, who also coordinates the entertainment. “We’ll be creating a very large area in which music lovers can place their lawn chairs or blankets to listen to some amazing American Roots Music at no cost.”

In addition to Ms. Lynn, who presents a “Tribute to Grandmother Loretta Lynn” in Traditional Country Music style from the stage at  the Harris Insurance Pavilion in Merchants Park at 7:45pm, other performers and workshop leaders will fill the stage beginning at 11am. Included in those leading workshops and “Informance” (information and performance) sessions are Rob Krumm, Doug Hawf, Dennis Stroughmatt, the Dulcimer Friends (all instrumental), Steve Destefano (for both the beginner and experienced woodworkers), and The Woolseys (songwriting).

Musical performances are scheduled by the Robert Russell Acoustic Blues Trio w/The Deciders (playing Delta Blues), Alex Hawf bringing Folk and Bluegrass, The Backyard BBQ Band with Rob Krumm offering Western Swing and Roots, and The Woolseys, with their brand of Folk and Bluegrass. Immediately prior to Ms. Lynn will be the Traditional Country sounds of Dennis Stroughmatt and the Honky-Tonk Circus.

Food vendors will be on hand throughout the day. Handwashing stations and restroom facilities will also be provided. Once again, organizers will be encouraging social distancing and the wearing of masks when appropriate. The stage area will be limited to performers, crew and event officials only.

Free Parking (in the area of 4th and Market Street surrounding the event), Free Admission and Free Entertainment. Find us on Facebook for more information about Wabash Roots’N’Que, or call either 618-713-3260 or 618-263-2093.

Flora Woman Killed In Early Morning Crash

ISP TRAFFIC CRASH ALERT   

The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by Illinois State Police

District 12   

WHAT: Two Vehicle Fatal Traffic Crash 

WHERE: Hickory Hill Lane near Lincoln Road, Clay County

WHEN: Sept. 5, 2020 at 1:40 a.m.     

VEHICLE: Unit 1- 2007 Silver Chrysler SUV

  Unit 2- 2019 Bronze Lincoln Navigator 

DRIVER:   Unit 1- 45 year old female from Flora, IL – Deceased (Pending notification of next of kin)

  Unit 2- None   

PRELIMINARY:   A preliminary investigation indicates the following occurred: Unit 1 was travelling west on hickory Hill Lane near Lincoln Road in Clay County. The driver of Unit 1 lost control and ran off the road to the right. Unit 1 traveled through a ditch, a beanfield and across a residential yard before striking Unit 2 which was unoccupied and parked in the driveway of the residence. The driver of Unit 1 was transported to an area hospital by ambulance with life threatening injuries and was later pronounced deceased at the hospital. This crash is still under investigation and no further information is available at this time.

Princeton woman arrested on DUI charge

On September 5, 2020, at 1:14 a.m. Princeton Officer Chelsea Jones and Deputy Garrett Tuley conducted a traffic stop on a Black 2014 Chevy Sonic after it was observed committing a moving violation on Broadway. Upon approaching Officer Jones and Deputy Tuley detected the odor of alcohol coming from the driver 35-year-old Stephanie Dewitt of Princeton, Indiana. At that point Deputy Tuley began a roadside DUI investigation. At the conclusion of his investigation Ms. Dewitt was taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Jail. Upon arriving at the Jail Ms. Dewitt was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated. She remains in custody on a $400 bond.

All Criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Fishers man arrested on DUI charge

On September 5, 2020, at 2:18 a.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a report of a White pickup truck that could not maintain their lane of travel while traveling Northbound on US 41. Deputy Loren Barchett located a White 2014 Dodge Ram on US 41 near County Road 1025 South and upon pulling behind the vehicle he observed the vehicle drive left of center on multiple occasions. Further the vehicle almost struck a guardrail and another vehicle before Deputy Barchett could stop the vehicle. Upon stopping the vehicle and approaching the driver, Deputy Barchett could detect the odor of alcohol coming from the driver 30-year-old William Thompson of Fishers, Indiana. At that point Deputy Barchett began a roadside DUI investigation that resulted in Mr. Thompson being taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Jail. Upon arriving at the Gibson County Jail Mr. Thompson was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated. He remains in custody on a $650 bond.

Assisting Deputy Barchett in his investigation was Deputy U.B. Smith and Princeton Officer Ben Kiesel.

All Criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Pursuit of wrong way driver results in arrest of Leavenworth man

On September 4th, 2020, at approximately 9:26 p.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch put out a Be On the Look Out (aka BOLO) on a vehicle speeding on State Road 64 without their headlights being activated. After receiving several 911 calls Deputy U.B. Smith arrived in the Francisco area and saw the vehicle travel towards him with no headlights on. Deputy Smith turned on the vehicle and attempted to conduct a traffic stop. However, the vehicle which was pulling a small watercraft behind it sped away. While pursuing the vehicle the small watercraft that was tied to the vehicle came off and struck a vehicle. Deputy Smith was able to catch up to the fleeing vehicle and identified the vehicle as a Red 1998 Jeep Cherokee. While pursuing the vehicle Deputy Smith observed the Jeep Cherokee drive in excess of the speed limit and with no regard for other motorists on the roadway. During the pursuit the Red Jeep traveled in the opposite lane of travel for extended periods of time and caused multiple vehicle accidents.

Ultimately the driver of the Red Jeep left the roadway and struck a ditch. While in the ditch the driver of the Jeep refused to obey Deputy Smith’s lawful orders to exit the vehicle and Pepperballs were deployed inside the vehicle. The driver who was identified as 37-year-old Tikelan D. Kilburn of Leavenworth, Indiana, was forcefully removed from the vehicle and taken into custody after a brief struggle. At that point Deputy Smith transported Mr. Kilburn to the Gibson General Emergency Room where he finished his investigation. At the conclusion of his investigation Deputy Smith transported Mr. Kilburn to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with:

-Criminal Recklessness With a Vehicle
-Battery Resulting in Bodily Injury
-Criminal Mischief
-Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated
-Resisting Arrest With a Vehicle With Injury
-Resisting Law Enforcement
-Failure to Stop After and Accident
-Reckless Driving
-Aggressive Driving

Mr. Kilburn remains in custody on a $750 bond. Bond amounts are a set scale set by the Gibson County Judicial System and can be revisited by the Prosecutor’s office on a case by case basis.

Assisting Deputy Smith in his investigation was Deputies Zach Lienemann and Bryce Jutzi. Also assisting were Captains Bryan Ellis and Deborah Borchelt of the Gibson County Sheriff’s Office.

All Criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond
a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

WCSO Arrests 2, Seeks A 3rd

On Thursday, the Wabash County Sheriff's Office in conjunction with the Mt. Carmel Police Department acted on a tip from the Indiana State Police. 

That tip resulted in the arrest of a man and woman that were wanted out of Pike Co. Indiana. 61 year old Brian K. Ellis was taken into custody along with 32 year old Danielle J. Bailey following a traffic stop. Ellis was wanted on an active warrant for Burglary with Bailey being wanted for Battery with Strangulation. Both were taken to the Wabash County Jail awaiting extradition back to Pike County. 

A third subject is also suspected to be in the area with the pair whom is wanted as well. 62 year old Lyndon Abran is being sought for a probation violation for dealing in methamphetamine out of Pike County as well. If you have any information on the whereabouts of Abran please contact the Wabash County Sheriff's Office or Crimestoppers at 262-HALT. 

62 year old Lyndon Abran

61 year old Brian K. Ellis

Oakland City Man Sentenced To Prison After FBI Proves He Isn't Blind

A man from Oakland City, Indiana, will be spending time in federal prison for a fraud scheme.

Joshua Eaden was the former manager of Best-One Tire & Service of Princeton. His business provided parts, supplies and services to Gibson County Coal. Between 2013 and 2016, Eaden was involved in a scheme to defraud Gibson County Coal by submitting over 300 false foam tire fill invoices. Gibson County Coal would then make those payments to Best-One Tire & Services. In total, Eaden received $189,000 from the scam.

In 2019, Eaden was found guilty of 17 counts of wire and mail fraud. However, he tried to convince the judge that he suffered an eye injury and was blind. His sentencing hearing was delayed, as the FBI investigated his claim that he was blind. Investigators found video recordings and photographs that showed Eaden playing golf and driving a golf cart numerous times in 2020, including days right before he appeared in court.

Eaden was sentenced Wednesday to nearly four years in prison, and must pay $244,683 in restitution.

Gibson County Officers investigate string of vehicle break-ins

From Gibson County Sheriff’s Department:

Officers have been getting several calls about vehicles being rummaged through. Sometimes, nothing was taken but things had been gone through.

Right now, we've had several calls in the Fort Branch area, but that could change at any time.

As always, remove valuables (or at the very least move them out of sight) and LOCK your vehicle. Even if you feel you're in a safe neighborhood, you could be a victim of any crime. You can never be too careful.
If you see something suspicious, call central dispatch at (812) 385-3496 option 1, or 911 if needed.