A request from a Market Street business owner to have a beer garden at two upcoming events was approved by the city council this week. Vic Singh requested the beer gardens for September 11th for a car show and concert at Merchant Park and the following weekend on September 18th for a Shriner’s Hospital fundraiser.
New FBI Undercover Operation Snares Six
FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS, Ill. – Six more men from Missouri and Illinois are facing federal charges for attempting to engage in sexual activity with minors.
Eric E. Hamilton, II, 22, of Maryland Heights, Missouri, is charged with attempted enticement of a minor and traveling across state lines with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct.
Godfrey C. Hubbard, 52, of Sorento, Illinois, is charged with attempted enticement of a minor.
Justin Schneider, 33, of Edwardsville, Illinois, is charged with attempted enticement of a minor.
Christopher M. Simmons, 30, of St. Louis, Missouri, is charged with attempted commercial sex trafficking of a child, attempted enticement of a minor, and traveling across state lines with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct.
Michael James Smith, 39, of Barnhart, Missouri, is charged with attempted enticement of a minor.
James Tiroch, 37, of Florissant, Missouri, is charged with attempted enticement of a minor.
The cases are the result of an FBI-led operation involving multiple federal and state law enforcement agencies aimed at rooting out internet users attempting to meet children for sex. All six men have been charged by federal complaint. The crimes allegedly occurred in the Southern District of Illinois. U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft and FBI-Springfield Special Agent in Charge Sean M. Cox made the announcement.
“Children are vulnerable to sexual exploitation across the internet,” said U.S. Attorney Weinhoeft. “That’s why we are continually updating our investigative techniques and casting a wide net over a variety of online applications and other internet platforms where children are at risk. To anyone who would prey on our kids, know this: law enforcement is watching, and you will be caught.”
“The FBI works tirelessly in collaboration with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to shut down child predators in hopes of preventing what could be a lifetime of trauma for victims,” said SAC Cox. “Children tend to be trusting online and will befriend strangers of any age or gender. Offenders take advantage of this naivety and target children who openly engage others online or who have a strong social networking presence. Parents and guardians are the first line of defense in preventing access to their children. Talk to your children, know what they’re doing online, and if you suspect suspicious activity, don’t hesitate to report it to the FBI.”
All six defendants are accused of using the internet to entice someone under 17 years old to engage in unlawful sexual activity and traveling to a specific location to engage in sexual acts with a minor. Some of the defendants allegedly traveled across state lines and/or offered to pay for sex, leading to additional charges. Several of them allegedly had items with them when they were arrested, including alcohol, sex toys, condoms, and candy. No actual minors were harmed during the two-day operation.
If convicted, the defendants each face at least 10 years in prison and could receive as much as life behind bars. Traveling across state lines to have sex with a minor is punishable by up to 30 years in prison. All of the offenses also carry a possible lifetime term of supervised release and fines of up to $250,000.
Pending trial, all six defendants will be held without bond or released on electronic monitoring and other strict conditions, as required by federal law for these offenses.
A complaint is merely a charge against a defendant. Under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of the charge until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt to the satisfaction of a jury.
These cases fall under the umbrella of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”
The investigation was led by FBI-Springfield, with assistance from FBI-St. Louis, U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations, the Collinsville Police Department, the Edwardsville Police Department, the Illinois State Police, the Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville Police Department, the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office, the Madison County States Attorney’s Office, the Alton Police Department, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, the Macoupin County Sheriff’s Office, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, and the Carlyle Police Department.
The cases will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Karelia Rajagopal and Ali Burns
Indianapolis man arrested for driving while suspended
On June 30, 2021, at 12:38 a.m. Gibson County Sgt. John Fischer conducted a traffic stop on a Silver 2014 Chevy Impala for a left lane violation on US 41 near State Road 68. Upon approaching the vehicle Sgt. Fischer identified the driver as 23-year-old Taylor Gilbert of Indianapolis. Upon running Mr. Gilbert’s Indiana Identification Card through the Bureau of Motor Vehicles Sgt. Fischer found that Mr. Gilbert’s license had been suspended on a prior driving while suspended charge. At that point Sgt. Fischer placed Mr. Gilbert into custody and transported him to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Driving While Suspended/Prior. He has since posted a $650 bond.
All Criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Hazleton man arrested on DUI charge
On June 29, 2021, at 9:06 p.m. Gibson County Deputy Zach Lienemann conducted a traffic stop on a White 1981 Chevy S10 on US 41 near County Road 800 South for making unsafe lane movements. Upon approaching the vehicle Deputy Lienemann identified the driver as 28-year-old David Marts of Hazleton. While speaking with Mr. Marts Deputy Lienemann detected clues that Mr. Marts might be under the influence of an unknown intoxicant. At that point he began a roadside DUI investigation. Once Deputy Lienemann was finished with his roadside investigation he placed Mr. Marts into custody and transported him to the Gibson County Jail. Upon arriving at the Gibson County Jail Mr. Marts was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated and Resisting Law Enforcement. He remains in custody on a $650 bond.
Assisting Deputy Lienemann in his investigation were officers from the Fort Branch, Haubstadt, and Princeton Police Department. Also assisting were officers from the Indiana State Police and 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.
Illinois man arrested on DUI and Reckless Driving charges
On June 28, 2021, at 3:15 a.m. Gibson County Deputy Loren Barchett observed a vehicle traveling 147 mph in a 60 mph zone on US 41 near County Road 900 South. Deputy Barchett pulled in behind the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop on County Road 800 South near County Road 200 East. Upon approaching the Green 2017 Chevy Camaro Deputy Barchett identified the driver as 21-year-old Jerry Gower of West Union, Illinois. While speaking with Mr. Gower Deputy Barchett detected the odor of alcohol coming from the driver and began a roadside DUI investigation. At the conclusion of his investigation, he placed Mr. Gower into custody and transported him to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated and Reckless Driving. He remains in custody without a bond.
Assisting Deputy Barchett in his investigation was Sgt. John Fischer.
All Criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Arkansas Trucker Killed In I-57 Crash
ILLINOIS STATE POLICE TRAFFIC CRASH ALERT
The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by
Illinois State Police District 12
WHAT: Single Vehicle Fatal Traffic Crash
WHERE: Interstate 57 northbound at milepost 111, Marion County
WHEN: July 1, 2021 at approximately 1:30 a.m.
VEHICLE: Unit 1- 2019 Peterbilt Truck Tractor Semi-Trailer
DRIVER: Unit 1- 59-year-old male from Sherwood, AR – Deceased (pending next of kin notification)
PRELIMINARY: A preliminary investigation indicates the following occurred: Unit 1 was traveling northbound on Interstate 57 at milepost 111 in Marion County. For unknown reasons Unit 1 entered the center median approximately 300 feet north of mile marker 111. Unit 1 skidded southbound through the grass covered median and then struck a bridge column that supports the overpass of Levee Road (County Road 500 N.).
Ontario truck driver arrested on drug charges
On June 30, 2021, at 12:15 p.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a report of a semi-tractor and trailer that unable to maintain its lane of travel on US 41 while it was traveling southbound from Princeton. Deputy Jennifer Loesch observed the vehicle on US 41 near County Road 100 West and attempted to conduct a traffic stop. However, the driver and the vehicle continued southbound refusing to stop. Deputy Loesch was able to stop the vehicle with assistance from Deputy U.B. Smith at County Road 550 South. Upon speaking with the driver 35-year-old Sandeep Singh of Brampton, Ontario Deputy Loesch began a roadside investigation. During the investigation drug paraphernalia and a controlled substance were found inside the vehicle. At the conclusion of the investigation Deputy Loesch placed Mr. Singh into custody and transported him to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Resisting Law Enforcement-Fleeing, Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He has since posted a $1500 bond.
All Criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Boonville man arrested on public intox charge
On July 2, 2021, at 8:12 p.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a report of a Polaris side by side driving at unsafe speeds around the New Lake Campground near Oakland City, Indiana. The caller gave a detailed description of the vehicle to dispatch and when Deputy Bryce Jutzi arrived on scene, he located the vehicle he began an investigation into the incident. Upon speaking with 41-year-old Jacob Horn of Boonville, who was in possession of the vehicle Deputy Jutzi attempted to investigate the complaint. While speaking with Deputy Jutzi Mr. Horn became verbally aggressive and would not cooperate in the investigation. At one point Mr. Horn began to physically resist Deputy Jutzi as he attempted to stop Mr. Horn from leaving the scene. Deputy Jutzi placed Mr. Horn into custody with the assistance of Oakland City Officer John Pace and Mr. Horn was transported to the Gibson County Jail. Upon arriving at the jail Mr. Horn was charged with Resisting Law Enforcement and Public Intoxication. He has since posted a $650 bond.
All Criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
MCPD Issues 4th Of July Safety Tips
The Mt. Carmel Police Department would like to remind residents who choose to use fireworks over the 4th of July weekend to cease the activity by 10 pm. Repeated complaints could result in enforcement action by MCPD. Additionally, a few safety tips to follow include:
Never allow young children to handle fireworks.
Older children should use them only under close adult supervision
Never use fireworks while impaired by drugs or alcohol
Anyone using fireworks or standing nearby should wear protective eyewear
Never hold lighted fireworks in your hands
Never light them indoors
Only use them away from people, houses, and flammable material
Never point or throw fireworks at another person
Never use illegal fireworks
Finally, MCPD wants everyone to have a safe and enjoyable 4th of July. Additional officers will be out on the 4th to help ensure this happens.
Lane Restrictions Scheduled for SR 65 Between Owensville and Princeton
GIBSON COUNTY, Ind. – The Indiana Department of Transportation announces lane restrictions for a bridge project between Princeton and Owensville.
Beginning on or around Tuesday, July 6, contractors will close the southbound lane of S.R. 65 about a mile and a half south of S.R. 64 to perform rehabilitation work on the structures spanning Indian Camp Creek and Skelton Creek. Work at this location includes patching and pavement replacement.
During the project, one 12-foot lane will remain open at all times controlled by temporary signal. Loads wider than 12-feet should seek an alternate route using the nearest numbered state, U.S. or interstate routes. Once work is complete in the southbound lane, work will switch over to the northbound lane.
Depending upon weather conditions, the project is expected to last until mid-August. INDOT urges drivers to slow down and stay alert near crews.