Newburgh Man Arrested after Traffic Stop for Dealing Methamphetamine

Warrick County – Thursday night, January 27, at approximately 11:45, Troopers Kyle Otolski and Aaron Hadley were patrolling SR 261 near Oak Grove Road when they spotted a vehicle with a defective taillight. Troopers continued to follow the vehicle east on Oak Grove Road when they observed the vehicle drift left of center. A traffic stop was conducted on Oak Grove Road near Briarcliff Drive. The driver was identified as Audrey-Jestina Beverly, 23, of Evansville. A front seat male passenger did not have identification but provided troopers with a name and date of birth. Further investigation revealed Beverly was his girlfriend. Beverly allegedly confirmed her boyfriend’s identity. A rear seat male passenger identified himself but soon started having a seizure. He was treated and later transported to Deaconess Gateway Hospital. Troopers later determined the rear passenger gave them false information concerning his identity. He was later identified as Thomas Holland, 20, of Evansville. A misdemeanor arrest warrant out of Vanderburgh County was active for Holland’s arrest.

When the front seat passenger was removed from the vehicle, officers located an Indiana ID card that identified the front seat passenger as Alexander Burton, 30, of Newburgh. Burton had given troopers a different name and his identity was confirmed by Beverly. When officers searched Burton, they located a digital scale on his person. Officers also located a cylindrical container near the front passenger seat that contained four individually wrapped clear plastic baggies containing a total weight of approximately 14.6 grams of suspected methamphetamine. A wanted check revealed Burton had an active felony arrest warrant out of Vanderburgh County for failure to appear. A further search of the vehicle discovered a backpack containing ten syringes, long plastic tubing and a digital scale.  Troopers were able to determine the suspected meth and syringes belonged to Burton. Burton and Beverly were arrested and taken to the Warrick County Jail where they are currently being held on bond. Holland was summoned to appear in Warrick Superior Court for False Informing, a Class A Misdemeanor, and Refusal to Identify, a Class C Misdemeanor.

Arrested and Charges:

• Alexander Burton, 30, Newburgh, IN

1. Dealing Methamphetamine, Level 2 Felony

2. Possession of Methamphetamine, Level 3 Felony

3. Possession of Hypodermic Syringe, Level 6 Felony

4. False Reporting, Class A Misdemeanor

5. Warrant for Failure to Appear (Vanderburgh County)

• Audrey-Jestina Beverly, 23, Evansville, IN

1. False Reporting, Class A Misdemeanor

Arresting Officers: Trooper Kyle Otolski and Trooper Aaron Hadley, Indiana State Police

Assisting Agency: Warrick County Sheriff’s Office

Mt. Carmel Woman Arrested On Retail Theft Charge

On 1/25/22, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Emily J. Lofton, age 34, of Mt. Carmel, for Retail Theft following a complaint at Rural King.  While there, the officer observed video surveillance footage indicating Lofton concealed a pair of Carhartt blue jeans, a Carhartt jacket, and three pairs of socks before leaving the store.  The arresting officer later located Lofton, who admitted the theft and returned the property.  Lofton was charged with Retail Theft and released with a court date.  

West Salem Man Picked Up By MCPD On Various Charges

On 1/27/22, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Gilbert A. Cowles, age 61, of West Salem, Illinois, for Possession of Methamphetamine, Driving While License Suspended, and a Richland County Illinois warrant for Failure to Appear.  MCPD received notification from Edwards County authorities regarding Cowles operating a vehicle headed towards Mt. Carmel with a suspended license and a valid warrant.  The arresting officer located Cowles and conducted a traffic stop at 10th & Chestnut Street.  Cowles was taken into custody on the warrant, at which time the officer located a folded up $1 bill that contained suspected methamphetamine inside of it.  Cowles was taken to the Wabash County Jail, where he was issued the warrant and the above charges before being turned over to jail staff.

At Home Tests Making It Harder For Accurate COVID Numbers

While the Wabash County Health Department reported 335 new COVID cases locally in the last week, that number is probably even higher. That’s because the 335 cases do not include at home tests in which those testing positive are not required to report as a positive result. Wabash General Hospital President/CEO Karissa Turner addressed the issue at this week’s board of directors meeting…

There have been 7 COVID positive patients hospitalized in the last week.

As another surge in COVID seems to be lessening the IDPH says a time is coming when the public health reaction will change. Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike notes the downward trend in cases is great but other metrics will become more important when looking at the impact of the virus.

Hospitalizations are down about a 1000 from the recent peak. But they are still higher than they were in the winter of 2021.

ISP Plans NITE Patrol In Wabash/Edwards Counties Next Month

Illinois State Police (ISP) District 19 Commander, Captain Nathan Douglas, announces the ISP will conduct a Nighttime Enforcement (NITE) Patrol in Wabash and Edwards Counties during February. NITE patrols allow the ISP to focus on preventing, detecting, and taking enforcement action in response to impaired driving and occupant restraint violations especially between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.

The number of unrestrained drivers killed in traffic crashes is significantly higher at nighttime and combined with impaired driving means even more traffic deaths during these critical hours. Officers will strictly enforce violations including:

- Driving Under the Influence (DUI);

- Safety Belt and Child Restraint use;

- Speeding; - Distracted Driving;

and,

- All Illinois Vehicle Code and Criminal Violations.

Alcohol and drug impairment is a factor in more than 30 percent of all fatal motor vehicle crashes in Illinois. Over half of all fatal crashes in Illinois occur at night. The NITE program allows officers to work even harder at removing dangerous impaired drivers from the road and making sure everyone is buckled up. This project is funded through the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Mt. Carmel Man Arrested On Aggravated Battery To Peace Officer Charge

On 1/26/22, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Clayton S. Kirkman, age 36, of Mt. Carmel, on a Wabash County Warrant for Aggravated Battery to a Peace Officer. Kirkman was located at his residence in the 1000 block of N Cherry Street. Kirkman was transported to the Wabash County Jail where he was issued the warrant and is being held on a $2500 cash bond.

McGinnis Sibling Spelling Bee Battle Goes 28 Rounds

Allendale School held its annual Spelling Bee on Wednesday, January 26th. Ashleigh McGinnis, after 28 rounds, defeated Conner McGinnis by spelling the word ‘granules’ correctly. Outstanding job by all who competed, but congratulations to Ashleigh who will represent AJHS in the next round of the Spelling Bee competition on zoom. Thank you to Allendale First National Bank for providing the $25 Life Saver CD to the winner of the competition.

Spelling Bee Champ Ashleigh McGinnis with teacher/sponsor is Elizabeth Perry.

Spelling Bee runner-up Conner McGinnis with Elizabeth Perry.

City Battles Major Issue With Water Meters

A major failure in one of the components on Mt. Carmel’s water meters has sent city workers scrambling. At Monday’s City Council meeting, water commissioner Justin Dulgar said the malfunction affected 1,500 of the city’s 3,100 water meters.

Mayor Joe Judge said the malfunction does not impact the accuracy of your water bill…

Dulgar said the issue will cause many customers’ bills to reflect a shorter billing cycle than normal. Once crews catch up, he said the subsequent billing cycle will be a little longer. Dulgar said previous estimates on totally automating the water reading operation was $1.3 million.

ILLINOIS STATE POLICE CONFIRMS IDENTITY OF DECEASED

Chicago, IL – On Jan. 24, 2022, at approximately 1:25 p.m., off-duty Trooper Antonio Alvarez #6747 and Amanda Alvarez, a 31-year old female of Chicago, IL were found inside of a non-department issued vehicle in the 11000 block of South Avenue East, Chicago, IL with injuries from gunfire. Trooper Alvarez and the female were both pronounced deceased at the scene.

Trooper Alvarez was 30 years old and a three-year veteran of the Illinois State Police. Chicago Police Department (CPD) is handling the death investigation and any additional information will be released by CPD.

East St. Louis Man Sentenced for Distribution of Controlled Substances and Illegal Possession of a Firearm by a Felon

East St. Louis, Ill. – Anthony Wisham, 60, of East St. Louis, Illinois, was sentenced to 135 months imprisonment in federal court in East St. Louis, Illinois, on Tuesday, January 25, 2022. Wisham previously pled guilty to two counts of distribution of fentanyl, one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and one count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Wisham admitted to distributing ounce quantities of fentanyl on September 15, 2020, in East St. Louis, Illinois. On December 10, 2020, Wisham admitted he possessed, with the intent to distribute, approximately 21.3 grams of cocaine while possessing a firearm. Wisham is a convicted felon and prohibited from carrying a firearm.

The investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel T. Kapsak.