Storckman Continues Drive To Protect Wabash County Children

With this week’s conviction of Chad Covalt on child porn charges, Wabash County State’s Attorney Kelli Storckman is now three for three when taking child predators to trial and getting a conviction.

In December, Jeffrey Isham was found guilty of predatory criminal sexual assault and last month, a jury convicted Glen Howder of child porn and aggravated criminal sexual abuse charges.

Storckman said she was pleased with this week’s verdict as it continues her battle to protect young people in Wabash County… 

Storckman said she hopes her work and recent convictions give victims encouragement to come forward if they’ve been harmed… 

Howder will be sentenced on April 25th while sentencing for Covalt will be May 23rd. Previously, Isham was sentenced to 45 years in prison for sexually assaulting a family member. 

Wabash County State’s Attorney Kelli Storckman (WSJD File Photo)

Edwards County 4-H Green Community Tree Planting Event

Youth and volunteers are ready to plant a grouping of 25 oak trees at the K-12 School, location in Albion with the goal of tackling global issues at the local level.

Illinois once held 14 million acres of trees, but that number has dropped to 5 million due to modern development practices, Illinois 4-H is helping to turn the tide. More trees will move us closer to cleaner water, healthier soils, more animals and birds, greater biological diversity, and cleaner air. All of these are critical to people’s health and quality of life. These 25 tree savannas will help rebuild our native ecosystems, ¾ of an acre at a time.

Edwards County 4-H was one of 31 counties selected to receive the oak trees to plant on public properties in the county. The groups called savannas, will bring new life to oak-hickory forests currently under threat in Illinois.

This program is in collaboration with Illinois Soil and Water Conservation Districts across the state. Edwards County Soil and Water is working with the 4-H program in Edwards County to complete this project.

The 4-H Green Communities Tree Program follows the “learn-by-doing” philosophy of 4-H and is guided by the priorities of the Illinois Forest Action Plan.

Planting of the oak trees will begin at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, April 15.

Knox County Home Improvement Contractor Arrested for Theft

Knox County – Indiana State Police initiated a criminal investigation in March after receiving a complaint from a Vincennes homeowner that a home improvement contractor had failed to make repairs after being paid over $19,000. 

During the investigation, it was revealed the victim had signed a home improvement agreement with Superior Home Improvements that is owned and operated by Jesse Pace, 48, of Bicknell. The victim reportedly gave Pace $10,000 in December 2021 to start the home improvement projects. Pace started to make some repairs two days later but hasn’t been back since December 2021. In January 2022, the victim gave Pace over $9,000 for additional material for the projects. The victim contacted Indiana State Police after Pace failed to make the repairs.

After reviewing the investigation, the Knox County Prosecutor’s Office issued a felony arrest warrant for Pace.  Tuesday morning, April 12, at approximately 9:12 a.m., Indiana State Police and Knox County Sheriff’s Office executed the warrant at Pace’s residence located at 1024 West 4th Street, Apartment A, in Bicknell. Pace was arrested without incident and taken to the Knox County Jail where he later posted bond and was released.

Arrested and Charge:

• Jesse Pace, 48, Bicknell, IN

1. Theft, Level 6 Felony

Investigating Officer: Detective Nick Hatfield, Indiana State Police

Pair Arrested For Allegedly Stealing Copper Wire From Coal Mine

On 04.11.22 the Wabash County Sheriff's Office observed an unauthorized vehicle on the Peabody Energy property (former Amax Coal Mine) at approximately 7:24 a.m.

This area has been under close surveillance for months due to the theft and criminal damage to property involving copper wire.  

Deputies then waited for the vehicle to exit the property and attempted to perform a traffic stop on the blue Chevy with Indiana registration.  

The vehicle failed to stop for deputies and continued into Keensburg where it stopped at 6257 1st in Keensburg. The driver fled inside the residence while the passenger was apprehended. After a brief standoff the driver exited the residence.

The driver, Daniel B. Robbins 43 of Keensburg, and Michael A. Dorris, 30 of Evansville, IN were taken into custody and charged with Theft over $500 and trespass to real property. Dorris received an additional charge of obstruction of justice. Both are being held in the Wabash County Jail awaiting the setting of bond.  

Daniel B. Robbins 43 of Keensburg,

Michael A. Dorris, 30 of Evansville, IN

Covalt Guilty On 29 Child Porn Charges

33 year old Chad Covalt of Mt. Carmel has been found guilty on 29 child pornography charges in Wabash County Circuit Court.

During a one day bench trial today, Judge William C. Hudson determined Covalt had committed the Class X felonies last May.

The trial began today with state’s attorney Kelli Storckman calling the victim, her friend, and Covalt’s ex wife who found the child porn images and videos on Covalt’s cell phone and turned them over to authorities last year.

Also testifying today was Mt. Carmel Police Department detective Eddie Johnson who interviewed Covalt prior to his arrest.

Covalt’s attorney, Daniel Shinkle, chose not to call any witnesses or offer any evidence. Covalt declined taking the stand in his own defense.

After recessing at 11am, Hudson returned the guilty verdict at about 2:15pm.

Covalt will be sentenced May 23rd and faces a possible prison sentence of 6 to 30 years in prison on each of the 29 counts. Hudson remanded Covalt back to the Wabash County Jail to await sentencing.

Chad Covalt is escorted back to the Wabash County Jail after being found guilty on 29 child porn charges.

Chad Covalt is escorted back to the Wabash County Jail after being found guilty on 29 child porn charges.

Chad Covalt is escorted back to the Wabash County Jail after being found guilty on 29 child porn charges.

Two Washington Men Arrested for Possession of Meth, Controlled Substances and Syringe

Pike County – Monday morning, April 11, at approximately 2:10 a.m., Trooper Angermeier stopped the driver of a 2001 Dodge pickup truck for driving 97 mph on I-69 near the 45 mile-marker.  The driver was identified as Wesley Detalente, 41, and his passenger was identified as Joshua Jackson, 39, both from Washington. A wanted check revealed Detalente had active warrants out of Vanderburgh County for probation violation and for possession of a syringe and drug paraphernalia. During a search of the vehicle, officers found a glass smoking device with burnt white residue in the center console. The residue later tested positive for methamphetamine. Officers also noticed the shifter knob was aftermarket and had a hidden compartment that contained a small amount of suspected methamphetamine. During a further search, officers located a container that was zip tied to the frame of the truck. When officers opened the container, they discovered one used syringe, a smoking device with burnt residue, package of 10 syringes, a baggie containing 11 Dilaudid pills, and a digital scale. Detalente and Jackson were arrested and taken to the Pike County Jail where they are currently being held on bond.

Arrested and Charges:

• Wesley Detalente, 41, Washington, IN

• Joshua Jackson, 39, Washington, IN

1. Possession of Meth, Level 6 Felony

2. Possession of a Syringe, Level 6 Felony

3. Possession of a Controlled Substance, Class A Misdemeanor

4. Possession of Paraphernalia, Class C Misdemeanor

Arresting Officer: Trooper Brayden Angermeier, Indiana State Police

Assisting Agencies: Pike County Sheriff’s Office and Petersburg Police

Wesley Detalente     

Joshua Jackson

WGH Recognized as Best Place to Work in Illinois for Third Straight Year

Wabash General Hospital (WGH) was recently named as one of the 2022 Best Places to Work in Illinois. The awards program began in 2006 and is promoted by The Daily Herald Suburban Business.

WGH President & CEO, Karissa Turner, stated, “Our “People you know, helping people you love” motto is a complete representation of who we are at Wabash General Hospital. Receiving this award for the past three years signifies the importance of our staff working together to make Wabash General Hospital a great place to work and the best place to seek medical care. All 460 staff members should be proud of their accomplishments. When teams support and uplift each other it attracts people who want to play a role on our team. We have been experiencing great things happening for many years and I’m proud to say the tradition continues.”

This statewide survey and awards program was designed to identify, recognize and honor the best places of employment in Illinois, benefiting the state's economy, workforce and businesses. The 2022 Best Places to Work in Illinois list is made up of ## companies in the small employer category (15-99 U.S. employees), ## companies in the medium employer category (100-499 U.S. employees), and ## companies in the large employer category (500 or more U.S. employees). (Name of Company) has been named one of the Best Places to Work in Illinois in the (small/medium/large) category.

To be considered for participation, companies had to fulfill the following eligibility requirements:

- Have at least 15 employees working in Illinois;

- Be a for-profit or not-for-profit business or government entity;

- Be a publicly or privately held business;

- Have a facility in the state of Illinois; and

- Be in business a minimum of one year.

Companies from across the state entered the two-part process to determine the Best Places to Work in Illinois. The first part consisted of evaluating each nominated company's workplace policies, practices, and demographics. This part of the process was worth approximately 25% of the total evaluation. The second part consisted of an employee survey to measure the employee experience. This part of the process was worth approximately 75% of the total evaluation. The combined scores determined the top companies and the final ranking. Best Companies Group managed the overall registration and survey process in Illinois and analyzed the data and used their expertise to determine the final rankings.

Wabash General Hospital will be recognized and honored at the Best Places to Work in Illinois awards in-person luncheon, coordinated by The Daily Herald Suburban Business on Wednesday, May 11. The final rankings will be announced at the event, posted on the Daily Herald Suburban Business website (dailyherald.com/business), and published in a special commemorative section on June 26. An unranked list of all honorees will be announced in the April 10 issue of the Daily Herald Suburban Business.

For more information on the Best Places to Work in Illinois program, visit www.BestPlacestoWorkinIL.com.

Vincennes Man Arrested for Reckless Driving after Driving 116 mph on US 50

Vincennes Man Arrested for Reckless Driving after Driving 116 mph on US 50

Knox County – Monday morning, April 11, at approximately 6:53 a.m., Sergeant Bill Gadberry was patrolling US 50 near Monty Road when he observed a 2011 Mercedes Benz traveling east at a high rate of speed. Sergeant Gadberry utilized his radar and clocked the vehicle at 111 mph. The vehicle was clocked a second time at 116 mph near Robinson Road. The vehicle was stopped on US 50 at Robinson Road and the driver was identified as Brandon Scott-George Hall, 33, of Vincennes.  Between the time of the initial clock and the traffic stop, Hall passed two other vehicles and drove through six intersections. Hall was arrested for Reckless Driving, a Class C Misdemeanor, and taken to the Knox County Jail where he later posted bond and was released.  

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

Covalt Trial Set To Start Monday

The bench trial of 33-year-old Chad Covalt gets underway Monday in Wabash County Circuit Court. The Mt. Carmel man is charged with faces three charges of predatory criminal sexual assault and four counts of possession of child pornography.

Late last month, Covalt opted out of a jury trial and instead have Judge William C. Hudson decide his fate in Wabash County Circuit Court.

Covalt has pled not guilty to allegedly committing predatory criminal sexual assault of a child in connection to incidents between January of 2017 and May of 2021 with a girl under the age of 13. The four child pornography charges allege Covalt filmed and/or photographed the unclothed young girl between January of 2017 and January of 2020. All 7 counts are Class X felonies.

A Class X felony in Illinois carries a possible prison sentence of 6 to 30 years on each count. Covalt remains in the Wabash County Jail on a half million-dollar bond.

The bench trial is set for April 11th. Circuit Clerk Angie Crum said prospective jurors called for jury duty Monday do not need to appear.   

Evansville Man Arrested after Overnight Chase in Mt. Vernon

Posey County – Friday night, April 8, at approximately 11:22 p.m., Trooper Fulton was patrolling on 4th Street near Barbee Street in Mt. Vernon when he spotted a tan 2003 Ford Explorer that had been reported stolen.  Trooper Fulton activated his emergency lights and attempted to stop the vehicle as the driver was pulling into Casey’s gas station. The driver continued traveling across the parking lot then circled back around and accelerated westbound on 4th Street at a high rate of speed. The driver of the Ford Explorer turned south onto Sawmill Street and disregarded three stop signs before turning east onto Sycamore Street then south onto Elm Street which came to a dead end. The driver exited the vehicle and ran south down a rocky embankment into the flooded river bottoms. Trooper Fulton chased the driver approximately 150 yards before losing sight of him as he ran down into a large creek. As Trooper Fulton was approaching the creek, he observed the driver lying on the north side of the creek bed and was taken into custody without further incident. The driver was identified as Chadrick Royal, 50, of Evansville. Royal displayed signs of impairment and failed field sobriety tests but refused to submit to a chemical test. Royal was taken to the Posey County Jail where he is currently being held on bond.

Arrested and Charges:

• Chadrick Royal, 50, Evansville, IN

1. Resisting Law Enforcement with a Vehicle, Level 6 Felony

2. Auto Theft, Level 6 Felony

3. Operating a Vehicle while Intoxicated - Refusal, Class A Misdemeanor

4. Reckless Driving, Class B Misdemeanor

5. Felony Warrants out of Knox and Daviess County

Arresting Officer: Trooper Zack Fulton, Indiana State Police

Assisting Officers: Trooper Vennekotter and Trooper Otolski, Indiana State Police

Assisting Agency: Mt. Vernon Police

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