Jury Finds Vaira Guilty On All Counts

It took a Wabash County jury less than two and a half hours today to find 53 year old Adam Veira guilty of six sex crimes against family members. The jury of 7 men and 5 women found the Allendale man guilty of two Class X felonies of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child and four Class 2 felony charges of aggravated criminal sexual abuse from incidents that occurred between May 1st 2000 and December 10th, 2002.

The charges were filed last year by State’s Attorney Kelli Storckman after Veira’s ex-wife contacted Mt. Carmel Police who turned the investigation over the Illinois State Police.

Since the Class X felonies do not offer the possibility of probation, Veira will find out how much time he’ll spend in prison at his sentencing on September 22nd. After the guilty verdict, Judge Michael Valentine revoked Veira’s $30,000 cash bond and remanded him to the Wabash County Jail to await sentencing. Each Class X felony carries a sentence of 6 to 30 years in prison while the Class 2 felony has a possible 3 to 7 years on each count.

The jury returned the verdict at 1:30 this afternoon after beginning deliberations at 11am. The verdict wraps up a weeklong trial that included two days of jury selection on Monday and Tuesday.

The guilty verdict is yet another conviction for Storckman who has successfully prosecuted a variety of sex offenders over the last year.

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Earlier story:

A Wabash County jury of 7 men and 5 women is currently deciding the fate of 53 year old Adam Vaira of Allendale. Closing arguments in Vaira’s sexual assault trial were delivered this morning by state’s attorney Kelli Storckman and defense attorney Melissa Doran. Storckman laid out the six charges against Vaira that include two Class X felony counts of predatory criminal sexual assault and four Class 2 felony charges of aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a family member and the testimony presented at this week’s trial that proved Vaira’s guilt. Doran told jurors that without any physical evidence, the case boils down to he said, she said and which version of the testimony do they believe. She said the alleged victims’ stories were factually implausible and shouldn’t result in a guilty verdict for Vaira.

The jury began deliberations on the six counts at 11am today.

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Jury Deliberations Underway In Vaira Trial

A Wabash County jury of 7 men and 5 women is currently deciding the fate of 53 year old Adam Vaira of Allendale.

Closing arguments in Vaira’s sexual assault trial were delivered this morning by state’s attorney Kelli Storckman and defense attorney Melissa Doran.

Storckman laid out the six charges against Vaira that include two Class X felony counts of predatory criminal sexual assault and four Class 2 felony charges of aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a family member and the testimony presented at this week’s trial that proved Vaira’s guilt.

Doran told jurors that without any physical evidence, the case boils down to “he said, she said” and which version of the testimony do they believe. She said the alleged victims’ stories were “factually implausible” and shouldn’t result in a guilty verdict for Vaira.

The jury began deliberations on the six counts at 11am today.

MCPD & Mayor Address Cherry Hill Golf Cart/UTV Situation

The Mt. Carmel Police Department is warning UTV and golf cart drivers, stay off of private property if you’re trying to cut between Cherry Hills and Ladue Drive. Police have received several complaints from residents on Ladue Drive of golf carts and UTV’s cutting across private property. Mayor Joe Judge said those in Cherry Hills looking to use their golf carts and UTV’s were told from the beginning they were landlocked from the ordinance legalizing them….

Residents in both Cherry Hills and Ladue Drive have complained of their yards being rutted from the golf carts and UTV’s cutting across their private property without permission.

Evansville Father Arrested for Driving While Impaired after Crashing on I-64

Warrick: At approximately 1:00 this morning, Indiana State Police responded to a report of subjects walking along I-64 near the 37 mile-marker. When troopers arrived, they located two adults and three children at the 36.5 mile-marker.  The adult male was identified as William Burdette, 27, of Evansville. Further investigation revealed Burdette was driving a 1997 Ford Explorer westbound on I-64 near the 36 mile-marker when the vehicle left the roadway on the north side, rolled several times, and came to a final rest down an embankment. Burdette displayed signs of impairment and had minor injuries. The adult female and Burdette’s six-year-old daughter had minor injuries. Burdette’s three-year-old and one-year-old sons were not injured. Warrick County EMS checked everyone involved in the crash and further medical treatment was refused. A family member later picked up the adult female and Burdette’s children. Burdette submitted to a blood test and those results are pending. Burdette was arrested and taken to the Warrick County Jail where he is currently being held on bond.

Arrested and Charges:

  • William Burdette, 27, Evansville, IN

  1. Neglect of a Dependent, Level 5 Felony

  2. Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated with Passengers under the age of 18, Level 6 Felony

  3. Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated, Class A Misdemeanor

Arresting Officer: Trooper Zack Fulton, Indiana State Police

Assisting Officer: Trooper Brent Gramig, Indiana State Police     

Illinois State Police Announces July Activity and Enforcement

Carmi, IL – Illinois State Police District 19 Interim Commander, Lieutenant Kerry Sutton, announced today activity and enforcement figures for the month of July. Troopers in District 19, which includes Wabash, Edwards, Wayne, White, Hamilton, Saline, and Gallatin Counties, recorded 1,228 incidents during the month.

Enforcement activity consisted of 476 citations and 1,062 written warnings, including 2 DUIs, 191 speeding citations, 62 occupant restraint citations, 18 distracted driving citations, 17 criminal arrests, and 290 written warnings for speeding. Troopers also assisted 61 motorists, conducted 160 Motor Carrier Safety Inspections, and investigated 27 traffic crashes. There were two fatal traffic crashes, resulting in three fatalities, investigated by District 19 during July.

Moreover, District 19 issued 273 citations and 415 written warnings for “Fatal Four” violations. These violations are most associated with fatal traffic crashes and include DUI, Speeding, Failure to Wear a Seatbelt, and Distracted Driving.

Closing Arguments Friday In Vaira Trial

The fate of 53-year-old Adam Vaira is being left up to a Wabash County jury. Testimony wrapped up this afternoon in the sexual assault trial of the Allendale man that began Monday in Wabash County Circuit Court.

Today, state’s attorney Kelli Storckman and defense attorney Melissa Duran both rested their cases. In the morning, Storckman called three witnesses including Vaira’s ex-wife, one of his sons, and State Police special agent Steve Perry. Storckman rested the state’s case just before 11:30am.

After a lengthy break for lunch and hearings on motions, the trial resumed after 2:30pm with Duran calling her only witness as Vaira took the stand in his own defense. Vaira denied all of the allegations leveled against him this week by the two alleged victims. Vaira testified that he had no idea why the allegations have been made, but they were false.

The trial resumes Friday morning at 9am with closing arguments after which the case will go to the jury.

Vaira is charged with two Class X felony charges of predatory criminal sexual assault and four Class 2 felony charges of aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a family member under 18. Vaira was arrested last May 5th. The charges stem from alleged incidents that occurred between May of 2000 and January of 2007. Vaira has been free on a $30,000 cash bond since he turned himself in to authorities on May 5th of last year.

Vaira Sexual Assault Trial Resumes This Morning

The sexual assault trial of 53 year old Adam Vaira of Allendale continues today in Wabash County Circuit Court.

During her opening argument yesterday, state’s attorney Kelli Storckman told the jury she would present a case of manipulation that allowed Vaira to commit various sex crimes against family members between May of 2000 and January of 2007.

Defense attorney Melissa Duran countered during her opening argument telling the jury there will be no physical evidence and no objective witnesses presented during the trial to prove Vaira was guilty of any of the charges leveled against him. She said the case centers on “inherently implausible facts” that the jury will be able to use their own “critical thinking” in acquitting her client.

The two alleged victims were the only witnesses called to testify yesterday. Both painted pictures of repeated inappropriate acts committed against them by Vaira. But during lengthy cross-examinations, Duran repeatedly questioned the statements made by the women during their testimony and those made to special agent Steve Perry of the State Police during last year’s investigation.

The trial resumes this morning and could possibly go to the jury at some point this afternoon.

Vaira is charged with two Class X felony charges of predatory criminal sexual assault and four Class 2 felony charges of aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a family member under 18.  

Testimony Starts In Vaira Sexual Assault Trial

Testimony began this morning in the sexual assault trial of 53 year old Adam Vaira of Allendale. During her opening argument, state’s attorney Kelli Storckman told the jury she would present a case of manipulation that allowed Vaira to commit various sex crimes against family members between May of 2000 and January of 2007.

Defense attorney Melissa Duran countered during her opening argument telling the jury there will be no physical evidence, no DNA, and no objective witnesses presented during the trial to prove Vaira was guilty of any of the charges leveled against him. She said the case centers on “inherently implausible facts” that the jury will be able to use their “critical thinking” in acquitting her client.

One of the alleged victims was the first person on the witness stand. The woman testified as to the alleged inappropriate actions Vaira committed against her.

After a late break for lunch, the trial will resume at 1:45 this afternoon in Wabash County Circuit Court.

Vaira is charged with with two Class X felony charges of predatory criminal sexual assault and four Class 2 felony charges of aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a family member under 18.

MCPD Chief Has Tips For Safe, Enjoyable Ag Days

When you come up to Ag Days this week, Police Chief Mike McWilliams says there are some things you shouldn’t bring….

McWilliams also said you should make sure you lock your vehicles when you come up town this week and leave valuables at home. Oh and if you have an outstanding warrant, McWilliams said you need to get that taken care of too, because his officers will be on the lookout for anyone with an outstanding warrant.