Sex Offender Arrested For Lying

On 1/12/23, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Randall A. Cleveland, age 44, of Mt. Carmel, for violation of his duty to register as a sex offender. Cleveland recently moved from Florida to Mt. Carmel due to a dating relationship when he registered at the Mt. Carmel Police Department towards the end of December 2022. Afterward, MCPD began to vet the information Cleveland provided for truthfulness and accuracy. During this investigation, it was discovered that Cleveland had provided false information on his occupation, his use of social media applications and his phone number.

Cleveland was taken into custody and transported to the Wabash County Jail where he was charged accordingly. Cleveland is being held pending a bond setting by a judge. More charges are anticipated as the investigation continues.

Police Chief Mike McWilliams said, “The diligent work by MCPD staff cannot be understated in this arrest”.

Overnight Chase ends with Three Arrests, Stolen Handgun Recovered

Knox / Gibson Counties: Thursday morning, January 12, at approximately 1:07 a.m., Trooper Hurley was patrolling US 41 near Decker when he observed a vehicle traveling south at a high rate of speed. Trooper Hurley activated his radar and clocked the 2021 Kia at 79 mph in the 60 mph zone. Moments later, Trooper Hurley stopped the vehicle on US 41 and identified the driver as Brianna Ransom, 20, of Chicago. Three other passengers were inside the vehicle. While communicating with the driver, a strong odor of raw marijuana was detected inside the vehicle. When the front seat passenger was asked to exit the vehicle, the female driver put the vehicle in gear and drove off at a high rate of speed. While chasing the vehicle, Trooper Hurley observed an object that was thrown from the passenger side of the vehicle. The object struck the shoulder and sparked from the impact before landing in the grass. The driver continued south traveling more than 100 mph. Trooper Roberts deployed stop sticks in Gibson County near CR 350 North causing the vehicle to stop between CR 225 and CR 100 N. All the passengers were removed from the vehicle without further incident. During a search of the vehicle, the lower part of a Glock handgun was located. The serial number had been filed off and was not readable.

Knox County Sheriff’s Deputy Brunner and his K-9, Goran, responded to the area where Trooper Hurley observed the object being thrown from the vehicle. During a search, Deputy Brunner and his K-9 found a Glock .45 caliber handgun that had been reported stolen out of Chicago, IL. The driver and two passengers were arrested and taken to the Knox County Jail where they are currently being held on bond. The fourth person was not arrested.

Arrested and Charges:

• Brianna Ransom, 20, Chicago, IL

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

• Tyger Steen, 20, Chicago, IL

• Dvontre Watkins, 21, Chicago, IL

1. Possession of a Stolen Firearm, Level 6 Felony

2. Possession of an Altered Serial Number on a Firearm, Level 5 Felony

3. Interfering with a Criminal Investigation, Class B Misdemeanor

Arresting Officer: Trooper Tanner Hurley, Indiana State Police

Assisting Officers: Trooper Roberts, Trooper Buchanan, Master Trooper Lockridge, Trooper Vennekotter, and Trooper Stewart, Indiana State Police

Brianna Ransom

Tyger Steen

Dvontre Watkins

IECC Board Candidates Announced

Brenda Culver, Noble, and Gary Carter, Fairfield filed petitions for reelection to the Board of Trustees of Illinois Eastern Community College District No. 529. The terms of the two incumbents expire in 2023.

Roger Browning, Mt. Carmel filed petitions for election to an unfinished term left vacant by the resignation of Al Henager. Roger Browning was appointed by the Board of Trustees to fill the vacant seat and will now seek to be elected for the two years remaining on that seat.

The two incumbent candidates filed for full terms and seek to be elected for a full six-year term and Roger Browning is seeking election to complete the remaining two years of a full term. The election is to be held during the consolidated election on Tuesday, April 4, 2023.

Continuing trustees are John Brooks, Hutsonville, Barbara Shimer, Robinson and Jan Ridgely, Olney. Due to an appointment as the Lawrence County States Attorney, Trustee Brady Waldrop resigned from the IECC Board of Trustees effective December 19, 2022. The Trustees will fill this vacant seat at their January 2023 meeting at Olney Central College.

Illinois’ Consolidated Election is Tuesday, April 4th.

Cherry Street Work Underway

Cherry Street at 7th Street is expected to be closed for three weeks as work started yesterday to remove all bricks and concrete from that intersection. Mayor Joe Judge announced Monday that in addition to removing the bricks and concrete, city crews will be pour a concrete base before new bricks are laid….

Storm sewer work is also part of the project according to Judge.

Photo credit: Joe Judge

Common Sense Items Discussed At City Council Meeting

From the things you probably shouldn’t need to be told file….city officials want you to know that driving on the new sidewalk leading to the restrooms at the city park isn’t allowed. Mayor Joe Judge…

The second thing you probably shouldn’t need to be told is that kids aren’t allowed in Mt. Carmel video gaming establishments. City Clerk Ryan Turner introduced an amendment to the city’s liquor alcohol beverage ordinance to specify that you have to be at least 21 years of age to enter the video gaming businesses….

The amendment, which brings the city in line with state statutes, does not apply to businesses such as the bowling alley and restaurants where gambling machines might be available.

Sheriff & State's Attorney Issue Statements Opposing Weapons Ban

From Wabash County State’s Attorney Kelli Storckman:

I join the Sheriff of Wabash County, Illinois, and state my opposition to House Bill 5471, signed into law by Governor Pritzker on January 10, 2023.

The RIGHT of the people of Wabash County to keep and bear arms for the defense of life, liberty, and property is an inalienable one. When sworn in as an attorney and again when sworn in as the State’s Attorney of Wabash County I took an oath to support the Constitution of the United States of America. I cannot and will not ignore that oath. To enforce this law and make otherwise law-abiding citizens into criminals, would be to do just that.

I remain devoted to the safety of the members of our community and I will continue to use my best efforts to combat crime within Wabash County. I invite members of the community to contact me with any questions or concerns.

Kelli Storckman Wabash Co. State’s Attorney

Police Training Today At WGH

Area law enforcement officers will be at Wabash General Hospital today participating in required training. Mt. Carmel Police Chief Mike McWilliams said the emergency medical response training is being hosted at no charge in the hospital board room. McWilliams said the availability of WGH means officers won’t have to travel to Carbondale or Effingham for the training.

Mayor To Deliver State Of The City Friday On WSJD

Mayor Joe Judge was to have delivered his annual state of the city remarks at yesterday’s city council meeting that was the first of 2023. Instead, the mayor will offer his message during the monthly “Ask the Mayor” segment Friday morning here on WSJD. Judge did offer a sneak peak to what his address will focus on….

The mayor’s state of the city address and the Ask The Mayor segment can be heard Friday morning at about 8:35 on WSJD.

ILLINOIS STATE POLICE INVESTIGATE IN-CUSTODY DEATH

WAYNE CITY - The Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Internal Investigation (DII) is investigating an in-custody death which occurred in Wayne County.

 On January 4, 2023, at approximately 11:58 p.m., an ISP Trooper initiated a traffic stop of a vehicle traveling with one headlight on 100 North near Illinois 242, in Wayne County.  As a result of the traffic stop, 59-year-old Harry Weccele from Evansville, Indiana was taken into custody for Driving While License Suspended, Possession of Methamphetamine and a Warrant, and subsequently transported to the Wayne County jail.  Upon arrival at the jail, Weccele complained of shoulder pain.  The Wayne County Jail requested an ambulance and Weccele was transported to an area hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.

 This incident is being investigated by ISP DII and the Wayne County Coroner’s office. The investigation is open and on-going and there is no further information available at this time.

Tip Leads To Arrest In Criminal Damage To Property Investigation

A tip submitted through the Wabash County Sheriff's App resulted in the arrest of 19 year old Dayton M. Hall of Mt.Carmel.

Hall was arrested and charged with leaving the scene of a property damage accident & criminal damage to property.

The arrest stems from a Dec. 22nd, 2022 incident where a flag pole and landscaping structure was destroyed due to being struck by a vehicle.

A Crimestoppers request to the public led to several tips being submitted.

Evidence gathered at the scene combined with the tips led to this arrest. Hall has a first appearance in Wabash County Court on 01.30.23.