Sullivan Man in Custody After a Foot Pursuit

Sullivan County - Thursday, February 16, 2023, at approximately 8:20 p.m., Indiana State Police Trooper Austin Robertson was completing a traffic stop on State Road 48 near Hymera, when another passenger vehicle traveled past him. That vehicle was operated by Dustin B. McKim, age 43, of Sullivan. Having knowledge that McKim had active warrants out of Sullivan County for his arrest, Trooper Robertson immediately returned to his commission in order to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle.  

Trooper Robertson caught up to McKim and activated his emergency lights to initiate a traffic stop.  McKim drove for approximately one additional mile through the streets of Hymera, eventually coming to an abrupt stop.  Trooper Robertson then observed McKim quickly exit the vehicle, running south.  Trooper Robertson, without hesitation, got out of his patrol car and gave loud verbal commands for McKim to stop, but the commands were disregarded, and Trooper Robertson pursued on foot.  McKim ran through several yards and was able to evade Trooper Robertson.  Several other law enforcement officers arrived on scene and through the use of a K-9 and a thermal imaging drone, McKim was located hiding in bushes and was immediately secured. 

Further investigation by Trooper Robertson also revealed that McKim displayed signs of impairment.  McKim agreed to submit to a certified test and failed.  He was arrested and taken to the Sullivan County Jail where he is currently being held without bond.

Assisting Agencies:  Several troopers of the Putnamville State Police Post, Department of Natural Resources, Jasonville Police Department, Farmersburg Police Department, and the Sullivan County Sheriff's Department.

Arrested and Preliminary Charges:  Dustin B. McKim, 43, Sullivan

  • Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated Endangering a Person, Class A Misdemeanor

  • Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated, Class C Misdemeanor

  • Resisting Law Enforcement, Class A Misdemeanor 

  • Conversion, Felony 5 (warrant)

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


Judge: New Walnut Street Business "Dead"

Last year, the Mt. Carmel City Council City Council approved a zoning variance that was meant to bring a new drive-thru restaurant to Walnut Street. But during last week’s “Ask The Mayor” segment on WSJD, Joe Judge delivered some bad news for the project that was to have opened on the vacant lot across the alley from H & R Block…

Judge said despite people’s feelings or their social media comments, all businesses are welcome in Mt. Carmel…

Mt. Carmel Man Arrested On Meth Possession Charge

On 2/16/23, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Tracy Curtis Wilson, age 33, of Mt. Carmel, on a Wabash County Warrant for Possession of Methamphetamine. The arresting officer observed Wilson at 6th & Poplar Street when contact was made. Additionally, Wilson was found in possession of a clear bag of suspected methamphetamine which later field tested positive. Wilson was transported to the Wabash County Jail where he was issued the warrant and charged with an additional charge of Possession of Methamphetamine. Wilson is being held pending a bond setting by a judge.

Fairfield Man Caught With Counterfeit Designer Phone Cases Heads to Federal Prison

BENTON, Ill. – A U.S. District Court judge sentenced a man from Fairfield to 33 months in prison after he admitted to importing more than 800 counterfeit designer phone cases from Hong Kong to resell in the U.S.

Trevor J. Edwards, 21, pled guilty to two counts of trafficking counterfeit goods. In addition to his prison sentence, he will receive three years of supervised release and was ordered to pay $1,367.20 in restitution and $500 in fines.

“In two separate instances, the defendant knowingly attempted to obtain counterfeit goods in order to resell and manipulate consumers in downstate Illinois,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. “Reselling counterfeit goods is not a victimless crime, and offenders face serious consequences.” "

Counterfeit goods traffickers like Edwards are looking to gain a profit but in reality, are committing a crime that results in American jobs lost, American business profits stolen and American consumers receiving substandard products,” said Sean Fitzgerald, special agent in charge of HSI Chicago. “HSI enforcement operations into intellectual property theft protect not only the companies who have copyrighted products, but the consumers who believe they are buying legitimate goods.”

In February 2021, Customs and Border Protection seized 500 counterfeit designer cellphone cases when the shipment reached the U.S. border from Hong Kong. According to court documents, Edwards was listed on the box as the recipient. The phone cases were counterfeit Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Burberry and Gucci and retailed an estimated $212,500. Once intercepted, the government sent a receipt to Edwards to notify him of his illegal activity.

Months later in May 2021, Edwards was pulled over by law enforcement in Washington County and a search of his vehicle found 336 counterfeit designer cell phone cases, $241,000 in cash and 2,909 vape pens and cartridges containing cannabis. The phone cases retailed an estimated $101,340.

Homeland Security Investigations led the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter T. Reed prosecuted the case.

Dee Offers Update On Cherry Street Brick Project

More donations are being sought to help cover the cost of replacing the bricks at the 7th and Cherry Street intersection. Project organizer Jay Dee was at the last city council meeting and he said the original estimate to replace over 6,000 bricks came in at just under $24,000. But, Dee explained once crews started work last month, the project quickly became much more extensive than originally thought with an additional 1,500 bricks being needed along with 2,100 square feet of concrete than the 1,345 square feet that was originally thought. The price tag now according to Dee is right at $37,000. Mayor Joe Judge said city crews have been busy helping to work on infrastructure at the intersection… 

 Judge said the new bricks are being installed in a unique manner… 

 Dee said he would work on securing more donations to cover the cost over-runs.

City Hopes Grant Will Pay For Lead Pipe Inspector

It looks like the city of Mt. Carmel will receive help to pay for a state mandate to survey water lines all over town. Mayor Joe Judge said they’re in the final stages of receiving a $40,000 grant to pay for the required lead inspection survey… 

 Judge said there’s not a lot of time to get the survey of 3,000 water lines completed….

 He said the person hired for the position will be dedicated to just the lead inspection survey. 

Lease Being Finalized For Office Space For New Defendant Advocate

Part of Illinois’ Safety Act is establishing pre-trial services for defendants in each county. In Wabash County, the position is being filled by Day Robinson and she is occupying space in the state’s attorney’s office. Wabash County commissioners are expected to enter into a formal lease agreement with the office of statewide pretrial services for the office space that will pay the county just over $7,000 a year. State’s Attorney Kelli Storckman said she is making minor tweaks to the proposed lease agreement and hopes to have it finalized by the first of March. 

January State's Attorney Report

At the recent Wabash County Commissioner meeting, state’s attorney Kelli Storckman released her office’s monthly report. In January, Storckman filed 8 felony and 5 misdemeanor cases along with 5 domestic violence cases, 1 DUI, and 62 traffic offenses. The state’s attorney’s office collected just over $15,800 in fines last month and $4,100 in restitution. There were no deceptive practice cases filed in January in Wabash County.