On 4/14/23, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Randall A. Cleveland, age 44, of Mt. Carmel, for Failure to Update Sex Offender Registry. Cleveland is a registered sex offender and is statutorily required to notify the Mt. Carmel Police Department of any changes in his employment status. MCPD learned that Cleveland had begun a job in Gibson County in early March 2023 and failed to notify Gibson County or the Mt. Carmel Police Department. The arresting officer took Cleveland into custody without incident at his residence in the 1100 block of W 3rd Street. Cleveland is already out on bond from another sex offender registry violation in January of 2023 in Wabash County. He is currently being held in the Wabash County Jail pending a bond setting by a judge.
Mt. Carmel Woman Jailed On Charge of Aggravated Battery With Deadly Weapon
On 4/13/23, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Savannah D. Runyon, age 23, of Mt. Carmel, for Aggravated Battery with a Deadly Weapon following an incident in the 600 block of N Walnut Street. Police were called to the scene to investigate an attack on a male subject by a female subject holding a white metal door damper/piston. After reviewing video surveillance footage, police identified the above defendant as the suspect and made contact with her at a residence in the 500 block of W 6th Street. Further investigation led to Runyon’s arrest and incarceration at the Wabash County Jail. Runyon is being held pending a bond setting by a judge.
Convicted Drug Dealer Facing Additional Charges
Additional drug charges have been filed against a Mt. Carmel man who is already awaiting sentencing for a meth delivery conviction. 61 year old John Dardeen was convicted February 7th by a Wabash County Jury on a Class 2 felony charge of meth delivery of more than 5 grams. During the trial, Dardeen testified in his own defense denying his sold meth, but instead sold cannabis. That triggered a search warrant by local authorities at Dardeen’s residence in the 300 block of Walnut Street. Police Chief Mike McWilliams said the search resulted in several items being located that are associated with the manufacture and delivery of methamphetamine, a sawed-off 12-gauge shotgun with ammunition, and many other cannabis related items. Last week, State’s Attorney Kelli Storckman filed two Class X felonies against Dardeen. The first, possession of meth with intent to deliver, carries a possible prison sentence of 10 to 50 years plus a possible $300,000 fine. The second Class X felony was for aggravated participation in methamphetamine manufacturing which carries a possible 12 to 50 years in prison and another potential $300,000 fine. A sentencing hearing for Dardeen that was set for March 20th has been delayed. A status hearing in the case is set for May 8th. He already faces up to 7 years in prison in that case. Bond on the new charges was set at $500,000. Dardeen has been held in the Wabash County Jail since his February conviction.
Mt. Carmel Man Jailed For Violating Bail Bond
On 4/11/23, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Eric M. Swanson, age 35, of Mt. Carmel, for Violation of a Bail Bond when he was observed outside of the courtroom at the Wabash County Courthouse. Specifically, next to an individual he was court ordered through a bond stipulation to have no contact. An MCPD officer who was present for an unrelated court case was advised of this information so he made contact with him in the area of 4th & Market. Swanson was placed under arrest and escorted to the Wabash County Jail where he is being held pending a bond setting by a judge.
Mt. Carmel Man Arrested On Federal Parole Violation
On 4/07/23, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Terry R. Wagner, age 59, of Mt. Carmel, on a Federal Parole Violation Warrant. The arresting officers made contact with Wagner at 3rd & Walnut Street where he was taken into custody without incident. Wagner was taken to the Wabash County Jail where he was issued the warrant and is awaiting the United States Marshal Service to arrive for transportation back to a federal holding facility.
Wanted West Salem Man Captured In Olney
From Edwards County Sheriff Darby Boewe:
City Offering Website Option To Complete Lead Water Line Survey
City officials have come up with a way to stream line the lead water line survey that is set to take place this summer. Mayor Joe Judge had previously announced that the state EPA is mandating all communities conduct a survey to determine the presence of the lead lines. The city has received a $40,000 grant to help pay for individual to visit every residence and business in town this summer to complete the survey. But now, Judge said there’s a way to avoid having someone coming to your door asking about water lines. A short survey has been set up on the city’s website that you can complete that will help the city meet the state mandate…
Judge has said the survey of 3,000 water lines in Mt. Carmel must be completed by June of next year.
The survey can be found here: https://www.cityofmtcarmel.com/publicworks/webform/water-service-line-material-survey
Final Deadline To Pay Property Taxes Coming Up
Wabash County Treasurer, Angela Broster, wants to remind everyone that the final day to pay 2021 Payable 2022 Real Estates Taxes to prevent going to the Tax Sale is Thursday, April 13, 2023. Taxes can be paid in Cash, Cashier’s Check or Money Order.
Please call the Treasurer’s Office at 618-262-5262 to verify the correct amount due. The Treasurer’s Office is also open from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm Monday through Thursday to receive payments before the Tax Sale on Friday, April 14, 2023 at 10:00 am.
WWII Commander From Lawrenceville To Be Buried Next Week In Hawaii
Commander Frederick Schrader, born in Carbondale and raised in Lawrenceville, Illinois, was shot down in 1944 during the Battle of Formosa (Taiwan), will be buried in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Hawaii on Thursday, April 13 at 11:30 a.m. local time.
In October 1944, CDR Schrader was commander of Carrier Air Group 11 on the USS Hornet, one of 17 aircraft carriers to take part in the Battle of Formosa (now known as Taiwan), which took place between Oct. 12 - 15.
On Oct. 13, Schrader’s F6F-5 Hellcat fighter (he was flying an aircraft belonging to Fighting Squadron (VF) 11) was shot down during an attack on Toko Seaplane Base on Formosa. His wingman never saw a parachute or any evidence Schrader was able to exit the aircraft before it crashed. No rescue attempt was possible because the crash happened in enemy territory.
From the Hornet’s War Diary:
“Strikes continue on the morning of the 13th against substantially the same objectives on Formosa. The same airfields were hit again and more planes destroyed. The destruction of the facilities at Heito and Reigaryo was continued. … the day was marred by the loss of the Air Group Commander Frederick Schrader by AA fire. He was shot down while leading a strafing attack, and his loss was a serious one since his leadership and work with the Air Group had been outstanding.”
CDR Schrader was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and Purple Heart Medal for his actions that day.
From the citation of CDR Frederick R. Scharder’s Posthumous Distinguished Flying Cross “By his inspiring leadership, indomitable fighting spirit and cool courage in the face of tremendous odds, Commander Schrader contributed materially to the extensive and costly damage inflicted on the enemy in this area and his valiant devotion to duty throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his live for his country.”
The Recovery of CDR Schrader
After being shot down, CDR Schrader’s body was recovered by Imperial Japanese forces in the area, returned to a local headquarters, and inspected by an intelligence officer. He was interred as “X-136 Schofield,” a WWII unknown recovered from Formosa, in the National Cemetery of the Pacific (NMCP, also known as “Punchbowl”) in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Through the determined efforts of former Naval Flight Officer Matt Robbins, Missing-in Action researcher with the USS Hornet Museum, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) agreed to undertake the identification beginning in 2018.
Research by DPAA analysts found more evidence linking the two, and on Aug. 11, 2022, X-136 was disinterred and taken to the DPAA laboratory at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, for analysis. On Sept. 27, X-136 was positively identified as CDR Frederick Rutherford Schrader. Frederick will be buried in NMCP on 13 April 2023 with full military honors, with members of his family in attendance.
Information provided by Navy Personnel Command Public Affairs
USS HORNET – Battle of Formosa
Frederick Rutherford Schrader.
Birthplace: Carbondale, Illinois
Date: March 12, 1913
Hometown: Lawrenceville, Illinois
Enlisted: 23rd Illinois District
Date: June 15, 1931
Rank/Rating: Commander
Designation: Naval Aviator
Promotions: Ensign: 06/06/1935;
Lieutenant Junior Grade: 06/06/1938
Lieutenant: 08/20/1942
Lieutenant Commander: 05/01/1943
Commander: 03/01/1944
Loss Date: Killed in Action: 10/13/1944
Duty Station:
Commander, Air Group 11, USS Hornet (CV 12) Fighter Squadron 3
Commander, Scouting Squadron (VS) 2D12
Naval Air Station Alameda, CA
Observation Squadron (VO) 3, USS Idaho (BB 42)
Fighter Squadron (VF) 4, USS Ranger (CV 4)
Naval Air Station, Pensacola, FL
USS New Mexico (BB 40)
Student, US Naval Academy
Awards and Decorations*
Distinguished Flying Cross
Purple Heart Medal
Navy “E” Ribbon
American Defense Service Medal (with Fleet Clasp, Bronze “A”)
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
American Campaign Medal
World War II Victory Med
from the citation of CDR Frederick R. Scharder’s Posthumous Distinguished Flying Cross
“By his inspiring leadership, indomitable fighting spirit and cool courage in the face of tremendous odds, Commander Schrader contributed materially to the extensive and costly damage inflicted on the enemy in this area and his valiant devotion to duty throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his live for his country.”
Mt. Carmel Man Arrested On Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault Warrant
On 4/05/23, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Kevin R Harms, age 57, of Mt. Carmel, on a Wabash County Warrant for Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault following a joint investigation conducted by the Mt. Carmel Police Department and the Wabash County Sheriff's Office. The arresting officer located Harms walking at 11th & Cherry and took him into custody. Harms was also in possession of suspected methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. Harms was transported to the Wabash County Jail, where he is being held on a $10,000 cash bond which includes a stipulation of no contact with minor children should he post bond. Harms will require an additional bond setting for the felony drug charge.
