Kelli Storckman, Wabash County State’s Attorney, reports that
Matthew M. Berberich, a 40-year old Bellmont, Illinois man, was
sentenced to the Illinois Department of Corrections by the Honorable
Circuit Judge William C. Hudson in Wabash County Circuit Court.
State’s Attorney Storckman advises that the Defendant was charged
May 3, 2023, with Failure to Report Change of Address, a Class 3 Felony.
On July 19, 2022, Mr. Berberich was placed on Probation for 24 months.
After admitting to a violation of his probation on June 20, 2023, Mr.
Berberich was sentenced to 5 years in the Department of Corrections, to
be followed by up to 12 months of mandatory supervised release.
Allegedly Hitting Girlfriend In Head With Fishing Pole Lands Mt. Carmel Man In Jail
On 6/26/23, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Christopher J. Perry, age 37, of Mt. Carmel for Domestic Battery following a domestic dispute at a residence in the 900 block of Landes Street. The alleged victim/girlfriend to Perry made contact with an off duty MCPD officer who lived nearby stating she had just been battered with a fishing pole to the back of the head. When the officer existed his home, he found Perry standing the victim, who was on the ground. Perry was ordered away from the victim, leaving the area on foot. On duty MCPD officers responded to the area and were able to take Perry into custody in the 300 block of W 10th Street. During the arrest, officers located a glass smoking pipe containing suspected methamphetamine residue as well as a plastic bag containing a used and broken glass smoking pipe. Perry was transported to the Wabash County Jail where he was charged and is being held pending a bond setting by a judge.
WSJD File Photo From 2021
Mt. Carmel Man Jailed On Domestic Battery Charge
On 6/26/23, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Christopher A. Shaffer, age 39, of Mt. Carmel for Domestic Battery following an alleged domestic dispute. Police received a report of hearing a female screaming near the area of 13th & College Dr that came from a white Nissan SUV. The white Nissan appeared to be speeding and screeching its tires. Shortly thereafter, the alleged victim called police stating she had just been battered by her boyfriend while inside the vehicle and was able to flee after forcing the vehicle into park on College Dr. The driver, later identified as the above defendant, left the area. During the investigation police found evidence to indicate Shaffer repeatedly struck said victim in the head. Police eventually located Shaffer at his residence in the 1100 block of W 3rd Street where he was taken into custody and transported to the Wabash County Jail. Shaffer is currently on parole through the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) and was notified of his arrest. Schaffer is being held pending a bond setting by a judge. Later, IDOC issued a parole violation warrant on Shaffer. MCPD was assisted by the Wabash County Sheriff’s Office.
Appointments Made To Library Board
A new member has been appointed to the Mt. Carmel Public Library Board. The city council approved the appointment of Ashley Bishop-Cushman to take over for William Easton who resigned after many years on the board. The city council also reappointed Nancy Price and Patrice Youngs to new terms on the library board.
Still No Action Taken Following Another Special School Board Meeting
The Wabash District #348 school board met behind closed doors for over an hour Monday evening and again took no action on employment matters. Yesterday’s session started at 4:30pm as the board immediately went into executive session for the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees. The meeting adjourned after a little more than an hour at about 5:35pm with no action being taken by the board.
The board has now had two special meetings in the last 10 days spending more than 2 and a half hours in closed session. In addition, the board met in executive session for more than an hour last Monday during their regular monthly meeting.
City Exploring New Funding Sources For Pool
The city of Mt. Carmel’s efforts to locate alternative funding sources have gotten a boost from a little known state group. Mayor Joe Judge explains…
The city is scouring all available avenues looking for money for various projects, most notably a new city pool.
Safeguard your freedom this Independence Day Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over
Jasper, IN. — While Independence Day will be in the middle of the week this year, law enforcement in Indiana will be on the lookout for impaired drivers during the weekend leading up to the holiday.
The Indiana State Police and other agencies across Indiana will be participating in the national Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over enforcement mobilization to educate motorists about the dangers and consequences of impaired driving. From June 30 until July 8, officers will be increasing patrols to prevent tragedies previously seen around the July 4th holiday.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) through the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI) funds the extra high-visibility enforcement.
“During the July 4th holiday, we’ll pull over and arrest drunk drivers,” said Lieutenant Jason Allen. “We’re showing zero tolerance. Everyone knows the law: It is illegal to drink and drive. Still, people test the waters and drive after a few too many. We know how to spot a drunk driver on the road. Drunk driving is selfish and arrogant, and it endangers the drivers, their passengers, and other people on the road.”
About 37 people die in the U.S. in drunk driving crashes every day. According to NHTSA, that’s approximately one person every 39 minutes and more than 13,384 annually.
Of the 949 traffic fatalities that occurred last year in Indiana, 110, or 12 percent, were alcohol-related. While that is a decline from 115 in 2021, there is still a long way to go. During the weekend around Independence Day alone, there were 11 fatal collisions with two involving a driver over the legal limit.
"Impaired driving is a serious problem that claims the lives of thousands of people each year in our state and nation. While increased enforcement efforts can help to reduce impaired driving, we cannot simply arrest our way out of this problem,” said Devon McDonald, Executive Director of the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute. “We need to work together to raise awareness of the dangers of impaired driving and encourage people to make smart choices when they drink. If you are going to drink, please designate a sober driver or call a taxi. It is not worth risking your life or the lives of others."
In Indiana, it is illegal to drive with a BAC of .08 or higher. In addition, drivers under 21 with a BAC of .02 or higher are subject to fines and a license suspension for up to one year.
Impaired driving includes more than just alcohol. Drugs and even some over-the-counter medications can also cause impairment and can slow coordination, judgment, and reaction times on the road.
Officers will be on the lookout for all forms of impairment, and the consequences can include thousands of dollars in legal fees, increased insurance rates, loss of license, a criminal record, and possible jail time.
Plan a safe and sober ride home before going out to avoid those. Even if only one drink is consumed, designate a sober driver or plan to use a rideshare service, public transportation, or taxi. Motorists that encounter a drunk driver on the road are encouraged to call 911.
This 4th of July and every day, Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.
Accident leads to arrest of Elberfeld man on DUI charge
On June 24, 2023, at 10:28 p.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a report of a two vehicle personal injury accident on US 41 near State Road 68. Upon arriving Deputy Bart Wagner detected the odor of alcohol coming from one of the drivers, 54 year old Jerry Mason of Elberfeld. At that point Deputy Wagner began a roadside DUI investigation while Deputy Logan Lashbrook worked the motor vehicle accident. Deputy Lashbrook was able to determine that Mr. Mason’s Grey 2016 GMC Acadia had rear ended a Silver 2013 Hyundai Sonata that was stopped in the left turn lane of South US 41 waiting to turn East onto State Road 68. Medics from the Gibson County Ambulance Service were sent to the scene, but all occupants signed a waiver of release after refusing further treatment. Once Deputy Wagner was completed with his investigation he transported Mr. Mason to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated. He has since posted a $450 bond.
All Criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Mt. Carmel Woman Arrested On Aggravated Assault Charge
On 6/23/23, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Billie Jo Dybedahl, age 35, of Mt. Carmel for Aggravated Assault following an incident at 330 W 10th Street. Police were called to the scene to investigate a complaint regarding Dybedhal cursing and threatening harm towards the alleged victim. The victim wished to pursue charges against Dybedhal and was allowed to do so, given probable cause existed. Police later located Dybedhal at a nearby gas station where she was taken into custody and transported to the Wabash County Jail. Dybedhal was held pending the posting of bond.
Restaurant Worker Arrested For Aggravated Assault
On 6/24/23, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Eric M. Swanson, age 35, of Mt. Carmel for Aggravated Assault following an incident at a local restaurant. Swanson, who had recently been hired for employment at the establishment, arrived for work on this date. The manager suspected Swanson to be impaired on alcohol and that he had inappropriately touched a co-worker so they attempted to send Swanson home. Swanson became belligerent and began threatening said manager with physical harm. Police arrived to the scene and spoke to several witnesses confirming the allegations. The manager signed a complaint against Swanson for Aggravated Assault; however, the other involved employee declined to pursue additional charges. Swanson, who is out on bond for other unrelated charges, was transported to the Wabash County Jail where he was charged and held pending a bond setting by a judge.
