On December 20, 2023, at 5:29 p.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a report of a 911 report of a disturbance in the 600 block of South 575 West near Princeton. Upon arriving Sgt. Loren Barchett and Deputy Quinten Might began an investigation into the incident. After speaking with all parties involved in the incident 42 year old Matthew Greer of Princeton was taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Jail. Upon arriving at the Jail Mr. Greer was charged with Interference with a Reporting a Crime, Criminal Mischief, and Possession of Marijuana. He remains in custody on a $650 bond.
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
WGH Board Hears Updates On Construction Projects
Wabash General Hospital officials expect a project to add exterior dining at the hospital be completed next Spring. At Tuesday’s board of directors meeting, Doug McPherson reported that a pre-construction meeting on the project was held Monday as ARC Construction plans to begin work on January 15th with a May 15th completion date expected.
The board is also exploring the construction of a stand alone out-building for biohazard materials that would free up space inside the hospital.
In addition, a renovation of the housekeeping space is being explored as they are looking into flooring replacement, paint, lighting, and other general updates. McPherson reported there haven’t been updates to the original housekeeping space since 1983.
$3.2 Million In Wabash County Property Taxes Collected
Wabash County taxpayers have paid about a quarter of the real estate taxes due. Wabash County treasurer Angela Brewster reported to county commissioners that her office has collected $3,273,135 in property taxes so far, amounting to about 24% of what was levied. The installment is due January 16th with the second installment due a month later on February 16th. Payments may be made at the treasurer's office, the drop box in front of the courthouse, local banks, and online at govtechtaxpro.com.
District #348 School Board Raising Sub Pay
At their monthly meeting Monday night, the Wabash District #348 school board approved raises for substitutes in the district. Starting January 1st, substitute teacher pay will go from $120 a day to $130; pay for aide substitutes will increase from $100 to $110; substitute pay for cooks will increase from $91 to $98; while custodian subs will see an $8 a day increase from $104 to $112; and bus driver subs will go from $68 to $75. Finding subs has been a problem for the district and administrators hope the pay increases will make the district more competitive with surrounding schools and attract more employees. Information on required qualifications and openings can be found on the district website.
Allendale School Board Notes-December 2023
At the December 2023 Allendale School Board meeting held in the library of Allendale School, the board:
Adopted the 2023 Payable 2024 Tax Levy with an aggregate increase of 4.99%.
Each board member received a document to begin the Superintendent Evaluation process, which will be gathered and presented next month.
Approved the transfer of Talley Wyatt from Title 1 Paraprofessional to Head Cook, effective January 2, 2024.
Approved the hiring of Emily Wilson as the full-time 3rd grade teacher for the remainder of the 2023-2024 school year
Cloverdale Woman Arrested for Child Seduction
Putnam County - Indiana State Police initiated a criminal investigation on March 15, 2023, after receiving information from the Putnam County Department of Child Services concerning allegations of dissemination of sexual matters and child seduction with minors, from an employee of Cloverdale Community School Corporation.
The investigation revealed that Mandy L. Evans, age 46, Cloverdale, Indiana, had allegedly engaged in disseminating sexual photos and communications with minors that would be in her care as an employee of the Cloverdale Community School Corporation. These allegations took place in Putnam County.
After a lengthy criminal investigation and conducting digital forensics, the Putnam County Prosecutor’s Office issued an arrest warrant on December 20, 2023, for Evans. Trooper Kevin Fowler of the Putnamville State Police Post arrested Evans on the active warrant this evening. Evans was taken into custody without incident and is currently being held in the Putnam County Jail with no bond allowed.
Investigating Officer: Indiana State Police Master Trooper Ryan Winters.
Assisting Agencies: Child Services and Putnam County Sheriff’s Department.
Arrested and Charges: Mandy L. Evans, 46, Cloverdale, IN
Attempt to Commit: Child Seduction-Child Care Worker in Sexual Intercourse or other Sexual Conduct, Felony 5 (3 counts)
Dissemination of Matter Harmful to Minors, Level 6 Felony, (3 counts)
Under the law, criminal charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Fort Branch Woman Arrested On Drug Charges
On 12/17/23, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Daisha N. Cardinal, age 33, of Fort Branch, Indiana for Possession of Methamphetamine and Possession of Hypodermic Syringe/Needle following a traffic stop on a 1991 white GMC truck in the 200 block of W 9th Street for multiple violations of the Illinois Vehicle Code. During the stop, Officer Hopper and his K-9 Eleven arrived on scene to conduct an open-air sniff around the exterior the vehicle. K-9 Eleven alerted to an odor of illegal narcotics coming from the vehicle resulting in officers locating four used hypodermic needles and cotton balls under the driver’s seat. These items are commonly used to inject methamphetamine. The driver, Daisha Cardinal, was placed under arrest and transported to the Wabash County Jail. Upon arrival to the jail, Cardinal removed a plastic container containing suspected methamphetamine and another hypodermic needle from her bra prior to a search by a female correctional officer. The suspected methamphetamine field tested positive for methamphetamine. Cardinal was issued the above stated charges and later released on a Notice to Appear.
Circuit Clerk Rolls Out New App
Wabash County Circuit Clerk Angela Crum is excited to announce the release of a custom smartphone application. The app will serve as a new way for the clerk’s office to connect with Wabash County residents, providing information quickly and efficiently to anyone with a smartphone.
The Wabash County Circuit Clerk app was developed by TheGovApp.com, a brand of OCV, LLC which specializes in mobile app development for clerk’s offices and government agencies across the country. The app offers quick access to items of public interest and is easy to use. In just a few clicks, users can access features such as:
● Circuit Clerk’s Message
● Search Court Cases
● Make a Payment
● Court Forms
● Jury Duty Info
● eFile
● Contact Us
● More!
The app is available for download for free in the App Store and Google Play. Search “Wabash County Clerk, IL” or click here to download.
Two Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Attempting to Entice a Minor
BENTON, Ill. – A district judge sentenced two men to each spend ten years in federal prison after both were charged in a law enforcement sting to detect online child predators.
Timmy Wayne Smith, 59, of McLeansboro, Illinois, and Joseph Randall Edmaiston, 37, of Clinton, Kentucky, each pleaded guilty to one count of attempted enticement of a minor.
“Although both men fully intended to sexually abuse a child, they were apprehended by law enforcement after interacting online with a purported 15-year-old girl who was actually an undercover agent,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. “This proactive operation successfully detected child predators lurking online, and I appreciate the actions of the officers to put these offenders in federal prison.”
In August 2020, law enforcement agents conducted an undercover investigation to detect child predators where an agent created an online profile of a purported 15-year-old girl. According to court documents, Smith and Edmaiston both interacted with the undercover profile and discussed plans to engage in sexual conduct with the purported child.
“The ease of online interaction increases the likelihood that a predator will engage your child with the intent to harm them,” said FBI Springfield Field Office Acting Special Agent in Charge Shannon Fontenot.” It is imperative that parents and caregivers establish safety guidelines for children and monitor who they talk to online. The FBI’s proactive efforts help to thwart the attempts of those looking to do harm, but prevention can go a long way in avoiding a tragedy all together.”
Smith and Edmaiston were each arrested by police after both men traveled to a home in Marion, Illinois, for the sexual encounter. Following the federal prison sentence, both men will each serve five years of supervised release.
FBI Springfield Field Office led the investigation with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service, the Illinois State Police, the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office, the Herrin Police Department, and the Marion Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Casey Bloodworth and David Sanders prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims
Fort Branch man arrested for trespassing and mischief
On December 18, 2023, at 6:38 p.m. Gibson County Sgt. Loren Barchett was dispatched to the 600 block of South Center Street in Fort Branch to investigate a disturbance. Upon arriving Sgt. Barchett spoke with the owner of the property and it was revealed that 76 year old Victor Sokeland had come onto the property after being trespassed from the property on a prior documented occasion. While on the property Mr. Sokeland vandalized the reporting party’s vehicle. Mr. Sokeland was located next door to the property and taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Criminal Trespass and Criminal Mischief. He remains in custody on a $650 bond.
Assisting Sgt. Barchett in his investigation was Sgt. Roger Ballard and Indiana State Trooper Tanner Hurley.
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
