On January 31, 2024, at 5:35 p.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a 911 report of a five vehicle accident on State Road 64 near East Mount Carmel. Upon arriving on scene it was determined that this incident was in fact two separate accidents where the first vehicle struck a deer that had entered the roadway. As a result of this accident vehicles began to slow down in traffic. The fifth vehicle rear ended the last vehicle causing a chain reaction up to the original scene. Multiple Law Enforcement Officers were dispatched to the scene along with Owensville Montgomery Township Fire and the Gibson County Ambulance Service. Two drivers from these accidents were taken to area hospitals for minor injuries. Although this is an ongoing investigation at this time alcohol is believed to be a factor in this incident and charges will be filed at a later date.
Two injured in head on collision on State Road 57
On January 31, 2024, at 4:42 p.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a 911 report of a two vehicle accident on State Road 57 south of State Road 64. Upon arriving on scene law enforcement began an investigation into the incident. During the investigation it was discovered that a Green 1994 GMC Sierra was traveling Southbound on State Road 57 and crossed the center line and struck a Silver 2006 Nissan Xterra that was Northbound head on. The Gibson County Ambulance Service as well as the East Gibson Fire Territory were dispatched to the scene to assess and treat two patients. Ultimately one person was transported to an area hospital by ambulance and one patient was transported by a medical helicopter.
Alcohol is not believed to be a factor in this accident.
Suspect Extradited To Wabash County After Being Picked Up In Lawrence County
On 01.31.24 the Lawrence County Sheriff's Office contacted the Wabash County Sheriff's Office reference Coleton E. D. Seibert. Lawrence County had picked up Seibert , 29 of Mt. Carmel on an outstanding Wabash County Warrant. Seibert was extradited back to Wabash County where he was served with two Wabash County warrants , one for theft stemming from a stolen welder/trailer from the rural Allendale area and a warrant for two counts of Aggravated fleeing and eluding from the Mt. Carmel Police Department.
Keensburg Woman Arrested For Allegedly Stealing Checks
On 01.30.24 the Wabash County Sheriff's Office was called to a Keensburg residence reference stolen checks. Once the deputy arrived it was determined a theft had occurred. Following up on that complaint and seeking the suspect, led the deputy to another residence in Keensburg. Upon a short investigative interview, it was determined that Billie Jo Dybedahl 35 of Keensburg, was responsible for the check theft. In addition to the first theft and second was discovered. Dybedahl was taken into custody and transported to the Wabash County Jail where she was processed and released with a notice to appear.
Search For Wanted Person Results In Meth Charge
On 01.30.24 the Wabash County Sheriff's Office went to 931 N. Walnut St. reference a wanted person investigation. Once at the residence, 39-year-old April L. Winter was located. Winter had an active no bond felony warrant of out Lawrence County. Once in custody Winter was found to be in possession of less than 5 grams of methamphetamine. Winter was transported to the Wabash County Jail where she was processed and given and NTA on the meth possession. Winter was then transferred to Lawrence County.
Judge Promises More Sidewalk Improvements In 2024
Years of neglect to Mt. Carmel’s sidewalks have resulted in sidewalk replacement being one of the top priorities to Mayor Joe Judge’s 2024 agenda. During his state of the city address last week, Judge said a lot of sidewalk improvements have been made, but even more will be done this year….
Judge’s state of the city remarks came at the conclusion of last Monday’s City Council meeting.
Mt. Carmel Man Picked Up On FTA Warrant
On 1/30/24, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Ronald Scott Eckiss, age 58, on a Wabash County on a Failure to Appear Warrant for Methamphetamine Delivery after observing him in the 400 block of W 10th Street. During the arrest, the officer located a clear straw containing a white residue on his person. This type of item is commonly used to ingest narcotics. Eckiss was transported to the Wabash County Jail where he was issued the warrant, with no bond, along with a charge of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
Gibson County Man Arrested after Chase and Resisting Troopers
Gibson County – Monday night, January 29, at approximately 7:45 p.m., Trooper Hurley stopped the driver of a 2007 Chevrolet for driving 49 mph on Main Street near River Road in Patoka. The speed limited on Main Street is posted at 25 mph. The driver was identified as Zeberiah Stilwell, 46, of Princeton. Trooper Hurley detected an odor of burnt cannabis inside the vehicle and observed a metal smoking device containing burnt residue on the center console. Trooper Hurley requested another trooper to assist and was preparing to administer field sobriety tests when Stilwell drove away. Stilwell drove east on Spring Street, north on Mill Street, east on CR 400 North, and eventually onto CR 15 East where he drove off the roadway into a field. The chase continued a short distance before Stilwell got stuck in the mud and fled on foot. Trooper Hurley was able to tackle Stilwell, but he continued to resist arrest. Trooper Marsee arrived to assist, but Stilwell continued to resist and fight both troopers for several minutes before finally being taken into custody. Both troopers received minor injuries.
During a search of Stilwell’s vehicle, officers located a loaded .22 caliber handgun with no serial number, three syringes, a spoon with crystal like substance on it, two more smoking devices, a plastic bag with white crystal residue, and a glass vile with crystal like residue. The crystal-like material later field tested positive for methamphetamine.
Stilwell was transported to Deaconess Gibson Hospital in Princeton before being taken to the Gibson County Jail where he is currently being held without bond.
Arrested and Charges:
Zeberiah Stilwell, 46, Princeton, IN
Possession of a Firearm by a Serious Violent Felon, Level 4 Felony
Battery with Bodily Waste, Level 6 Felony
Battery causing Injury, Level 6 Felony
Resisting Law Enforcement, Level 6 Felony
Possession of Meth, Level 6 Felony
Possession of a Syringe, Level 6 Felony
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Class C Misdemeanor
Operating While Intoxicated, Class A Misdemeanor
Assisting Agencies: Princeton Police and Gibson County Sheriff’s Office
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Petersburg man arrested on OWI charge
On January 29, 2024, at 11:02 p.m. Gibson County Deputy Wyatt Hunt conducted a traffic stop on a Blue Ford Fiesta 2014 after observing the vehicle failing to maintain its lane of travel multiple times while on State Road 64. Upon stopping the vehicle on State Road 64 near County Road 180 East Deputy Hunt immediately detected the odor of burnt Marijuana coming from inside the vehicle. At that point Deputy Hunt had the driver 36 year old Jeffrey Johnson of Petersburg step out of the vehicle so he could conduct an OWI investigation. At the conclusion of his investigation Deputy Hunt placed Mr. Johnson into custody and transported him to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated.
Assisting Deputy Hunt in his investigation was Deputies Michael Owens and Bart Wagner. Also assisting in the investigation was Princeton Officers Bryan Archibald, Ben Kiesel, and Zach Strickland.
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Fort Branch woman arrested on battery charge
On January 29, 2024, at 6:10 p.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a 911 report of a disturbance in the 7700 block of South 200 East. Upon arriving Deputy Michael Owens separated all parties and began an investigation into the incident. Once his investigation was complete he placed 19 year old Sarah Chamness into custody and transported her to the Gibson County Jail. Upon arriving at the jail Ms. Chamness was charged with Battery. She remains in custody on a $650 bond.
Assisting Deputy Owens in his investigation was Sgt. Loren Barchett.
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
