On 2/02/24, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Kristina M. Randall, age 30, of Albion on an Edwards County No Bond Warrant following a traffic stop in the 1400 block of W 3rd Street. The arresting officer observed a female he knew to have an active warrant inside the vehicle so a traffic stop was conducted. Randall acknowledged the warrant and was placed under arrest. Randall was transported to the Wabash County Jail, issued her warrant, and held pending extradition back to Edwards County.
Pair Arrested Following Traffic Stop
On 2/08/24, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Andy Anderson, age 39, of Princeton, Indiana for Possession of a Hypodermic Syringe/Needle and Emily C. Hanlon, age 39, of Mt. Carmel for Possession of a Controlled Substance following a traffic stop on a 1993 Green Chevrolet truck in the 1500 block of West 3rd Street. Ofc. Hopper and his K-9 Eleven responded to the scene and conducted a free air narcotics sniff around the exterior of the vehicle, which resulted in a positive alert. A subsequent search led to officers locating a hypodermic needle in Anderson’s boot. Furthermore, officers located (2) Clonazepam pills inside Hanlon’s backpack. Clonazepam is a Schedule IV narcotic requiring a physician’s prescription, which she admittedly did not possess. Both were transported to the Wabash County Jail where they were processed and later released on a Notice to Appear.
Animal Control Investigation leads to the Arrest of all Three Warrick County Commissioners
Warrick County – The Warrick County Animal Control investigation into misappropriated funds by Indiana State Police has resulted in the arrest of all three Warrick County Commissioners.
After the arrest of Danielle Barnes on December 13, 2023, Indiana State Police Detectives Werne and Stinson received information that Warrick County Commissioner’s Terry Phillippe, Dan Saylor, and Robert Johnson had no knowledge of Barnes’ non-profit organization, Warrick Animal Guardian (WAG), or any documents concerning WAG. Barnes was operating Warrick Animal Guardian (WAG) while employed as a supervisor at Warrick County Animal Control.
During the investigation, detectives revealed on January 9, 2023, a donation of a mobile trailer to Warrick County Animal Control from WAG was accepted by the commissioners. On February 1, 2024, Warrick County Commissioners released a timeline of events during a public news conference, which stated between December 1-4, 2023, the commissioners received limited documentation from the health department regarding Barnes’ conduct. Detectives later learned the commissioners had allegedly been investigating Barnes for months.
During the summer of 2023, the Warrick County Health Department had closed a swimming pool and several restaurants that failed health inspections. Warrick County Commissioners allegedly instructed the health department to open the pool and restaurants. The owners of the pool and restaurants were allegedly friends and business associates of the commissioners. The health department ignored their orders. The health department supervisor was later terminated by the commissioners for allegedly not opening the restaurants, pool, and cooperating with Indiana State Police during the investigation pertaining to the misappropriated funds at the Warrick County Animal Shelter.
After reviewing the information gathered by Indiana State Police, Perry County Prosecutor Samantha Hurst filed criminal charges on Terry Phillippe, Dan Saylor, and Robert Johnson. Arrest warrants were issued this morning. All three Warrick County Commissioners were arrested at 12:30 this afternoon after they turned themselves in at the Warrick County Jail. They were released after posting bond.
Arrested and Charges:
Terry Phillippe, 54, Boonville, IN
Perjury, Level 6 Felony
Official Misconduct, Level 6 Felony
False Informing, Class A Misdemeanor
Dan Saylor, 59, Newburgh, IN
Robert Johnson, Jr, 62, Tennyson, IN
Official Misconduct, Level 6 Felony
False Informing, Class A Misdemeanor
This is an ongoing investigation, and no further information will be released at this time.
Investigating Officers: Detective Sergeant Brock Werne, Detective Patrick Stinson, and Detective Toni Walden, Indiana State Police
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Mayor To Host Monthly Community Meetings
Starting this month, Mayor Joe Judge wants to meet personally with local residents…..
Judge said the Mayor’s Night will be a continuation is his effort to listen and learn from city residents just as he has done during his 12 years on the city council and into his second term as mayor.
Cooper Named District 7 Conservation Officer of the Year (Knox County)
Indiana Conservation Officer Shane Cooper, who serves Knox County, has been selected as 2023 District 7 Officer of the year.
Cooper grew up in Knox County and has served as a conservation officer since 2013. He attended Vincennes University and then the University of Southern Indiana, majoring in conservation law and sociology.
In addition to his duties as a field officer, he serves as a sonar operator, field training officer, and public safety diver.
District 7 includes Daviess, Dubois, Gibson, Knox, Martin, Pike, Posey, Spencer, Vanderburgh, and Warrick counties.
The district award puts Cooper in the running for the Pitzer Award, which is presented to the top overall conservation officer in the state and is selected from the 10 district winners.
The Pitzer Award is named after Conservation Officer James D. Pitzer, who was fatally shot while investigating illegal hunting activity on Jan. 2, 1961, in Jay County
City Exploring Solar Options For Sewer Plant
Last year, the Mt. Carmel City Council voted to move forward with a Pennsylvania company’s plans to construct a solar energy system on city property at the waste water treatment plant. But now, Mayor Joe Judge says it’s a good idea for the city to explore the option of owning the system…
At Monday’s City Council meeting, commissioners heard from Brad Morton of Morton Solar on ways the city council could benefit by taking ownership of the energy system. At the top of that list are the various incentives offered at the state and federal levels that could offset the vast majority of the costs. City attorney Derek McCullough said there are various aspects of the proposed contract with Keystone Energy that could prove problematic for the city in the future should incentives and tax breaks go away.
Keensburg Man Arrested On Meth Possession Charge
On 02.05.24 at approximately 8:49 p.m. a Wabash County Sheriff's Deputy made a traffic stop in the 400 Block of Walnut St., Mt. Carmel for improper lane usage. The deputy had observed the 1995 Dodge Dakota, driven by David G. Tapia, 57, of Keensburg, cross the dividing line and subsequently into the opposite lane of traffic. Once the deputy made contact with Tapia it was found that tapia was driving on a suspended driver's license. The deputy then requested the assistance of MCPD Officer Hopper and K9 Eleven to do a free air narcotics sniff of the vehicle. K9 Eleven alerted on the Tapia vehicle. A small clear plastic baggie was found in the headliner of the vehicle above the driver's seat. Tapia was taken into custody and transported to the Wabash County Jail where he was processed for possession of methamphetamine less than 5 grams and driving suspended. Tapia was released with a notice to appear.
Mt. Carmel Man Arrested Twice In Two Days
On 02.05.4 at 7:05 a.m. the Wabash County Sheriff's Office responded to 11651 E. 920 Ln., Mt. Carmel reference a domestic in progress. Once they deputy arrived, he determined a domestic battery had occurred. The parties were separated upon his arrival. The incident concluded with both, James A. Mahan, 32 of Mt. Carmel and Roberta J. Mahan, 23 of Mt. Carmel being taken into custody. Both were released later in the day with a notice to appear.
On 02.06.24 the Wabash County Sheriff's Office responded to 11638 E. 920 Ln. Mt. Carmel reference a welfare check and to investigate an additional threat. When the deputy arrived on scene, he found everything was alright, but the subject had been making threats to others throughout the day. Once evidence was gathered it was determined a threat had been made with an electronic device. 32-year-old James A. Mahan made his way back to the Wabash County Jail on an assault charge. Mahan is currently being held in the jail for a future detention hearing.
Crash Results In Drug Charge For Patoka Man
On February 5, 2024, at 8:37 p.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a 911 report of an accident on US 41 near County Road 550 South. Upon arriving Deputies Wyatt Hunt and Michael Owens began an investigation into the accident. While walking through the scene Deputy Owens observed a container that was labeled Vivazen. Upon a closer inspection of the container Deputy Owens read that the contents included Kratom an illegal controlled substance in Indiana. Upon bringing that evidence to Deputy Hunt an investigation was conducted that lead to the arrest of 30 year old Dakota McKannan of Patoka for Possession of a Schedule I drug.
The accident between a 2018 Hyundai Elantra driven by Mr. McKannan and a 2005 Nissan Altima is still under investigation at this time.
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
2nd Tax Deadline Quickly Approaching
83% of Wabash County property taxes have been collected according to treasurer Angela Broster. She reported to county commissioners yesterday that approximately $11.2 million has been collected so far. 75% of the tax levy was in the first distribution paid to local taxing bodies on January 19th. The second installment of property taxes is due Friday, February 16th. Local banks can only collect on the second installment. Broster said if you mail in your second installment, that payment must be postmarked on or before the 16th to not be considered late to avoid a penalty charge. Currently, a 1.5% penalty is being added to delinquent first installment payments. She said the second distribution to taxing districts will be mailed the week of February 20th.