On December 13, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a report of a single vehicle accident in the 6500 block of South 1050 West. Deputies were advised by Communications Officer James Griswold that a truck had left the roadway and ran into some trees. Upon arriving officers found the driver 26 year old Alberto Alvarado Paz in an extreme state of intoxication. At that point Deputy Bryan Small began a roadside investigation into the incident. Once the investigation was completed Mr. Paz was transported to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated/ Endangerment and Operator Never Licensed.
Assisting Deputy Small in his investigation was Sgt. Roger Ballard, Deputy Jennifer Loesch, Special Deputy Jim Tucker, Special Deputy Chuck Frederick, Conservation Officer Matt Clark, and Jail Officer Pamela Barbosa.
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Princeton man arrested for threatening school bus driver
On December 13, 2024, at 4:22 p.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a 911 complaint of threats being made to a South Gibson School bus driver by a landowner. Deputy Powell was dispatched to the call and spoke to the driver who advised that they were on County Road 350 South heading westbound from US 41 when they observed a train blocking the tracks. The driver, who was alone on the bus and without any students found an area where they could turn the bus around safely and find another route of travel. However upon attempting to turn around in an open lot 75 year old Michael DeClue of Princeton ran out to the marked South Gibson School bus and confronted the driver. The bus driver alleged that Mr. DeClue made threats to harm the bus driver for driving on his property. The bus driver apologized and attempted to leave when Mr. DeClue forced the doors open on the bus and continued to make threats. The bus driver was able to get Mr. DeClue out of the bus and attempted to leave, but was prohibited from leaving by Mr. DeClue as he stood in the way of the bus. At this point the driver called 911 and Mr. DeClue moved out of the way.
Multiple Officers were dispatched to the area and Deputy Eric Powell attempted to speak with Mr. DeClue about the incident. However after multiple attempts to de escalate the situation Mr. Declue was taken into custody During a search incident to lawful arrest a .22 caliber revolver was found on his person.
Mr. DeClue was transported to the Gibson County Jail where he was arrested for Intimidation, Resisting Law Enforcement, and Confinement.
*** NO STUDENTS WERE ON THE BUS AT THE TIME OF THIS INCIDENT.***
Bicknell man arrested on OWI charge
On December 14, 2024, at 3:08 a.m. Gibson County Deputies Michael Bates and Levi Sims observed a vehicle speeding on US 41 near County Road 600 South. Upon stopping the vehicle, a Silver 2024 Honda Civic Deputy Bates approached the vehicle and detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from the driver 23 year old Michael Smith of Bicknell. At that point Deputy Bates began a roadside DUI investigation. Once the investigation was completed Mr. Smith was placed into custody and transported to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated.
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Princeton man arrested on intimidation and gun charges
On December 12, 2024, the Gibson County Sheriff’s Office received a report of Intimidation of a juvenile by an adult male. Sgt. Roger Ballard spoke with the reporting party and began an investigation into the incident by collecting statements and evidence. During the investigation Sgt. Ballard applied for and received a search warrant of 19 year old Tommy C. Payne’s residence in the 600 block of North Race Street. Sgt. Ballard, with the assistance of the Gibson County Sheriff’s Office and Princeton Police Department served the search warrant on Mr. Payne and continued their investigation. While serving the search warrant two handguns were found, one of which was modified with what is commonly referred to as a Glock Switch which makes the weapon fully automatic. Once the residence had been searched Mr. Payne was taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with:
2 counts of Unlawful Carrying of a Handgun, a Class A Misdemeanor
2 counts of Unlawful Possession of a Handgun by a Dangerous Person, a Level 6 Felony
Possession of a Machine Gun, a Level 5 Felony
Intimidation- Threat of a Forcible Felony, a Level 6 Felony
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Evansville man arrested on DUI charge
On December 14, 2024, AT 10:56 p.m. Gibson County Deputy Wes Baumgart observed a Black Toyota Rav Four run a stop sign at the intersection of County Road 1275 S and County Road 25 West. Upon stopping the vehicle on County Road 25 West Deputy Baumgart detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from the driver 26 year old Sam Oliver of Evansville. At that point Deputy Baumgart began a roadside DUI investigation. At the conclusion of that investigation he placed Mr. Oliver into custody and transported him to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated.
Assisting Deputy Baumgart in his investigation was Deputies Wyatt Hunt and Michael Owens. Also assisting were sergeants John Fischer and Loren Barchett.
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Mount Carmel man arrested for OWI
On December 13, 2024, at 04:38 a.m. Gibson County Deputy Michael Bates conducted a traffic stop in the Casey’s parking lot located at 810 E. Park Street in Fort Branch after observing the Blue Ford vehicle speeding on US 41 near County Road 650 South. Upon approaching the vehicle Deputy Bates detected the odor of Marijuana coming from inside the vehicle. At that point Deputy Bates began a roadside investigation where standard field sobriety tests were administered. At the conclusion of his investigation he placed the driver 33 year old Joshua O’Daniel of Mount Carmel into custody and transported him to the Gibson County Jail. Upon arriving at the Jail Mr. O’Daniel was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated, Possession of Marijuana, and Possession of Paraphernalia.
Assisting Deputy Bates in his investigation was Deputy Levi Sims.
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Pre-Trial Hearing For Accused Sex Offender
A 23 year old Mt. Carmel charged with criminal sexual assault was back in Wabash County Circuit Court yesterday as preparations continue for his February jury trial. Michael Haase was arrested in July 2022 by Mt. Carmel Police after a warrant was issued for his arrest. The warrant was the result of a two and half month investigation that began when Wabash County Sheriff Derek Morgan’s office received a report alleging Haase committed criminal sexual assault. During a pre-trial yesterday, state’s attorney Kelli Storckman and defense attorney T. J. Matthes argued over motions ahead of the February 3rd trial. Judge Denton Aud set a final pre-trial hearing for January 9th at which time he will rule on motions filed by Storckman regarding potential testimony and evidence. Following his arrest, Haase posted $10,000 cash bond and has been free ever since.
Deputy's Preliminary Hearing Delayed Again
For the second straight month, the preliminary hearing for former Wabash County Sheriff’s Deputy Chase Cheadle has been postponed. The latest delay stems from the continued health complications afflicting special prosecutor Brian Towne. In court yesterday, defense attorney Jonathan Turpin told Judge Denton Aud that Towne is still suffering from the same health issues that caused last month’s delay in the preliminary hearing. Yesterday, Cheadle waived his right to a prompt preliminary hearing and is now due back in court on January 23rd. Cheadle, who was the sheriff’s department’s canine handler, faces four charges of official misconduct, 1 count of Theft, 1 count of Cruelty to animals, and 2 counts of Animal owner duties. Five of the eight charges are felonies. Cheadle found Kiki unresponsive in July and was arrested following an investigation. He resigned from the sheriff’s department on August 8th.