Montgomery Man Arrested After Vehicle Chase

Daviess County –  Monday evening, December 23, 2024, at approximately 6:10 p.m., Indiana State Police Trooper Austin Collins initiated a traffic stop on a 2009 Chevrolet SUV near Cannelburg for traveling 69-mph in a 45-mph zone and a non-working taillight. The driver of the Chevrolet was identified as Kenneth Evinger. While speaking to Evinger, Trooper Collins recognized indicators of criminal activity. Trooper Collins ordered Evinger to exit the vehicle and Evinger refused. While Trooper Collins was waiting for other officers to assist, Evinger sped from the scene and Trooper Collins began to pursue. During the pursuit, Evinger reached speeds near 100-mph . The chase continued onto rural county roads in Daviess County, where the Chevrolet left the roadway, lost a tire, and eventually got stuck in a ditch. Evinger fled on foot into a wooded area. Officers with the Daviess County Sheriff’s Office, Dubois County Sheriff’s Office, and Pike County Sheriff’s Office arrived to assist in searching for Evinger. Officers located Evinger hiding in the woods with the assistance of a K-9 and drones. Evinger was arrested and transported to the Daviess County Jail.

While officers were searching for Evinger, Troopers went to Evinger’s residence. Troopers observed more signs of criminal activity at the residence and applied for a search warrant. A search warrant was issued through the Daviess County Court for Evinger’s residence. Inside the residence Troopers located approximately nine grams of suspected methamphetamine, over six pounds of suspected marijuana, controlled substances, and paraphernalia.

This was a coordinated effort by multiple agencies to locate a suspect safely.

Arrested and Charges:

  • Kenneth G. Evinger, 47, Montgomery, IN.

                   Dealing Methamphetamine – Level 3 Felony
                   Possession of Methamphetamine – Level 5 Felony
                   Possession of a Controlled Substance (3 Counts) – Level 6 Felony
                   Resisting Law Enforcement (Vehicle) – Level 6 Felony
                   Maintaining a Common Nuisance – Level 6 Felony
                   Dealing Marijuana – Level 6 Felony
                   Possession of Marijuana – Level 6 Felony
                   Resisting Law Enforcement – Class A Misdemeanor
                   Possession of Paraphernalia – Class A Misdemeanor
                   Leaving the Scene of a Property Damage Crash – Class B Misdemeanor
                   Criminal Recklessness – Class B Misdemeanor

Arresting Officer - Trooper Austin Collins
Assisting Officers – Lieutenant Jason Allen, Sergeant John Davis, Trooper Teresa Vaal, Trooper Kayla Denk-Mundy, and Trooper Blake Leary
Assisting Agencies – Daviess County Sheriff’s Office, Dubois County Sheriff’s Office, and Pike 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. 

Princeton man arrested for public intoxication

On December 22, 2024, at 5:24 p.m. Gibson County Deputy Eric Powell was in the lobby of the Gibson County Sheriff’s Office where he observed a man outside the building yelling at individuals entering the Gibson County Community Corrections Center.  While watching the individual Deputy Powell then observed the individual acting erratically by throwing their wallet on the ground and then running into the roadway.  At that point Deputy Powell approached the individual identifying him as 46 year old Eric Hall of Princeton.  While speaking with Mr. Hall Deputy Powell believed that he was under the influence of an unknown intoxicant.  At that point he began an investigation into the incident that resulted in Mr. Hall being taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Public Intoxication. 
 
Assisting Deputy Powell in his investigation was Deputy Bart Wagner and Princeton Officer Bryce Jutzi.
 
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Closings Soon On River Camp Sales

If you were one of the successful bidders in the recent river camp auction in Mt. Carmel, city attorney Derek McCullough says the closings on those lots should happen soon…

DEREK MCCULLOUGH RIVER LOTS 12 23 24

At Monday’s city council meeting, commissioners approved ordinances that formally authorized the sale of the lots to the successful bidders. The 14 lots brought in $141,900 or $60,000 an acre. $100,000 of that money was placed in the revenue fund to help pay for the city pool.

Shop With Cop, Fireman, EMT Benefits More Than 100 Local Kids

Christmas will be brighter for more than 100 Wabash County kids thanks to this year’s Shop With A Cop, Fireman, EMT program. Mt. Carmel Police Chief Mike McWilliams told the city council yesterday that Saturday’s shopping event at Princeton’s Walmart resulted in a lot of smiling faces….

MIKE MCWILLIAMS SHOP 2024

The night of lights in Mt. Carmel surpassed their $3,000 goal to add to the money available to this past weekend’s shopping day. McWilliams said the growth of the program has been impressive….

MIKE MCWILLIAMS SHOP 2024 #2

Photo Credit: MCFD Facebook Page

Oakland City man arrested on DUI charge

On December 20, 2024, at 2:34 a.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a 911 report of a suspicious vehicle accelerating its engine for a long period of time on County Road 450 South east of County Road 750 East.  Upon arriving in the area Deputies located the vehicle, and upon detecting the odor of an alcoholic beverage on the driver Deputy Wesley Baumgart began a roadside DUI investigation.  At the conclusion of his investigation Deputy Baumgart placed 28 year old Theron Allen of Oakland City 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 were Deputies Wyatt Hunt and Levi Sims.  Also assisting in the investigation was Deputy Michael McGregor.
 
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Fort Branch man arrested for DUI

On December 20, 2024, at 11:18 p.m. Gibson County Deputy Levi Sims conducted a traffic stop on Coal Mine Road near County Road 100 West after observing a Blue 2020 Nissan Maxima failing to maintain its lane of travel while traveling westbound.  Upon approaching the vehicle Deputy Sims immediately detected the odor of alcohol coming from inside the vehicle.  At that point Deputy Sims began a roadside DUI investigation.  At the conclusion of his investigation he placed 59 year old Larry Powell of Fort Branch into custody and transported him to the Gibson County Jail.  Upon arriving at the jail Mr. Powell was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated. 
 
Deputy Sims was assisted in his investigation by Deputies Wes Baumgart and Wyatt Hunt of the Gibson County Sheriff’s Office.  Also assisting in the investigation was Haubstadt Officer Bryan Munnier.
 
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 DUI charge

On December 19, 2024, at 10:43 p.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a 911 call of a suspicious vehicle stopped in a grassy field between Vail Estates apartments and the Deaconess Clinic located on South Vail Street in Princeton.  Upon arriving on scene officers located a Black 2021 GMC Sierra still in drive, but stopped with the driver passed out behind the wheel.  At that point Officer made awoke the driver, the vehicle was made safe and a DUI investigation was conducted.  At the conclusion of the investigation 45 year old Chad Cundiff of Otwell was taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated- Endangerment (with a refusal, Criminal Mischief, and Operating a Vehicle with an Open Alcoholic Beverage Container. 
 
Arresting Officer:  Deputy Bates
Assisting Officers: Princeton Sgt. Ben Kiesel and Officer Nicholas Rainey  
 
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Two Houston Men Sentenced to Federal Prison for Burglarizing Pharmacies in Southern Illinois, Missouri

BENTON, Ill. – A district court judge sentenced two Houston, Texas, men to federal prison for burglarizing pharmacies of controlled substances in Casey, Illinois, and Poplar Bluff, Missouri.

McKindley V. Allen, 32, and DaLeon J. Fontennet, 28, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary involving controlled substances, conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and attempted burglary involving controlled substances.

Both defendants were sentenced to 100 months’ imprisonment.

“Damaging and burglarizing locally-owned pharmacies that provide vital healthcare services impair rural communities, and leave residents and employees without reliable support,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. “The defendants were only concerned with lining their own pockets with controlled substances and drug proceeds and had no regard for the destruction left for the communities to clean up.”

According to court documents, Allen and Fontennet unlawfully entered a pharmacy in Casey with intent to steal controlled substances in December 2023 by using a Sawzall to cut through the exterior wall. In January, the pair burglarized a pharmacy in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, and took more than 16,000 pills. Fontennet admitted to also burglarizing a pharmacy in Murphysboro, Illinois.

“DEA has seen a surge in burglaries of controlled substances at independent, non-chain pharmacies, which rips at the core of communities across this country” said Assistant Special Agent in Charge Joseph Dixon, head of Drug Enforcement Administration investigations in southern Illinois. “With the sentencing of these two criminals, DEA demonstrates its steadfast commitment to the American public and sends a clear message to those who engage in these types of egregious acts.”

After burglarizing the pharmacies, Allen admitted to conspiring with others to distribute the stolen oxycodone, hydrocodone and morphine.

DEA St. Louis led the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Hudson prosecuted the case.

Mt. Carmel City Council Agenda

AGENDA

CITY OF MOUNT CARMEL

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

Monday, December 23, 2024 at 4:00 pm

· Call to Order

o Pledge of Allegiance

o Roll Call

· Approve Minutes

o Minutes of meeting held on 12/09/2024.

· Visitors (topic discussed by visitor(s) is limited to 5 minutes)

· Reports and Communications

o Mayor Judge

o Commissioner Meador Streets, Cemeteries and Parks

o Commissioner Ikemire Finance and Senior Citizens

o Commissioner Meeks Water and Sewer

o Commissioner Zimmerman Fire, Health & Safety, City Hall and Garbage

· Staff Reports

o Ryan Turner Derek McCullough Luis Garcia

o Michael McWilliams Francis Speth Mike Gidcumb

o WEMA Representative

New Business

o Consent Agenda

§ Pay all bills by providing proper signatures.

o Removal of items from the Consent Agenda

o Ordinance 2118-Authorizing sale of 2.67 acres of surplus property

o Ordinance 2119-Authorizing sale of 2.67 acres of surplus property to AEA

o Ordinance 2120-Amending Ordinance 967 on contractor registration fees

o Ordinance 2121Amending Chapter 6, building and building regulations fees

o Old Business-

o Executive Session-

o Motion to Adjourn-

o Liquor Control Meeting-Immediately after the council hearing= Yearly Liquor License for all establishments.