On December 25, 2024, at 4:13 p.m. Deputies with the Gibson County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the Stoneberger camp located in the 6000 block of South 1825 West near Griffin to investigate a battery that had just occurred. Upon arriving in the area Deputy Eric Powell spoke with the reporting party and collected statements and evidence from them. After speaking with the reporting party Deputy Powell and other law enforcement officers went to the home of 53 year old Theresa Lepinski that is located in the 18000 block of West 725 South. Deputy Powell spoke with Ms. Lepinski and obtained a statement from her about the incident as well. At the conclusion of his investigation Deputy Powell attempted to place Ms. Lepinski into custody she became physically and verbally resistant to law enforcement officers. Ultimately Ms. Lepinski was taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Jail where she was charged with Domestic Battery, Burglary, and Resisting Law Enforcement.
Assisting Deputy Powell in his investigation was Deputies Michael Owens, Wyatt Hunt, and Wes Baumgart.
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Elberfeld woman arrested on multiple charges
On December 24, 2024, at 8:51 p.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a 911 call from the Brass Ring located at 219 South Main Street in reference to a patron who had taken two shots and then passed out. Communications Officer Hannah Joyce dispatched law enforcement as well as Haubstadt Fire and a Gibson County Ambulance to the scene to check the female’s welfare. Upon arriving emergency service personnel found 40 year old Erin Schurmeier of Elberfeld in an extreme state of intoxication. Medics from the Gibson County Ambulance attempted to check Ms. Schurmeier’s vital stats, but during the process she became verbally agitated towards the emergency service personnel. Once Ms. Schurmeier was medically treated law enforcement officers attempted to work with her to get someone to come take her home. Again Ms. Schurmeier was verbally abusive to emergency service personnel. At that point the Brass Ring staff asked for Ms. Schurmeier to leave. At that point Ms. Schurmeier became physical, and was taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Jail. Upon arriving at the Gibson County Jail Ms. Schurmeier was charged with Disorderly Conduct, Public Intoxication, Criminal Trespass, and Resisting Law Enforcement.
Arresting Officer Wes Baumgart was assisted in his investigation by Deputies Wyatt Hunt and Eric Powell. Also on scene were the Gibson County Ambulance Service and Haubstadt Fire Department.
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
ILLINOIS STATE POLICE ARRESTS WILMINGTON MAN IN FATAL CRASH WITH STATE TROOPER
JOLIET – Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation Zone 1 arrested 69-year-old John Fleet of Wilmington, IL for Scott’s Law (Class 4 Felony) after a fatal crash Monday night involving Trooper Clay M. Carns.
Around 9:42 p.m. on Monday, December 23, 2024, Trooper Carns observed debris in a lane on southbound I-55 just north of Blodgett Road near Channahon, and he initiated his emergency lights, pulling over to the right shoulder. Trooper Carns exited his vehicle and was standing in the lane grabbing the debris when a Chevrolet Silverado struck Trooper Carns. The driver of the Chevrolet was identified as John Fleet.
Trooper Carns was taken to St. Joseph Hospital in Joliet, where at approximately 10:45 p.m., he succumbed to his injuries. Fleet was not injured and remained on scene.
Trooper Carns was 35 years old and served 11 years as an officer with ISP. He was assigned to Troop 3. He is survived by his wife Meghan, children Gray and Ally, parents Patti and Danny Carns, and siblings Chad Carns, Erica (Carns) Raciack, and Elyssa Carns.
On December 24, 2024, the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office approved a Scott’s Law charge against Fleet. ISP also issued Fleet multiple Illinois Vehicle Code citations. These are not detainable offenses and Fleet was released.
Already in 2024, ISP has suffered 26 Move Over Law-related crashes with twelve troopers injured and one death. In 2023, ISP had 21 Move Over Law-related crashes with seven troopers injured and suffered 25 crashes in 2022 leaving 13 troopers injured. The Move Over Law, also known as “Scott’s Law” in Illinois, requires all drivers to move over when approaching an emergency vehicle or any vehicle with its emergency or hazard lights activated.
A person who violates the Move Over Law faces a fine of no less than $250 and no more than $10,000 for a first offense. If the violation results in injury to another person, the violator’s driver’s license will be suspended for a mandatory period of anywhere between six months and two years. Additional information can be found at the following link: https://isp.maps.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/340d57cd956c453da2de25af804c268d.
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…
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.
Council Hears Update On New Water Plant Conversion
Mt. Carmel’s new water plant is getting closer to going on line. At Monday’s City Council meeting, water commissioner Tom Meeks says there have been some minor bumps in the road in converting the water from the old plant to the new one…
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….
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….
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.
