On December 28, 2024, at 3:18 p.m. the Gibson County Central Dispatch received a 911 report of a disturbance that was happening on US 41 north of Fort Branch. Communications Officer Hannah Joyce gave deputies an accurate description of the vehicle and its approximate location. A short time later Deputy Eric Powell located the vehicle parked on the side of the highway near County Road 650 South and began investigation into the incident. During the investigation Deputies collected evidence and statements from everyone involved. At the conclusion of the investigation Deputy Powell placed 41 year old Stephen Sokeland of Fort Branch into custody and transported him to the Gibson County Jail. Upon arriving at the Gibson County Jail Mr. Sokeland was charged with Domestic Battery, Possession of Synthetic Drug, Resisting Law Enforcement, and Trafficking With an Inmate.
Arresting Officer: Eric Powell
Assisting Officers: Wyatt Hunt and Quinten Might
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Missouri Man in Custody Following Shooting at Gas Station
Warrick County – An early morning confrontation at a Lynnville gas station has resulted in the arrest of Eli B. Gunden, 28, of Missouri, for multiple felony offenses.
On Monday, December 30th, at approximately 12:01 a.m. EST, area police responded to Casey’s gas station located at 107 IN-68 Lynnville, after a female was shot at. A preliminary investigation by Indiana State Police revealed Eli Gunden drove up to a female, that was inside her car, in the parking lot of Casey’s gas station. Gunden made an unsolicited comment towards the female and the female did not respond. Gunden pointed a handgun from inside his vehicle and fired two rounds into the female’s vehicle. The female was not struck or injured. Gunden fled the scene in a Toyota, SUV.
A short time later, the Dubois County Sheriff’s Office located the suspect vehicle on I-64. Gunden eventually fled and officers began to pursue him. The pursuit continued south on US 231, turned onto State Road 62, and then back north on US 231. Gunden pulled over to the side of the road and refused to exit the vehicle. Multiple agencies from Dubois County, Spencer County, and the Indiana State Police responded. After about a two-hour stand-off. Gunden exited the vehicle without incident. Gunden was transported to the Spencer County Jail where he is being held without bond.
Investigating Officer: Detective Sergeant Brock Werne
Assisting Officers: Indiana State Police, Indiana State Police SWAT, Dubois County Sheriff’s Office, Spencer County Sheriff’s Office, Warrick County Sheriff's Office, Dale Police Department, and Ferdinand Police Department
This incident is still under investigation and charges are pending.
All suspects are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Christmas Day Incident Lands Two In Jail
On 12/25/24, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Phillip W. Farrar, age 56, on a Wabash County Warrant for Failure to Appear on outstanding charges for Methamphetamine Delivery, Felony Domestic Battery, and Unlawful Possession of Weapon by Felon. Farrar received new charges for Obstructing Justice, Aggravated Intimidation, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Also arrested, Frank E. Shoultz, age 48, of Mt. Carmel for Possession of Methamphetamine, Concealing/Aiding a Fugitive, Resisting/Obstructing a Peace Officer, Obstructing Justice, and Aggravated Intimidation. These arrests stemmed from a traffic stop at Southgate Dr. & South Walnut St. on a red Nissan in which Farrar and Shoultz were passengers. As the officer spoke to the driver, he found that Farrar was one of the occupants. Farrar and Shoultz attempted to lie about the identity of Farrar; however, the officer had dealt with him in the past and recognized his identity. Initially, Farrar refused to follow the officer’s orders to exit the vehicle but eventually complied. During his arrest, Farrar made threats of harm towards both officers. When officers attempted to search Shoultz he threw one of his shoes into the ditch and attempted to flee. A struggle ensued resulting in Shoultz being tased before being taken into custody. When Shoultz’s shoe was recovered officers located a black bag inside of it that contained multiple bags of suspected methamphetamine with a total weight of approximately 12 grams. Shoultz also made comments about causing harm to the officers when released from jail. Both men were transported to the Wabash County Jail where they were issued their charges and warrant. It was later learned that Shoultz was on Mandatory Supervised Release from the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC). IDOC was notified of his arrest, resulting in the issuance of an IDOC Warrant. Both men are being held without bond. MCPD was assisted by the Wabash County Sheriff’s Office.
Three Arrested On Alcohol Related Offenses Following Sunday Incident
On 12/22/24, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Gage A. Price, age 20, of Mt. Carmel for Illegal Consumption of Alcohol by Minor and Possession of Alcohol by Minor. Officers also arrested Evan D. Isaac, age 22, of Mt. Carmel for Driving Under the Influence and Sell/Gift/Delivery of Alcohol to a Minor along with Autumn M. Keepes, age 20, of Mt. Carmel for Illegal Consumption of Alcohol by Minor as a result of this incident. Before the arrest, police were called to a residence in the 200 block of East 9th Street regarding an alleged dispute. Once on scene police learned that the dispute occurred between Price and another male subject. The other individual left the scene but the officers found that Price was intoxicated and in possession of alcohol. During this time the other involved party, Evan Isaac drove past the scene. The arresting officer caught up to Isaac and conducted a traffic stop on Isaac’s white Chevrolet in the 300 block of Pear Street. While the officers continued to investigate the dispute allegation, they found evidence suggesting Isaac and his passenger, Autumn Keepes, were intoxicated. After it was determined that no charges would occur from the dispute, they requested Isaac submit to a roadside sobriety check which he agreed to do. During the check, officers found several clues to indicate impairment, resulting in Isaac’s arrest. The officer also confirmed his suspicion as to Keepes being intoxicated resulting in her arrest. Isaac was processed for DUI and then transported to the Wabash County Jail, along with Keepes and Price. All three individuals were later released on Notices to Appear.
Greenup Woman Picked Up On Bench Warrant
On 12/19/24, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Heather R. Davis, age 43, of Greenup, Illinois, on a Crawford County Illinois Bench Warrant. Police learned of the warrant while conducting a stand-by for a property exchange at the Shamrock Motel, between Davis and another individual. Davis was transported to the Wabash County Jail where she was issued the warrant and turned over to corrections staff.
FTA Warrant Results In Arrest Of Mt. Carmel Man
On 12/20/24, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Justin M. Harms, age 33, of Mt. Carmel on a Wabash County Warrant for Failure to Appear. The arresting officer located Harms during a vehicle stop in the 700 block of North Walnut Street. Harms was transported to the Wabash County Jail where he was issued the warrant and turned over to corrections staff.
Mt. Carmel Man Picked Up On White County Warrant
On 12/17/24, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Mark A. Wagner, age 50, of Mt. Carmel on a White County Warrant for Deceptive Practice. Wagner was located at 9th & Market where he was taken into custody and transported to the Wabash County Jail. Wagner was issued the warrant and turned over to corrections staff.
Wanted Patoka man arrested for fleeing law enforcement
On December 26, 2024, at 5:47 p.m. Gibson County law enforcement went to a residence in the 200 block of West Cherry Street in Patoka to serve an arrest warrant on 25 year old Colton Linxwiler of Patoka. While at the residence conducting an investigation into Mr. Linxwiler’s whereabouts Deputies observed Mr. Linxwiler running from the area. After a brief foot pursuit Mr. Linxwiler was taken into custody and booked on the Failure To Appear warrant, and an additional charge of Resisting Law Enforcement.
Arresting Officer: Wes Baumgart.
Assisting Officers: Deputies U.B. Smith and Wyatt Hunt. Also assisting was Princeton Officer David Jones.
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Wanted Owensville woman arrested on new charges
On December 26, 2024, at 8:41 p.m. Gibson County Deputies conducted a traffic stop on a Gold Chevrolet Jimmy for a registration violation near the intersection of Mary Ann Drive and West Street in Patoka. Upon approaching the vehicle Deputy U.B. Smith observed 38 year old Courtney Hale, a wanted Felon inside the vehicle and placed her into custody. During a roadside investigation Ms. Hale, an Owensville residence was found to be in possession of Methamphetamines and Paraphernalia. At the conclusion of the roadside investigation Ms. Hale was transported to the Gibson County Jail where she was charged with the Felony Bond Violation Warrant as well as new charges of Possession of Methamphetamines and Possession of Paraphernalia.
Arresting Officer: Wes Baumgart.
Assisting Officers: Deputies U.B. Smith and Wyatt Hunt. Also assisting was Princeton Officer David Jones.
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Bill aims to reduce state requirements for name changes
By Atmika Iyer
Medill Illinois News Bureau
for Capitol News Illinois
atmikaiyer2025@u.northwestern.edu
SPRINGFIELD — Illinois lawmakers in early January could consider easing requirements for residents to change their names, a move proponents say will reduce risks for victims of domestic abuse, transgender residents and others.
The measure must clear the full Senate in the first week of January to reach Gov. JB Pritzker’s desk, otherwise it must go through the entire legislative process again after a new General Assembly convenes Jan. 8.
The bill, House Bill 5164, would eliminate an existing requirement to publish name changes with a local newspaper. It would also reduce the state residency requirement of people wanting to change their name from six months to three months.
“There are residents in our state who do not feel safe when they are an adoptee; they’re transgender; they’re an immigrant; they’re a survivor of domestic violence, survivor of sexual exploitation and human trafficking,” Sen. Ram Villivalam, the bill’s sponsor and a Chicago Democrat, said in an interview. “So they would like to change their name, and in doing so, we need to remove as many barriers as we can to ensure their health and safety.”
The goal of the bill is to decrease threats to people who have endured domestic abuse, discrimination and other threats to their safety. Villivalam said 24 states have already eased this requirement. Planned Parenthood, Equality Illinois and Brave Space Alliance are pushing for the change.
But the Senate’s top Republican, Sen. John Curran, R-Downers Grove, pushed back against the bill. He argued that impounding the records, meaning restricting access to them, should have a higher threshold.
Individuals are allowed to petition the court to impound records if they believe public disclosure would put them in harm’s way. That process allows individuals to self-attest to hardships and says they may – but are not required to – submit documentation.
“Why make it permissive, rather than a requirement, to attach relevant documents to the petition,” Curran said during a November committee meeting.
But Mike Ziri, the director of public policy at Equality Illinois, said impounded records don’t disappear from court records and are not sealed, but rather are selectively available to the involved parties.
“So it's not a complete sealing. There will still be access to parties and by the clerk, as well,” Ziri said. “In my experience, working with communities, folks who say they've experiencing hardship and heartache, they're not making that up, and they want protection for very good reasons.”
The Republicans who hold a minority in the state senate questioned whether noncitizens with a criminal record could change their names to evade legal consequences as a result of the lowered requirements for a name change.
“Is this creating a loophole for people who are here, who are criminals and part of things involved in the trafficking, involved in all of these nefarious activities that we've been reading about?” Sen. Sue Rezin, R-Morris, said.
Ziri said that the self-attestation was for impounding the court records of name changes, not to get the name change itself. Illinois law states that people on the sex offender registry, arsonists and people on the murderer and violent offender against youth list are barred from seeking name changes. The exceptions are marriage, religious reasons, human trafficking or gender identity. He also said a name change still requires the signature of a judge, and the process can take months.
“Changing your name does not allow you to escape the criminal record. That was legislation that was passed two years ago,” Ziri said. “That's on top of the other requirement state police already have to check the criminal records with the name change granted months later.”
Villivalam said this bill takes Illinois “another step forward” in ensuring the health and safety of residents.
“Now, more than ever – given the rise in hate and discrimination across the board – people you know feel targeted. So the legislative work that we can do to reassure them on their safety and health is part of our job,” Villivalam said in an interview. “As people continue to feel the hate, feel the discrimination, get targeted, we need to continue to take these steps to make sure they feel healthy and safe.”
Atmika Iyer is a graduate student in journalism with Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications, and a Fellow in its Medill Illinois News Bureau working in partnership with Capitol News Illinois.
Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service that distributes state government coverage to hundreds of news outlets statewide. It is funded primarily by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation.
