On 05.23.25 the Wabash County Sheriff's Office responded to a one vehicle crash. When the deputy arrived, he observed a male sitting on the hood of his vehicle. The male later identified as Jack D. Fouts, 44 of St. Francisville, IL advised he had missed his turn. A roadside investigation into the crash it was determined that Fouts was under the influence of alcohol. Fouts was taken to the Wabash County Jail where he was processed and later released.
Registered Sex Offender Arrested In Bellmont
On 05.19.25 the Wabash County Sheriff's Office had received two complaints of a registered sex offender living in Bellmont, while being registered at another address. Upon a brief investigation it was determined that William S. Franks, 32 of West Salem IL was in fact living at 212 S. Persimmon St. in Bellmont. Franks was taken into custody and transported to the Wabash County Jail. Franks was out on a furlough from White Co. Illinois where he had already pled guilty to another sex crime. Subsequently Franks had a detention hearing in Wabash County Circuit Court and will be held pending trial. Franks was charged with Failure to Register New Address.
Mt. Carmel Man Arrested On Sexual Abuse Charge
On 5/22/25, Donald W. Lloyd, age 70, of Mt. Carmel, was arrested on a Wabash County Warrant for Criminal Sexual Abuse by the Wabash County Sheriff’s Office. The warrant stemmed from an MCPD investigation in April of 2025, where it was alleged that Lloyd had committed an act of sexual conduct while at a residence in Mt. Carmel. The allegation was corroborated when Lloyd sent messages and made phone calls to the alleged victim acknowledging the conduct. Lloyd was taken to the Wabash County Jail, where he was charged and held pending a pre-trial release determination by the court.
Mt. Carmel Man Arrested On Grooming Charge
On 5/15/25, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Dalton L. Compton, age 27, of Mt. Carmel for Grooming following an MCPD investigation into an allegation that Compton had solicited a juvenile under the age of 17 for sexual images while utilizing a social media application. Officers located Compton in the 100 block of E 4th Street, where he was placed under arrest. Compton was taken to the Wabash County Jail, where he was charged and later released on a Notice to Appear. This case remains under investigation.
FTA Warrant Sends Mt. Carmel Man To Jail
On 5/17/25, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Joseph L. Sumner, age 38, of Mt. Carmel, on a Wabash County FTA Warrant. The arresting officer located Sumner at his residence on Southview Drive, where he was taken into custody. Sumner was transported to the Wabash County Jail, where he was issued the warrant and held pending a pre-trial release determination by the court.
Mt. Carmel Man Arrested On FTA Warrant
On 5/20/25, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Nicholas M. Irelan, age 38, of Mt. Carmel, on a Wabash County Felony FTA Warrant. The arresting officer observed Irelan at 3rd Street and Lambert Drive, where he was taken into custody. Irelan was transported to the Wabash County Jail, where he was issued the warrant and held pending a pre-trial release determination by the court.
Mt. Carmel Man Picked Up For DUI While Riding Electric Scooter
On 5/23/25, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Craig A. Leeper, age 37, of Mt. Carmel, for Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol & Drugs following a traffic stop on an electric scooter at 13th & Chestnut Street. Before the stop, the officer observed the scooter run a stop sign at 13th & Mulberry Street. In speaking to the driver, identified as Leeper, the officer found suspicion that he was under the influence of a combination of substances. Leeper agreed to submit to a roadside sobriety check where clues to indicate impairment were observed. Leeper was arrested and transported to the Wabash County Jail for DUI processing. Leeper was later released on a Notice to Appear.
Allendale School Board Notes
The board met tonight for their May monthly session…
Mt. Carmel Man Sentenced To 5 1/2 Years In DOC On Agg. Battery Charge
Kelli Storckman, Wabash County State’s Attorney, reports that on May 20, 2025, Anthony S. Harms, a 41-year-old Mt. Carmel, Illinois man, was sentenced to 5 years and 6 months in the Department of Corrections, to be followed by 6 months of mandatory supervised release by the Honorable Circuit Judge William C. Hudson in Wabash County Circuit Court.
State’s Attorney Storckman advises that the Defendant was charged on September 29, 2022, with Aggravated Battery, a Class 3 Felony, following a Mt. Carmel Police Department investigation into a physical altercation occurring at a Pear Street, Mt. Carmel residence. Information gathered during the investigation revealed that Harms had struck an adult male in the face causing serious injury to the victim. Harms has been in the custody of Indiana DOC since 2022 on unrelated charges.
Francisco man arrested on drug and neglect charges
On May 20, 2025, at 4:52 p.m. Deputies with the Gibson County Sheriff’s Office served a search warrant on the Michael B. Hill residence located at 6036 E 500 North near Wheeling, Indiana. Upon arriving at the residence a search of the residence and interviews of all individuals were conducted by law enforcement officers. At the conclusion of the investigation 44-year-old Michael B. Hill was taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Detention Center. Upon arriving at the detention center Mr. Hill was charged with Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Methamphetamines, and Neglect of a Defendant.
Arresting Officer Eric Powell was assisted by multiple Deputies with the Gibson 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.
