Mt. Carmel Man Arrested On Child Porn & Grooming Charges

On 7/31/25, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Dalton L. Compton, age 27, of Mt. Carmel, on a Wabash County Warrant for Child Pornography and Grooming.  The warrant was a result of an MCPD investigation that originally began in May 2025, where MCPD arrested Mr. Compton with Grooming.  As the grooming investigation continued, the officer obtained a search warrant for Compton’s phone and discovered evidence of suspected child pornography on the device. The investigation was reviewed by Wabash County State’s Attorney Kelli Storckman, who then formally requested an arrest warrant for the above charges.  MCPD officers located Compton at his home in the 200 block of W 4th Street, where he was taken into custody.  Compton was transported to the Wabash County Jail, where he was issued the warrant and held pending a pre-trial release determination by the court.

Lane closures planned for I-64 in Gibson and Vanderburgh Counties

GIBSON/VANDERBURGH COUNTY Ind. – The Indiana Department of Transportation announces alternating lane closures for I-64 in Gibson and Vanderburgh Counties.

Beginning on or around Tuesday, August 5, crews will begin alternating lane closures on I-64 in Gibson and Vanderburgh Counties. These lane closures will occur between the 25 mile marker and 30 mile marker, near the U.S. 41 interchange and the I-69 interchange.

Alternating lane closure will allow for pavement patching operations. Work will occur between 5:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. daily. Work will begin in the westbound lanes, followed by eastbound lanes. One lane of traffic will remain open during lane closures.

Work is anticipated to take a week to complete, depending on the weather. INDOT urges drivers to slow down and stay alert in work zones.

Health Department Receives Glowing Review Of Grants Handling

Over the last couple of years, the Wabash County Health Department has been subjected to criticism from county commissioner Rob Dean on how finances are handled. In 2023, health board member Darrel Thompson joined Dean in criticizing the health department, specifically it’s handling of grant money. Well now a recently completed review has vindicated the health department.

At last Monday’s county board meeting, health department administrator Judy Wissel said the fiscal administrative review was conducted by the Department of Human Services…

In fact, the Department of Human Services stated the health department does a “great job” with the grant monies they receive. Dean was not at last Monday’s meeting.

Owensville woman arrested for OWI

On July 27, 2025, at 3:15 a.m., Gibson County Deputy Michael Bates conducted a traffic stop on a Black 2010 Chevy Impala for failing to maintain their lane of travel multiple times on County Road 100 North.  Upon conducting the stop on County Road 100 North near County Road 500 West Deputy Bates identified the driver as 38-year-old Courtney Hale of Owensville.  While speaking with Ms. Hale, Deputy Bates detected multiple clues that Ms. Hale was under the influence of an unknown intoxicant.  At that point Deputy Bates began a roadside DUI investigation that resulted in Ms. Hale being taken into custody.  Ms. Hale was transported to the Gibson County Detention Center where she was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated and Resisting Law Enforcement. 
 
Sgt. John Fischer and Princeton Sgt. Ben Kiesel assisted Deputy Bates in his investigation. 
 
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Five drug dealers sentenced to federal prison in Centralia-area crackdown

BENTON, Ill. – Five drug dealers active in Fayette, Jefferson and Marion counties were sentenced to federal prison for distributing cocaine, meth or fentanyl in southern Illinois.

Jason Barnes, 53, of Odin, Illinois, pleaded guilty to three counts of distribution of meth and one count of possession with intent to distribute meth. He was sentenced to 210 months for selling meth on multiple occasions in 2019 and 2020.

Marvelous Burnett, 46, of Mount Vernon, Illinois, pleaded guilty to 16 counts of distribution of a controlled substance: cocaine and one count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance: cocaine. He was sentenced to 162 months for selling cocaine through the Centralia, Vandalia and Mount Vernon area in 2023 and 2024.

Kenneth Thornton, 61, of Centralia, Illinois, pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of fentanyl. He was sentenced to 78 months for selling more than a gram of fentanyl in December 2023. 

David Barnes, 37, of Centralia, Illinois, pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of a controlled substance: cocaine. He was sentenced to 72 months for distributing a half ounce of cocaine during a controlled buy in February 2023.

Karie Holstlaw, 40, of Salem, Illinois, pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of a controlled substance: meth, and she was sentenced to 57 months for selling eight grams during a controlled buy in November 2022.

“These sentences send a clear message: drug trafficking in southern Illinois will not be tolerated,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft. “Thanks to the efforts of law enforcement, five fewer drug dealers are fueling addiction and violence in the Centralia area. Drug dealing is a cancer that causes all sorts of societal harm, and we will continue to use all our federal powers to protect communities."

“These sentencings further prove that the FBI Springfield's Southern Illinois TOC-West Task Force will not tolerate the continued flow of drugs in southern Illinois,” said FBI Springfield Special Agent in Charge Christopher J. S. Johnson. “Together with our local partners, we remain relentless in our mission to identify and arrest those who bring these substances into our community.”

The FBI Springfield Field Office’s Southern Illinois TOC-West Task Force and the Centralia Police Department contributed to the investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Laura Reppert, Dan Kapsak and Dan Carraway represented the U.S. for the prosecutions.

Iowa man arrested on drug charges

On July 25, 2025, at 8:17 p.m. Gibson County Deputy Wyatt Hunt approached a male in a Red 1996 Dodge Ram Truck as it was parked near the Oakland City Old Lake located around the 12000 block of East 100 South.  While speaking with the driver, 51-year-old Christopher Darnell of Hancock, Iowa Deputy Hunt observed a firearm laying in the seat as well as the smell of burnt Marijuana.  At that point Deputy Hunt began a drug investigation that resulted in the seizure of Methamphetamines.  Once the inquire was finished Mr. Darnell was placed into custody and transported to the Gibson County Detention Center.  Upon arriving at the Detention Center, He was charged with Possession of Methamphetamines, Possession of Paraphernalia, and Possession of Marijuana. 
 
Oakland City Officers Ty Schmittler and John Pace assisted Deputy Hunt in his investigation. 
 
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Allendale man arrested for OWI

On July 26, 2025, at 11:06 p.m. Gibson County Deputy Michael Bates conducted a traffic stop on a White Ford Focus for speeding on US 41 near County Road 600 South.  Upon turning on the vehicle Deputy Bates followed the vehicle to County Road 350 South where the vehicle turned and eventually stopped.  Upon approaching the vehicle Deputy Bates detected multiple clues that the driver, 22-year-old Brady Decker of Allendale, was under the influence of alcohol.  At that point Deputy Bates began a roadside DUI investigation that resulted in Mr. Decker being placed into custody and transported to the Gibson County Detention Center.  Upon arriving at the Detention Center Mr. Decker was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated/ Refusal. 
 
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.