Princeton man sentenced in child porn case

Offender:

Noah Chappell
35 year old Male
Princeton, IN

Summary of Investigation:
In October of 2024, members of the Gibson County Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force began investigating an online National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) report.  This report provided information into the online activities of Noah Chappell, which included sending and receiving Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM). Detectives were able to confirm information received through the report through their investigation, and Detective Neftali Padilla of the Princeton Police Department served a search warrant for the electronics of Noah Chappell and conducted an interview with him. During this interview Noah Chappell, admitted to receiving CSAM through the messenger application Telegram, as well as possessing it on a hard drive.


Detective Jennifer Loesch of the Gibson County Sheriff’s Office continued the investigation, and a search of Noah Chappell’s electronic devices uncovered dozens of videos and photographs depicting the sexual abuse of minors.  In June of 2025 Noah Chappell was arrested for Possession of Child Pornography, and on August 21st, 2025, Noah Chappell pleaded guilty to the crime.

Noah Chappell was sentenced on three Level 5 felony counts of Possession of Child Pornography for a total of 9 years in the Indiana Department of Corrections with 3 years suspended to probation. Chappell will be required to register as a sex offender for life.

All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Princeton man sentenced in child pornography case

Offender:

Noah Chappell
35 year old Male
Princeton, IN

Summary of Investigation:
In October of 2024, members of the Gibson County Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force began investigating an online National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) report.  This report provided information into the online activities of Noah Chappell, which included sending and receiving Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM). Detectives were able to confirm information received through the report through their investigation, and Detective Neftali Padilla of the Princeton Police Department served a search warrant for the electronics of Noah Chappell and conducted an interview with him. During this interview Noah Chappell, admitted to receiving CSAM through the messenger application Telegram, as well as possessing it on a hard drive.


Detective Jennifer Loesch of the Gibson County Sheriff’s Office continued the investigation, and a search of Noah Chappell’s electronic devices uncovered dozens of videos and photographs depicting the sexual abuse of minors.  In June of 2025 Noah Chappell was arrested for Possession of Child Pornography, and on August 21st, 2025, Noah Chappell pleaded guilty to the crime.

Noah Chappell was sentenced on three Level 5 felony counts of Possession of Child Pornography for a total of 9 years in the Indiana Department of Corrections with 3 years suspended to probation. Chappell will be required to register as a sex offender for life.

All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Evansville man arrested for OWI

On August 21, 2025, at 4:17 p.m. Gibson County Deputy Wyatt Hunt conducted a traffic stop on a Silver Ford Taurus for speeding on US 41 near County Road 800 South. Upon approaching the vehicle Deputy Hunt detected multiple clues that the driver 38- year-old Steve McCulland of Evansville may be under the influence of an unknown intoxicant. At that point Deputy Hunt began a roadside OWI investigation that resulted in Mr. McCulland being taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Detention Center at the end of the inquiry. Upon arriving at the Jail Mr. McCulland was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated.

Deputy Eric Powell 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


Two vehicle accident nets arrest of Evansville driver on multiple charges

On August 21, 2025, at 4:51 p.m. Gibson County Deputy Eric Powell drove up on a two-vehicle accident that had just occurred on US 41 near Strain Street in Fort Branch.  After checking on both participants in the accident Deputy Powell began a roadside accident investigation. During the investigation Deputy Powell detected multiple clues that the driver of the White Mercury Grand Marquis may be under the influence of an unknown intoxicant.  
 
Deputy Powell determined that 47-year-old Carlos Cabell of Evansville had rearended a Blue 2013 Ford F150 that was slowed in traffic on US 41 with his White 1996 Mercury Grand Marquis. 
 
Once the accident investigation was completed Deputy Powell focused on the OWI investigation, and at the end of the inquiry Deputy Powell placed Mr. Cabell into custody and transported him to the Gibson County Detention Center.  Upon arriving at the Detention Center Mr. Cabell was charged with Possession of Methamphetamines, Possession of Cocaine, Possession of Paraphernalia, and Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated.  He was also issued a citation for Operating a Vehicle Without Financial Responsibility. 
 
Sgt. Loren Barchett assisted Deputy Powell 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.

School Board Drops Student Sports Ticket Charge

The Wabash District #348 school board has voted to allow all distict students into sporting events free of charge. Superintendent Dr. Chuck Bleyer explained the reasoning behind the idea at the school board’s monthly meeting on Monday…

The waiver of student ticket fees only applies to District #348 students and will not apply to any IHSA post-season games where passes of any kind are not allowed.

Texas man arrested on multiple charges

On August 20, 2025, at 11:48 p.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a 911 report of an intoxicated person in the drive thru of the Wendy’s Restaurant located in the Love’s Truck Stop at 901 E 1250 South near Haubstadt.  The caller stated that the vehicle left the parking lot headed westbound without the headlights activated.  While speaking with dispatch the caller was able to provide a Texas license plate.  Deputy Micheal Bates and Sgt. John Fischer arrived in the area and located the vehicle in the Baymont Inn just south of the Wendy’s restaurant.  Upon approaching the vehicle, Deputy Michael Bates detected the odor of alcohol coming from the driver 35-year-old Matthew Olguin of Haltom City, Texas.  At that point Deputy Bates began a roadside DUI investigation.  During the investigation Mr. Olguin was transported to Deaconess Gibson Hospital to obtain medical clearance.  During this time Mr. Olguin became agitated and began to yell multiple times after being instructed to stop.  Once the investigation was completed Mr. Olguin was transported to the Gibson County Detention Center where he was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated-Refusal, Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated-Prior, Operating a Vehicle Without Ever Obtaining a License, Disorderly Conduct, and Operating a Vehicle With an Open Alcoholic Beverage. 
 
Deaconess Gibson Police Officer Jennifer Robb and Sgt. John Fischer 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.

IECC Board Summary

The Board of Trustees of the Illinois Eastern Community College District No. 529 met Tuesday, August 19, 2025 at Wabash Valley College, Mt. Carmel, Illinois.

The Board approved the minutes of the Board of Trustees regular meeting held on July 15, 2025. Affiliation agreements were approved with Stone Bridge Memory Care, Stone Bridge Senior Living, Ferrell Hospital, The Carle Foundation, WLC Management, and Axiom Healthcare of Flora. The IECC Program Review Report FY25 was accepted by the Board and will be submitted to the Illinois Community College Board.

The Board approved three memorandums of understanding with the following:

• Prevail Illinois, Robinson, IL – as required by the Preventing Sexual Violence in Higher Education Act, and referenced in IECC Policy 100.31, confidential advisors will be available for students or employees who experience sexual violence, should they choose to seek their services.

• Sexual Assault and Family Emergencies (SAFE), Vandalia, IL – as required by the Preventing Sexual Violence in Higher Education Act, and referenced in IECC Policy & Procedure 100.31, confidential advisors will be available for students or employees who experience sexual violence, should choose to seek their services.

• Lincoln Trail College Foundation – this agreement will provide the Foundation with a suitable and clearly defined location on the LTC campus while ensuring alignment with college operations and facilities management.

The Board selected Trustee Browning and Trustee Ridgely to serve as members of the Audit Committee to review the annual audit and complete the Audit Report.

The purchase of Rapid7 Managed Threat Detection services through CDW-G for a three-year term was approved by the Board.

The Board approved a license agreement with ASTAR for the utilization of approximately 7,500 square feet of space at Wabash Valley College to provide training and certification services to area industry and IECC students.

Bid committee recommendations were approved for acceptance of the following bids: Bevis Construction, Inc. for a total of $5,651,000 for the capital investment project of the Athletic Facility at Frontier Community College.

• Murray Concrete, Inc. for a total of $29,750 for the new sidewalk included in the Lincoln Trail College Athletic Performance Center project.

Approval of employment was given for Jared Price as Academic Advisor, WVC effective September 8, 2025; Lora Smith as Custodian, LTC effective August 25, 2025; Dr. Emily Krajec as District Medical Director effective August 25, 2025.

Changes in employment status were approved for Chris Forde from Coordinator of Public Information & Marketing to Program Director of Marketing & Communications effective August 25, 2025; Ken Pryor from Technology Systems Specialist to Technology Infrastructure Manager effective August 25, 2025; Mark Blevins from Technology Systems Specialist to Technology Infrastructure Manager effective August 25, 2025; and Fawna Forrest from Part-time HR Assistant to HR Operations Specialist effective August 25, 2025.

Previously approved pay increases for Full-time Non-Bargaining Unit Employees were reviewed and accepted for Fiscal Year 2025-2026.

A special assignment was approved for Aaron Biddle as Athletic Director at Wabash Valley College.

Resignation ratifications were approved for Autumn Hoalt as Custodian, LTC effective August 1, 2025, Annie Lankford as TRIO SSS Academic Advisor, FCC effective August 7, 2025, and Wade Baker as Music Instructor, OCC effective August 8, 2025.

The next regular meeting of the Board of Trustees will be Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at 6:15 p.m. at Frontier Community College, Fairfield, IL.

Effingham County man admits to federal charges for financially exploiting an elder out of more than $330,000

BENTON, Ill. – An Effingham County man appeared in federal court to plead guilty to several charges for exploiting an elder out of an estimated $338,773.

Edward L. Stief, Jr., 42, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud, one count of mail fraud and one count of unlawful monetary transactions in criminal derived property. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on Dec. 2 at the federal courthouse in Benton.

“The defendant posed as a trusted helper, offering lawn care services to gain the victim’s confidence, only to exploit his trust,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft. “He then deceived this vulnerable victim into leaving a nursing home with false promises of care, just to pocket more money. We will relentlessly pursue such financial predators to protect southern Illinois communities.”

According to court documents, Stief met the victim in May 2023 after becoming acquainted to him while offering lawn care and landscaping services. Shortly thereafter, Stief used several misrepresentations to convince the victim to appoint him as his Financial and Healthcare Power of Attorney.

"After a lifetime of hard work, our seniors deserve to feel safe and secure. Instead, criminals like this defendant shatter that trust, stealing not just their money but their sense of security,” said FBI Springfield Special Agent in Charge Christopher J.S. Johnson. “FBI Springfield and our partners will continue to hold those who commit elder fraud accountable for their callous and reprehensible actions."

Stief became a signatory on the victim’s bank accounts. In August 2023, he talked the victim into cashing out life insurance policies and deposited most of the victim’s money into Stief’s personal bank accounts. In addition, Stief also took the victim’s gold coin collection, gold necklaces and watches.

In October 2023, Stief persuaded the victim to leave a nursing home facility and move into his full-time care. Under Stief’s care, the victim was not cared for and his medical needs were not met.

Convictions for wire and mail fraud are punishable by up to 20 years’ imprisonment and monetary transaction in criminally derived property is punishable by up to 10 years’ imprisonment.

The FBI Springfield Field Office and the Effingham Police Department contributed to the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathleen Howard is prosecuting the case.

The National Elder Fraud Hotline is a service from the U.S. Department of Justice that helps victims over 60 years report crimes and access resources. The hotline is available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. ET, at (833) 372-8311 or (833) FRAUD-11. Callers can remain anonymous, and translation services are available.

Haubstadt woman arrested for Battery

On August 18, 2025, at 4:39 p.m. Gibson County law enforcement officers were dispatched to a residence in the 3200 block of West Sycamore Street in Princeton.  Upon arriving Deputy Shawn Holmes spoke with Princeton Officer Bryce Jutzi about a battery that had occurred in the Fort Branch area.  At that point Deputy Holmes began an investigation into the incident.  At the end of his inquiry Deputy Holmes placed 34-year-old Loveta Stuckey-Earl of Haubstadt into custody and transported her to the Gibson County Detention Center.  Upon arriving at the Detention Center Ms. Earl was charged with Felony Battery. 
 
Princeton Officers Bryce Jutzi and Jeremy Robb assisted Deputy Holmes in his investigation.  Additional assistance was provided by the Haubstadt Police Department.
 
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.