Olney Man Sentenced To 4 Years In DOC

The Wabash County State’s Attorney’s Office has announced a prison sentence in a forgery case.

State’s Attorney Kelli Storckman said that on December 15th, Aaron K. McDonald, a 41-year-old man from Olney, was sentenced to four years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. The sentence was handed down by Circuit Judge William Hudson in Wabash County Circuit Court.

McDonald was originally charged in December of 2023 with forgery, after unlawfully using credit cards belonging to United Parcel Service at a local gas station.

In July of 2024, McDonald was placed on probation, but was later resentenced to the Department of Corrections after failing to comply with the conditions of that probation.

Evansville Man Gets 6 Years In Prison

The Wabash County State’s Attorney’s Office has announced a prison sentence in a local drug and weapons case.

State’s Attorney Kelli Storckman said that on Tuesday, 34 year old Jordan Emery of Evansville was sentenced to six years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. The sentence was handed down by Circuit Judge William Hudson in Wabash County Circuit Court.

The case stems from a November 28th traffic stop on Route 1 South, when deputies with the Wabash County Sheriff’s Department stopped a vehicle driven by Emery in Wabash County. During the stop, deputies learned Emery had an outstanding Wabash County warrant.

A search conducted prior to Emery’s arrest led deputies to discover methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, a firearm, and ammunition inside the vehicle.

Commissioner Spars With Solar Opponents

Tensions remain high in Wabash County following this week’s vote approving a large-scale solar farm in rural parts of the county.

After the county commissioners voted yes on an application from RWE to site a solar project covering more than 3,000 acres near the former Friendsville Mine, County Commissioner Rob Dean posted profane messages on Facebook directed at residents questioning the county’s decision.

During Monday’s county board meeting, Dean also voiced his displeasure with Mount Carmel Mayor Joe Judge for liking a Facebook post opposing the solar project.

In response, Judge said he liked the post only to acknowledge that he had been tagged, not as an endorsement of the message.

On Tuesday, Dean returned to social media, again using profane language to challenge opponents of the solar farm, saying those who disagree with the decision should run for office. The comments have since been deleted.

Currently, five candidates are seeking the county commissioner seat held by Scott West, who is not seeking re-election in 2026. Dean’s own seat on the county board will not be up for election until 2028.

County Board Unanimously Greenlights Solar Project

The Wabash County Commissioners have approved an application from RWE Energy to site a large solar farm in rural Wabash County.

For the second straight Monday, opponents of the project packed the Wabash County Courtroom during the commissioners’ regular meeting, voicing concerns about farmland loss, property values, wildlife impacts, glare from solar panels, and long-term environmental effects. Several nearby residents said the project would negatively affect their quality of life, while others urged commissioners to place the decision before voters or impose a moratorium.

Representatives for RWE and its development partner, R3 Gateway, told commissioners the Friendsville Solar Project complies with the county’s solar ordinance adopted in 2023. The county’s third-party consultant, Bellwether, confirmed the application met all ordinance and state requirements. Project attorneys emphasized that state law requires approval when an application meets local standards.

Developers also highlighted economic benefits, including road improvements, hundreds of construction jobs, permanent jobs, and increased tax revenue. According to figures presented at the meeting, the project could generate an average of more than 1.7 million dollars annually in new tax revenue, largely benefiting local schools and other taxing districts.

Commissioners acknowledged the emotional and divisive nature of the decision, noting the balance between neighboring residents’ concerns and property owners’ rights. After extensive public comment and discussion, the commissioners voted 3–0 to approve the application.

With the approval, the Friendsville Solar Project can move forward under the conditions outlined in the county’s solar ordinance.

Mount Carmel arrested for DUI involving Serious Bodily Injury Accident

On December 12, 2025, at 8:04 p.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a 911 report of a two-vehicle accident on State Road 64 near the Wabash River Bridge.  Upon arriving on scene, emergency service personnel discovered that a Blue 2012 Chrysler Van and a Gray 2021 Toyota Truck had collided and there was one person trapped inside the van.  Patoka Township Fire and Owensville Fire extricated the individual and they were transported to an Evansville area hospital for treatment for a serious bodily injury. 
 
During the investigation of the incident Deputy Eric Powell detected the odor of alcohol coming from the driver of the Toyota truck, 25-year-old Zachary Whittler of Mount Carmel.  At that point he began a roadside DUI involving a serious bodily injury accident investigation.  Once the inquiry was completed Mr. Whittler was taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Detention Center where he was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated Causing Serious Bodily Injury. 
 
Deputy Powell was assisted by several emergency service personnel from the Sheriff’s Office, Princeton Police Department, Fort Branch Police Department, Patoka Township Fire Department, Owensville Fire Department, and Gibson County Ambulance Service.    
 
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
 

Wabash Co. Deputy Court Case Delayed Again

The long-delayed preliminary hearing for former Wabash County Sheriff’s Deputy Chase Cheadle has been rescheduled once again -this time for January 8th. The new date marks the ninth delay in the case, with continuances stretching back to November 14th of last year.

Cheadle, the former canine handler for the sheriff’s department, was originally charged with eight offenses, including four counts of official misconduct, one count of theft, one count of animal cruelty, and two counts of violating animal owner duties. Five of those charges were felonies.

However, in June, Special Prosecutor Brian Towne dismissed two of the felony counts — the theft charge and one count of official misconduct.

The case centers around Kiki, the department’s K-9, whom the 30-year-old Cheadle reported finding unresponsive in July of 2024. Cheadle was arrested after an investigation into the dog’s death and resigned from the sheriff’s department the following month.

Cheadle’s preliminary hearing is now set for January 8th, pending any further delays.

Youth First Social Worker Arrested for Child Seduction

Gibson County – Indiana State Police initiated a criminal investigation on November 6 after detectives received information regarding inappropriate behavior between a Youth First social worker and a 16-year-old male student at Princeton High School.

During the criminal investigation, the social worker was identified as Mariah Lienemann, 30, of Owensville. Suspicious behavior was reported to school administrators on November 6, and police were immediately contacted. The student had been in Lienemann’s class since the start of the 2025-2026 school year.

Indiana State Police detectives were able to determine during the investigation that Lienemann allegedly had sexual relations with the student on more than one occurrence in the classroom during school hours. Detectives also discovered numerous inappropriate text messages, and more than 15 Facetime calls between Lienemann and the student.

The Gibson County Prosecutor’s Office reviewed this case and charged Lienemann with Child Seduction, a Level 5 Felony. An arrest warrant was issued on December 11. At approximately 5:40 p.m. this evening, Indiana State Police arrested Lienemann at her residence without incident. She was transported to the Gibson County Jail where she is currently being held on bond.

Lienemann is no longer employed with Youth First.

Investigating Officers: Detective Nick Hatfield and Sergeant Brad Chandler, Indiana State Police

Indian national sentenced to federal prison for scamming elderly residents

Victims spanned five Midwest states with an intended loss of more than $2.2 million

 

EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – A district judge sentenced an Indian national to 90 months in federal prison for his involvement in an imposter scheme to defraud 11 identified victims, including elderly residents from Edwardsville and Effingham, Illinois, and St. Louis, Missouri.

Ligneshkumar H. Patel, 38, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and financial institution fraud and two counts of wire fraud. The judge ordered him to pay more than $2 million in restitution.

“Imposter scams are international conspiracies often using U.S.-based money mules to meet victims in person to take their money,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecutes these fraudsters aggressively, and anyone who targets elderly victims will face certain justice.”

An imposter scam occurs when a scammer lies to victims and impersonates law enforcement or a federal official to defraud people into giving them money, access to financial accounts or other personal information. In this case, Patel’s conspirators convinced the victims they needed to hand over their assets for protection.

According to court documents, Patel drove to the residences of at least 11 elderly victims in five states to steal their assets totaling $2,231,216.99. Patel worked within a major conspiracy that included at least 85 additional victims with an intended loss of more than $6.9 million.

“This case highlights the serious consequences for individuals who prey on the elderly through sophisticated fraud schemes,” said Matthew J. Scarpino, special agent in charge of HSI Chicago. “HSI remains dedicated to protecting our communities from financial crimes and ensuring that those responsible are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

Patel acted as a courier or “money mule,” and admitted to picking up money and gold from victims in Illinois, Missouri, Iowa, Michigan and Wisconsin to fuel the conspiracy.

Homeland Security Investigations and the Edwardsville Police Department contributed to the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Reed prosecuted the case.