Severe Weather Preparedness Week
This week (March 16-22) is Severe Weather Preparedness Week in Indiana.
This is the 40th anniversary of the April 1974 Super Outbreak, which is still the largest outbreak of tornadoes in the country‘s history.
Some tips to keep you safer include keeping trees trimmed, making a disaster kit with essentials, have basements waterproofed and contact your insurance company to see if you‘re in a flood plain. State officials also say to have a weather radio to alert you to when severe weather is approaching.
Other tips can be found at in.gov/dhs.
Drug Arrests in Scott County
Late yesterday evening, James “Jimmy” Barnett, 33, from Austin, was stopped by troopers from the Indiana State Police Post at Sellersburg. He was driving a blue 1994 GMC pickup truck on Rural Street near Third Street in Austin, with expired license plates and he was also driving left of center.
During the traffic stop, a syringe and other paraphernalia were in plain view in the passenger floorboard of the truck. A search of the vehicle resulted in troopers arresting James “Jimmy” Barnett and his passenger, Lindsay Cole, 30, from Austin.
Both were incarcerated at the Scott County Jail awaiting their first court appearance.
Troopers were assisted at the scene by officers from the Austin City Police Department.
Charges:
James “Jimmy” Barnett-
Possession of Methamphetamine, D Felony
Possession of a Syringe, D Felony
Possession of a Controlled Substance, D Felony
Maintaining a Common Nuisance, D Felony
Possession of Paraphernalia, A Misdemeanor
Operating while Intoxicated, A Misdemeanor
Lindsay Cole-
Possession of Methamphetamine, D Felony
Possession of a Syringe, D Felony
Possession of a Controlled Substance, D Felony, (Two Counts)
Maintaining a Common Nuisance, D Felony
Possession of Paraphernalia, A Misdemeanor
Media Note-Photos of both of the arrested are attached to this release. James “Jimmy” Barnett is the male and Lindsay Cole is the female.
Excise Officers Arrest 30 in South Bend
Indiana State Excise Police officers arrested 30 people on 50 charges during extra patrols on St. Patrick’s Day weekend in South Bend.
Of those arrested by State Excise Police officers, eight were charged with drug-related offenses, six with open containers of alcohol and others with a variety of other offenses.
These arrests included the following on Saturday night:
Broadrick A. Brown, 34, of Cedar Hill, Texas, was arrested on an outstanding warrant for a parole violation for failure to register as a sex offender in Texas. He was also issued tickets for not wearing a seat belt and for having an open container of alcohol.
David Jarel Moss, 30, of South Bend, was arrested on preliminary charges of possession of a handgun by a felon, possession of a handgun without a permit, possession of cocaine and possession of marijuana. Moss was also arrested on three outstanding warrants alleging: failure to appear for driving under influence alcohol and resisting arrest (in Berrien County, Mich.), criminal confinement, strangulation and domestic battery (in St. Joseph County, Ind.) and never obtaining a driver’s license (also in St. Joseph County, Ind.).
Also on Saturday night, excise officers observed what appeared to be a drug deal in the shared parking lot of Kwik Mart, 2603 S. Michigan St., and Discount Liquors, 2609 S. Michigan St. After further investigation, Antonio King, 31, of South Bend, was arrested on preliminary charges of dealing marijuana and possession of marijuana and was issued a citation for driving while suspended – infraction. Shaunrelle Ward, 37, of South Bend, was arrested for possession of marijuana. Ward is employed as a clerk at Discount Liquors and was on duty at the time of his arrest. Christopher Moffett, 25, of South Bend, was arrested for dealing marijuana and possession of marijuana. Moffett is employed as a security guard at Kwik Mart and was on duty at the time of his arrest.
“Often, state excise officers discover criminal activity while conducting their regulatory duties,” Superintendent Matt Strittmatter said. “This demonstrates how important regulating alcohol is to public safety.”
Excise officers also issued eight warning tickets for a variety of traffic violations.
As the enforcement division of the Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission, the primary mission of the Indiana State Excise Police is to promote public safety by enforcing Indiana’s Alcoholic Beverage Code. While excise officers have the authority to enforce any state law, they focus primarily on alcohol, tobacco and related laws.
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless, proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
