The Washington County Sheriff’s Department in Indiana has alerted the public about a scam involving fake text messages, allegedly from the United States Postal Service (USPS).

The USPS has also issued a similar warning. Local law enforcement is making efforts to keep the community informed.

The alert emphasizes that the USPS does not request personal information through text messages. People should be cautious about unexpected messages claiming package delivery issues. Such tactics are commonly used by scammers.

People are advised to confirm the legitimacy of any suspicious messages by reaching out to USPS through their official contact channels.

Genuine USPS tracking updates are sent from a 5-digit number. Messages from unknown or dubious sources should be treated carefully.

To report a potential USPS-related scam, people can email spam@uspis.gov or forward suspicious messages to 7726.

Sheriff Brent Miller encourages residents to stay informed, be alert, and share this information with others to help safeguard the community against scams.

Early Tuesday Morning, February 6^th, Trooper Andrew Recker attempted to stop a vehicle with a non-functioning taillight.

Trooper Recker located the vehicle at a rest stop and requested assistance from other officers.

Troopers spoke to the driver, John Mooney, and the passenger, Rita Delong.

After a probable cause search, troopers located approximately one pound of suspected methamphetamine, heroin, a stolen firearm, and a syringe.

Mooney also showed visible signs of impairment.

Mooney and Delong were both transported to the Spencer County jail where they are both being held on bond.

Mooney, 37, Louisville, KY, was charged with: 

• Dealing Methamphetamine with a Firearm – Level 2 Felony
• Possession of Methamphetamine with a Firearm – Level 3 Felony
• Possession of Stolen Property – Level 6 Felony
• Possession of a Syringe – Level 6 Felony
• Possession of Meth – Level 6 Felony
• Obstruction – Level 6 Felony
• OVWI – Class A Misdemeanor
• Warrant – Vanderburgh County

Delong, 33, Louisville, KY, was charged with: 

• Dealing Methamphetamine with a Firearm – Level 2 Felony
• Possession of Methamphetamine with a Firearm – Level 3 Felony
• Possession of Heroin – Level 5 Felony
• Possession of Stolen Property – Level 6 Felony
• Possession of a Syringe – Level 6 Felony
• Possession of Meth – Level 6 Felony
• Obstruction – Level 6 Felony
• Possession of Paraphernalia – Class C Misdemeanor

Arresting Officer – Trooper Andrew Recker

Assisting Officers – Trooper Teresa Bowling, Trooper Andrew Jones, Trooper Jon Villanueva, and Trooper Chase Snider

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

Tuesday afternoon, a bank robbery was reported at the Jackson County Bank located at the intersection of Main and Commerce Streets in Brownstown, Indiana. 

A suspected was quickly apprehended and jailed on charges related to the robbery.

Jeremiah M. Bragg, age 35, Brownstown, Indiana was arrested after he exited the rear passenger seat of his vehicle while holding a handgun and large amount of cash. 

Bragg soon dropped the handgun and was taken into custody by Brownstown Officers and Jackson County Deputies.  Troopers from the Indiana State Police-Versailles Post as well as Indiana Conservation Officers arrived on scene to assist.

The investigation began shortly after 2:30 pm yesterday afternoon when a bank alarm was received by Dispatchers with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department.  Initial information was that an armed male entered the bank, pointed a gun at the employees, and left the branch on foot with cash.   

Officers from the Brownstown Police Department and Jackson County Sheriff’s Department responded and arrived on scene very quickly.  Additional information obtained from a witness at a nearby residence reported that a male suspect ran through his yard and got into a black passenger car that was occupied by two other individuals before leaving the area. 

Within minutes, a Brownstown Police Officer observed a black Nissan passenger car matching the description traveling westbound on Vallonia Road from Poplar Street, just outside of Brownstown.  A traffic stop was conducted on the vehicle.  

The Brownstown Police Department requested Detectives from the Indiana State Police-Versailles Post respond to lead the investigation. 

Information collected during the investigation indicated that Bragg was the suspect who entered the bank, pointed a gun at the teller, and left with approximately $900 in cash.

Bragg was incarcerated in the Jackson County Jail on a preliminary charge of Robbery, Level 3 Felony. 

The two adult females in the vehicle with Bragg were soon released. 

The investigation is ongoing.  More charges are likely in this case.

The Indiana State Police was assisted in this investigation by the Brownstown Police Department, Jackson County Sheriff’s Department, and the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office.      

Under the Law, criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.