State Rep.-elect J. Michael Davisson (R-Salem) took the oath of office today to serve as state representative for House District 73.

Indiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Loretta H. Rush administered the oath in the House Chamber of the Statehouse during a formal swearing-in ceremony. Davisson will serve the remaining term of his late father, former State Rep. Steve Davisson of Salem, who passed away in September.

“It’s an honor and privilege to have the opportunity to serve our community at the Statehouse and to carry on the legacy and work of my father,” Davisson said. “I strongly believe in, and will always advocate for, a limited government that lives within its means – just as Hoosiers do every day. I’m looking forward to diving into this upcoming session and using my experience to keep Indiana’s momentum moving forward.”

House District 73 includes Washington County, and portions of Jackson, Lawrence, Orange, Clark and Harrison counties.

Davisson is a lifelong resident of Salem. He previously served as chair of the Washington County Young Republicans and for nine years on the board of directors of the Indiana War Memorial Commission. He currently operates a family-owned pharmacy in Salem.

Davisson is also an Army combat veteran of Afghanistan and Iraq, and he retired in 2017 after 17 years of military service.

Constituents can contact Davisson by calling 317-232-9619 or emailing h73@iga.in.gov.

Autopsies were conducted today, and the victims have been identified as John S. Hall, 74, and Elizabeth A. Hall, 74, of Mt. Vernon.

Posey County Coroner Bill Denning has ruled the manner of death for both victims as homicide.

Since this investigation is ongoing, the cause of death will not be released.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is encouraged to contact the Indiana State Police or Mt. Vernon Police. Anyone with information can remain anonymous.

Investigating Agency: Indiana State Police

Assisting Agency: Mt. Vernon Police

Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating a hunting-related accident that occurred yesterday in Bartholomew County. 

Just after 8 p.m., responders were dispatched to private property near the 11000 block of S 800 W, for an injured person who fell from a tree stand.

Zachary Burbrink, 33, Columbus, was injured when a cable securing his stand to a tree broke causing Burbrink to fall approximately 12 feet to the ground.

He was not utilizing a full-body safety harness at the time of the incident.

Burbrink was transported, via helicopter, to IU Health Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis with a back injury.

Assisting agencies were the Southwest Fire Department, Harrison Twp. Fire Department, Columbus Regional Hospital EMS, Bartholomew Co. Sheriff’s Department.

Earlier this week, a New Albany man was jailed on numerous charges after he fled from an Indiana State Trooper in Harrison County, Indiana.

The investigation began at approximately 2:40 am when Trooper Clay Boley attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a Geo Tracker on State Road 135 at State Road 62 in Corydon, Indiana.  The vehicle, being driven by Aaron M. Schweitzberger, age 27, New Albany, Indiana, fled from Trp. Boley southbound on State Road 135.  Troopers with the Indiana State Police-Sellersburg Post along with Harrison County Deputies pursued Schweitzberger’s vehicle through southern Harrison County.

Schweitzberger’s vehicle eventually came to a stop along Albin Ford Road near Elizabeth, Indiana.  Schweitzberger, along with a female passenger, both fled the vehicle on foot.  Schweitzberger was soon captured by Trp. Boley and Harrison County Deputy Daniel Evans.  The female passenger was not located.

Deputy Evans’ K-9 was deployed on the vehicle and gave a positive alert to illegal drugs.  During a search of the vehicle, officers located approximately 11 grams of suspected methamphetamine along with additional controlled substances and drug paraphernalia.  Schweitzberger was also found to have outstanding felony warrants through Floyd, Harrison, and Dubois Counties.   

Schweitzberger was transported to the Harrison County Jail where he is currently being held on preliminary felony charges of Dealing Methamphetamine over 10 grams, Possession of Methamphetamine over 10 grams, Resisting Law Enforcement in a Vehicle, Possession of a Legend Drug and misdemeanor charges of Reckless Driving and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Trp. Boley was assisted by Troopers Steven Peyton and Zachary Lavey with the Indiana State Police-Sellersburg Post along with the Harrison County Sheriff’s Department and Shaffer’s Towing.

Thursday night, Indiana State Police Senior Trooper Richard Klun, was dispatched to conduct a welfare check on a female in Bloomfield after she had left her home in Southern Indiana and was traveling to Fort Wayne.

The investigation revealed that the female received a phone call from two men who identified themselves as law enforcement officers. The men falsely asserted criminal legal action towards the female unless she traveled to Fort Wayne to exchange monetary funds for her fine. 

During the interaction with the female, S/Trp. Klun observed that she was on the phone with the men for several hours and that the female was in possession of gift cards and cash. S/Trp. Klun spoke to the two men on the phone and identified himself as a Trooper with ISP. The men continued to attempt the scam as one of the men identified himself as a law enforcement officer with a police department in Allen County. The other man identified himself as a federal agent and then threatened to arrest S/Trp. Klun for impeding their investigation. But S/Trp. Klun knew that something was amiss and requested other identifying answers from the men. At the same time ISP Dispatchers were in communication with the above-mentioned police department and confirmed that the man was not who he claimed to be. Ultimately, S/Trp. Klun was able to get the men to admit to the scam before they abruptly ended the phone call. It was confirmed that the female did not have an active warrant and she was released. S/Trp. Klun is continuing his investigation and communication with officials in the Ft. Wayne area to attempt to identify the suspects.

Indiana State Police Bloomington District would like to remind everyone that this incident serves as a warning to the general public to be cognizant when you receive unsolicited phone calls. Scammers continue new tricks and have recently been impersonating members of law enforcement while using software that shows the incoming call is from a police department. Their sole purpose is attempting to extort individuals by claiming that subpoenas and warrants have been issued against them or that their loved one is in jail and money is needed to settle the matter.

If you happen to receive unsolicited phone calls similar in nature:

• Don’t give in to pressure to take immediate action.
• Don’t engage in any conversation, as scammers may record your response.
• Don’t provide your credit card number, bank account information, or other personal information to a caller.
• Don’t send money if a caller tells you to wire money or pay with a prepaid debit card or gift card.
• Don’t travel to any location the caller asked you to go to.
• Hang up, and call the police

Lt. Paul Bucher, Commander of the Bloomington Post states, “Our troopers are trained to detect criminal behavior during their interactions with the public and thankfully, S/Trp. Klun quickly recognized that last night” he continued, “Let this be a reminder that criminals are ever-increasing the ways to defraud the public and asks that everyone remain vigilant against fraud.”

Below is a Consumer Information link from the Federal Trade Commission about Gift Card Fraud.

https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/gift-card-scams 

Indiana State Police and Mt. Vernon Police are currently investigating the death of a Mt. Vernon husband and wife. 

This morning at approximately 8:16, a family member went to their parent’s residence located at 727 Mulberry in Mt. Vernon to check on their welfare.

When they entered the residence, they discovered their parents were deceased. During the investigation, detectives observed signs of foul play and are treating their deaths as a homicide.

The identities of the deceased will be released after their autopsies, which are scheduled tomorrow.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Indiana State Police or the Mt. Vernon Police. Anyone with information can remain anonymous.

This is an ongoing investigation and further information will be released when it becomes available.

Investigating Agency: Indiana State Police

Assisting Agency: Mt. Vernon Police