Yesterday, September 28, 2021, a Jefferson County, Indiana man was arrested on multiple counts of child molesting and sexual misconduct with a minor after a lengthy investigation by Indiana State Police Detectives assigned to the Internet Crimes Against Children Unit. 

In July of this year, detectives arrested Matthew D. Riddle, age 35, Lexington, Indiana on charges related to the possession of child pornography after a three-month investigation following the arrest of Vic Weil, age 74, Hanover, Indiana.

The ongoing investigation led to information that Riddle had allegedly had sexual contact with multiple juvenile victims at his residence in Jefferson County over the previous six years. 

The additional information was presented to the Jefferson County Prosecutor’s Office for review.  As a result, a warrant was issued for Riddle on charges of Child Molesting (6 counts), Level 1 Felony, Sexual Misconduct with a minor (3 counts), Level 4 Felony, and Sexual Misconduct with a minor (2 counts), Level 5 Felony.

Yesterday, the Madison Police Department served the arrest warrant on Matthew Riddle, who was still incarcerated at the Jefferson County Jail.

In April of this year, Indiana State Police (ISP) investigators assigned to the Internet Crimes against Children Unit arrested 74-year-old Vic Weil of Hanover, Indiana, for Child Solicitation and Sexual Misconduct with a Minor.

The information gained as a result of that case lead officers to investigate Riddle.    

On July 12, 2021, a search warrant for Riddle’s residence was granted by the Jefferson County Circuit Court.

That warrant, which permitted officers to search digital devices for child pornography, was served on July 13, 2021.

As a result of information collected and gained from the search and investigation, investigators requested an arrest warrant.  

On July 21, 2021, investigators arrested Riddle on three counts of Possession of Child Pornography, each a Level 5 Felony, and Two counts of Possession of Child Pornography, each a Level 6 Felony.

Riddle was arrested without incident and transported to the Jefferson County Jail. 

This case is still under investigation.  

Tuesday, September 28 is National Voter Registration Day, a civic holiday celebrating our democracy. Indiana makes it easy for new voters to register for the first time or for existing voters to update their information.

“Government works best when its citizens are active and engaged,” said Secretary Sullivan. “I encourage all Hoosiers to use this day to make sure they are registered and that their voter information is up to date. Registering only takes a few minutes and can be done online at any time.”

Sullivan will be a guest on WSLM’s Coffee Club this morning to discuss her role in Indiana and talk about how voters can make sure they’re registered. 

Citizens can register to vote by visiting IndianaVoters.com, or can submit an application to register in person at their local county clerk’s office.

IndianaVoters.com also allows Hoosiers to confirm their voter registration, look up their polling place, get driving directions to their polling location, find out who’s on their ballot, track their absentee ballot application, and contact local election officials.

To be eligible to register to vote, you must:

• Be a citizen of the United States
• Be at least 18 years old by Election Day
• Have lived in your precinct for at least 30 days before the election
• Not currently be imprisoned after being convicted of a crime.

As of this month, there are 4.7 million registered voters in Indiana.

Voters with questions can call the Hoosier Voter Hotline at 866-IN-1-VOTE.

On Sunday afternoon, around 4:30 pm, Sgt. Greg Day of the Indiana State Police Bloomington District ACES (Aggressive Criminal Enforcement Section) was assisting Bedford Police Officers with a drug investigation in the 300 block of R Street.

While at this residence, officers obtained information that Justin A. Nelson (38 years old of Louisville, Kentucky) was on his way to that residence to deliver a large amount of methamphetamine.

Bedford Police arrested the individuals at the residence, while Sgt. Day remained on R Street to watch for Nelson. A few minutes later, Nelson turned northbound onto R Street from 4th Street, driving a 2003 Ford Escape.

As Nelson pulled up in front of the residence, Sgt. Day pulled in front of him and activated his emergency lights. However, Nelson put the car in reverse, backed up a few feet, put it back in drive, then accelerated off-road and around Sgt. Day.

Sgt. Day turned around and initiated a very short vehicle pursuit on Nelson in the Ford Escape. 

Less than a block north, R Street ends and an alley then runs eastbound toward Lincoln Avenue. Nelson drove to the end of R Street then began to drive through the backyard of a residence. Sgt. Day traveled down the alley, onto Lincoln Avenue, and observed Nelson driving through a yard in the 100 block of Lincoln Avenue. When Nelson saw Sgt. Day, he turned around (causing minor damage to a plastic downspout pipe and the yard), then accelerated back westbound around the residence.

Sgt. Day pulled into the driveway and was able to pursue Nelson a very short distance into a driveway in the 200 block of S Street. Nelson then turned south onto S Street and immediately into a driveway in the 300 block of S Street. Sgt. Day stopped at the end of this driveway, while Nelson drove his Ford over a small rock wall and into the yard of this residence. Due to the configuration of the yard and the woods that surrounded it, Nelson had no place to go. He then exited his Ford and began to flee on foot. 

Sgt. Day was able to chase and quickly apprehend Nelson on the side of the house.

Bedford Police Officers Robert Looney, Sgt. Kody Emmons, and Capt. Jesse Crane, along with Trp. Chance Humphrey then arrived on the scene. Capt. Crane deployed his canine, Max, who gave a positive alert on the Ford. 

Approximately 3 grams of methamphetamine and several controlled substance pills were located. Sgt. Day checked the area that Nelson had ran and discovered a plastic baggie containing approximately 23 more grams of methamphetamine.

Sgt. Day arrested Nelson for the following offenses incarcerated him at the Lawrence County Jail:

1. Dealing Methamphetamine, Level 2 Felony
2. Possession of Methamphetamine, Level 3 Felony
3. Obstruction of Justice, Level 6 Felony
4. Resisting Law Enforcement in a Vehicle, Level 6 Felony
5. Resisting Law Enforcement by Fleeing on Foot, Class A Misdemeanor
6. Possession of Controlled Substance, Class A Misdemeanor
7. Criminal Recklessness, Class B Misdemeanor
8. Criminal Mischief, Class B Misdemeanor

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

Anyone with illegal drug activity information is requested to call the Indiana State Police Bloomington Post at 812-332-4411, the Lawrence County Prosecutor’s Office tip line at 812-545-4700, or send an email to drugactivity@lawrencecounty.in.gov.

All calls are confidential.

Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch and the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs today announced four Indiana communities have been awarded Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation Grants totaling $939,900. The grants will be used to empower these Indiana communities to directly fund homeowners of low-moderate income to make needed repairs on their homes.

“Congratulations to these four Hoosier communities on receiving this grant,” Crouch said. “It is important we continue to look out for all Hoosiers in our cities and towns. This funding will aid these efforts by providing necessary financial assistance to homeowners who need repairs but may have a hard time affording them.”

Communities awarded will set up a program to fund low- and moderate-income homeowners to make repairs on their homes. Eligible repairs include roof repair or replacement, ADA accessibility, heating, and cooling replacement, lighting and electrical upgrades, and water heater replacement.

“Home repairs can add up quickly, and for some Hoosiers, these costs could be devastating financially,” said OCRA Executive Director Denny Spinner. “Through this grant, communities can provide financial assistance to these homeowners and allow them to stay in their homes and raise their families in a safe environment.”

These four Hoosier communities received the following amounts: 

• The City of Austin is awarded $225,000; 
• The City of Connersville is awarded $250,000; 
• The City of Mitchell is awarded $250,000; and
• The City of Rushville is awarded $214,900.

The State of Indiana distributes the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant funds to rural communities to assist units of local government with various community projects.

The Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation Program is a pilot program to explore OCRA’s capacity to implement a yearly granting program. 

For more information, visit in.gov/ocra/cdbg/owner-occupied-rehabilitation-pilot-program.