The last couple days required flexibility and resilience, but with constant strategic analysis and proactive leadership, Indiana Guardsmen stood alert to support the peaceful transition of power during the 2021 presidential inauguration, Jan. 20, 2021.

“The National Guard has a long and proud history of inauguration support. The forefathers of today’s National Guard were present for the inauguration of George Washington, and we have been part of every inauguration since,” said Army Gen. Daniel Hokanson, chief of the National Guard Bureau. “We stand ready to support this national event with our interagency partners.”

On the day of and during the days leading up to, Indiana Guardsmen provided security, communications, medical evacuation, logistics, and safety support to state, district and federal agencies through the presidential inauguration. While conditions may change the National Guard’s ability to respond is constant. Military support to inaugurations by Guard members dates back 232 years to when George Washington began his inaugural journey from Mount Vernon, Virginia to New York City.

Enduring partnerships with local, state and federal agencies, built on trust and performance, directly contributed to the National Guard’s success in homeland response.

“Our Hoosier Guardsmen stood ready with more than 25,000 citizen-soldiers and citizen-airmen from around the country to help ensure a peaceful transfer of authority at our nation’s capital,” said Indiana Adjutant General Brig. Gen. Dale Lyles. “In Indiana, we continue to support COVID-19-response missions – assisting at long-term care facilities, distributing invaluable personal protection equipment and also helping to distribute the coronavirus vaccination. Yet we could not do all this without the love and support from our family, friends, communities and civilian employers. Thank you, Indiana.”

Up to 25,000 citizen-soldiers and -airmen from 54 states, territories and District of Columbia, are currently authorized to provide security, communications, medical evacuation and other support to civilian authorities in the district throughout the presidential inauguration.

“I didn’t know what to expect coming into this mission,” said Indiana Guardsman Sgt. Tabitha Blair, who provided administrative support to an operations center. “I am impressed by the structure, the layers of security and the hours of analysis that went into completing this mission, I am honored and proud to be a part of such an important part of our democratic process.”

Following the inauguration Indiana Guardsmen won’t just pack up shop and be on their way. The Guardsmen will continue to support local, state and federal agencies until the mission is complete.

On January 19, 2021, Detectives with the Indiana State Police-Versailles Post arrested a Jefferson County, Indiana man on charges of Child Molesting after a two-month investigation.

The investigation by Detective Nate Adams began in early November when investigators were notified that a juvenile female had been subjected to unwanted sexual advances and physical contact while at a residence in Jefferson County.

During this investigation, it was determined that Justin C. Riley, 20, of Madison, had kissed the juvenile without her consent and had touched her inappropriately.

The investigation also determined that Riley then sent unsolicited inappropriate pictures to the victim.

As a result of the investigation, Riley was arrested on a charge of Child Molesting, Level 4 Felony.

He was incarcerated in the Jefferson County Jail.

The Indiana State Police was assisted in this investigation by the Indiana Department of Child Services and the Child Advocacy Center.

On Thursday, January 21, 2021, Indiana State Police Trooper Matt Harris stopped a vehicle on I-69 near the Third Street overpass for speeding in Bloomington.

While speaking with the occupants of the vehicle Trooper Harris identified a female passenger as Danielle R. Brown, 27, of Martinsville.

Further investigation then confirmed that Brown had an active warrant from Lawrence County. 

Brown was then placed under arrest for her warrant and a subsequent search revealed approximately 25 grams of suspected heroin hidden within her clothing.

She was then transported and booked into the Monroe County Jail for the following charges,

1. Dealing a Narcotic Drug, Level 5 Felony
2. Possession of a Narcotic Drug, Level 5 Felony
3. Possession of a Hypodermic Syringe, Level 6 Felony
4. Possession of Paraphernalia, A Misdemeanor

Trooper Harris was assisted at the scene by Troopers Julie Deel, Todd Durnil, Clay McBride and Sgt. Brad Mundy.

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

Anyone with illegal drug activity information is encouraged to contact the Indiana State Police Bloomington Post at 812-332-4411.

Thursday at about 4:15 pm, a 24-year-old Hayden woman was seriously injured in a two-vehicle crash on US 50 in Jennings County.

The initial investigation by Senior Trooper David Owsley indicated that a 2006 Honda Civic being driven by Corey Freeman, age 24 of Hayden, Indiana was traveling southbound on CR 580 West approaching US 50 in western Jennings County.

The investigation determined that Freeman disregarded the stop sign at the intersection.  Freeman’s vehicle entered US 50 into the path of an eastbound 2015 Chevy Silverado pulling a trailer, driven by Cody St John, age 21, of North Vernon, Indiana.

After colliding, both vehicles left the roadway before coming to rest.

Freeman was extricated from her vehicle before being flown to an Indianapolis area hospital for treatment of serious injuries.

St John was taken to Schneck Medical Center for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

US 50 was closed for nearly two hours for crash investigation and clean up.

This crash remains under investigation.

Trp. Owsley was assisted at the scene by the Indiana State Police-Versailles Crash Reconstruction Team, Jennings County Sheriff’s Office, Jennings County EMS, Spencer Fire Department, Scipio Geneva Fire Department, and StatFlight Medical Helicopter.