On Thursday, January 14th, Indiana State Police troopers from the Bloomington District concluded a lengthy investigation into reports of child solicitation.

The investigation culminated in the arrest of five people, who were residing in four different counties across the state, on charges of Child Solicitation, a Level 4 Felony.

The investigation began in early December when Trp. Robert Whyte received information from a concerned citizen in Lawrence County.

It was reported that multiple adult males had allegedly solicited an individual, who they believed to be a 15-year-old girl, to commit sexual acts with them.

Trp. Whyte launched five separate investigations and worked closely with the Lawrence County Prosecutor’s Office throughout the investigation.

The detailed investigations included numerous search warrants and analysis of electronic communications between the suspects and victim. 

Once the investigations were completed, they were reviewed by the Lawrence County Prosecutor Samuel C Arp III, Deputy Prosecutor Allison Chopra, and then submitted to the Lawrence County Superior Court 1 were The Honorable John Plummer III determined that probable cause existed for the arrest of the five suspects and arrest warrants were issued for each. In addition, search warrants for the residences and electronic devices of the suspects were also issued.

On Thursday evening, Indiana State Police Sgt. Greg Day and the Bloomington District A.C.E.S. (Aggressive Criminal Enforcement Section), along with ISP troopers assigned to Lawrence County, and members of the Lawrence County Prosecutor’s Office successfully served the five arrest and search warrants simultaneously across the area. 

The evidence seized during these search warrants are being analyzed for the possibility of other offenses. 

All five suspects were arrested without incident and incarcerated at the Lawrence County Jail. Additional charges are also possible as the investigation concludes.

The arrested suspects are:

1. Roger Keith, 58 years old from Coal City was arrested for Child Solicitation, a Level 4 Felony. He is being held at Lawrence County Jail
2. Thomas Pinnick, 25 years old from Mitchell was arrested for Child Solicitation, a Level 4 Felony. He is being held at the Lawrence County Jail
3. Brandon Dipasquale, 35 years old from Bloomington was arrested for Child Solicitation, a Level 4 Felony. He is being held at the Lawrence County Jail
4. Travis Henry, 47 years old from Bloomington was arrested for Child Solicitation, a Level 4 Felony. He is being held at the Lawrence County Jail
5. James Wheeler, 24 years old from Paoli was arrested for Child Solicitation, a Level 4 Felony. He is being held at the Lawrence County Jail

When asked about the investigation, Sgt. Day stated, “I commend not only the teamwork and cooperation to successfully serve five warrants at the same time in four counties but also Trp. Whyte for his tireless hard work on these investigations.”

Day continued, “Without a doubt, this investigation has saved young girls in our community from becoming victims to such alleged predators.”  

Sgt. Day reminds all parents that these dangers are ever-present and a real threat to our vulnerable youth.

He encourages parents to monitor closely the types of Apps and the communications that their children are taking part of on social media.

Earlier this week a Jackson, Michigan man was arrested for dealing heroin after a traffic stop in Jackson County.

The investigation began when Senior Trooper Randel Miller conducted a traffic stop on a 2021 Kia passenger car traveling southbound on I-65 just north of Seymour, Indiana.

While speaking to the driver, S/Trp. Miller became suspicious that criminal activity was taking place. 

A subsequent search of the vehicle and driver resulted in approximately 90 grams of heroin and marijuana being located and seized.

The driver, Jamaal Hunt, 38, Michigan was arrested for Dealing a Narcotic Drug over 28 grams, Level 2 Felony, Possession of a Narcotic Drug over 28 grams, Level 3 Felony, and Possession of Marijuana, Class C Misdemeanor.

Hunt was transported to the Jackson County Jail where he was being held pending an initial appearance in the Jackson County Circuit Court. 

S/Trp. Miller was assisted at the scene by Master Trooper Jason Hankins, Indiana State Police-Versailles.

The investigation determined that the heroin was being transported from Michigan to Florida and had an estimated street value of just under $10,000.

The Brownstown Police Department is looking for a missing woman.

They are looking for Kathy Staggs.

She was last seen at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday. She was wearing a tie-dye sweatshirt and jeans.

If anyone has seen or knows where Staggs is they are asked to call 812-358-2345.

“The outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to plague our community,” wrote Dr. Thomas Harris about Floyd County in an extension of restaurant and bar restrictions. 

“This week our county status has been changed to ORANGE,” he noted. “Measures such as hand hygiene, facial coverings, social distancing, staying home when sick, and avoiding large crowds are the most effective strategies to reduce the spread from infected persons to non-infected persons.”

“Therefore, to protect public health and simply save lives, restrictions must be extended to assist in the reduction
of COVID-19 transmission, and to decrease the number of new cases,” said Harris. 

With this understanding, Harris said he was extending the Restriction of Bar Hours.

Bar services at all retail food establishments (restaurants, bars and nightclubs) will cease at 10pm [2200] local time each
evening and not to reopen until 7am, pursuant to Indiana Code 16-20-1 et seq. and 16-41-9 et seq.

Bar services include bar seating, ordering at the bar, or congregating within the defined bar area. All service within retail food establishments after 10pm must be seated tableside service only.

Additionally, restaurants will decrease seating to 75%.

All customers in retail food establishments are required to be
seated when receiving service.

Individuals from non-household parties must be spaced six feet apart at tables, counters or other seating arrangements.

The order will remain in effect until Midnight, 28 January 2021.

The order may be extended or curtailed depending on
Pandemic conditions.

The intent of this order is to continue to provide a safe environment for all people in Floyd County, and avoid the spread
of COVID-19.

This will protect public health in Floyd County, according to Harris. 

Nothing in this order reduces or eliminates the requirements
imposed by the executive orders by Governor Holcomb or orders from other regulating governmental agencies.

Specific RED status criteria may be found on the FCHD or state websites.

This order is intended to be used to educate, encourage,
and persuade people to avoid large indoor gatherings and maintain social distancing.

Additionally, we encourage other business and governmental sectors to allow employees to work from home when feasible.

Citizens should continue to use frequent hand washing or sanitizing; maintain a minimum social distance of six (6) feet;
avoid touching the eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands; and stay home and isolate yourself if you are sick. We
recommend all those in symptomatic and close contact status be tested.

Harris said Covid vaccination has begun with over 3500 doses
administered.

Harris acknowledged much work remains to eliminate the Coronavirus effects on our community.

Due to the sudden increase in positive COVID cases in both students and staff, East Washington School Corporation is moving all classes to remote learning for the rest of the week – beginning today.

According to Superintendent Dennis Stockdale, students will return on January 25 under the school’s hybrid plan. 

These plans will be communicated in detail by the respective building principals soon, according to a document released on social media. 

Here’s the East Washington Hybrid Plan 

Stockdale said the school’s goal will be to return to full in person learning on Monday, February 1, 2021.

No other details were released. 

Salem Schools’ students are going in person.

West Washington School students are attending in a hybrid format of both in-person and online learning. 

Washington County Sheriff Brent Miller announced this morning, his department in partnership with the City of Salem Police Department, will hold its annual Drive-Through Drug Drop on Saturday, January 23 between 9a and noon.   

Residents are able to stop in and drop off any expired or unneeded prescription medications at the Washington County Justice Center.

“Families should be encouraged to bring their unused or expired medications to the drug drop.  It can be dangerous to leave medications in the home, particularly controlled substances, like opioids,” said Sheriff Miller. 

If you are unable to drop off your prescription medications during the January 23rd event, there is a secure drug drop box available at the Sheriff’s Department 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for proper disposal.  The City of Salem Police Department also has a dropbox in their office lobby. 

Since the drug drop program began in October of 2019, the Sheriff’s Department has collected more than 240 pounds of unused or expired medications. 

The program also serves as a reminder to the public to never flush medications and to properly dispose of them at these secure locations. 

All medications collected during the drop are immediately incinerated by Sheriff Miller and Salem Police Chief Tim Miller.  

In addition to the collection of unused prescription medications, the Departments will also be sponsoring a food drive to support the local food bank. 

Donations of non-perishable and canned food items will be accepted during the drug drop event. 

“The success of our Cram the Cruiser event was a blessing to many in our community. Thanks to the generosity of our citizens, we collected 5,551 food items and donated them to the Washington County Food Bank.  We know the food bank can sometimes be forgotten after the holidays and want to do our part to help them restock,”  Miller said.  

For more information about either program, please contact the Washington County Sheriff’s Department at (812) 883-5999. 

“Thank you for not only helping to keep our community safe by properly disposing of unneeded or expired prescriptions but for also generously supporting our local food bank,” said Miller. 

IHSAA Commissioner Paul Neidig announced today that this year’s IHSAA Boys Basketball State Finals will be played on Saturday, April 3, one week later than the previously scheduled date.

The four state championship games that will conclude the 111th boys’ state tournament, had been planned for March 27
at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

This date change is necessary in order to provide flexibility for scheduling the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament in Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

In the interest of cooperating with our partners and friends with the Indiana Pacers, Indiana Fever, and the Fieldhouse, the IHSAA
agreed to vacate the March 27 date.

After a lengthy discussion considering options, the IHSAA
Executive Committee approved the change to April 3.

“Our Executive Committee felt it was most important to
preserve the experience for our young people of playing for a
state championship in Bankers Life Fieldhouse,”
Commissioner Paul Neidig said of the decision.

“In a year that has seen plenty of disruption, we also felt this arrangement would cause the least amount of disruption and impact the fewest number of schools. The Indiana Pacers and Indiana Fever have been tremendous partners of the IHSAA and we felt it appropriate to work with them to help find a
solution.”

“This is an extraordinary situation, of course, and we are grateful to Commissioner Neidig and our friends at the IHSAA
for their support of the city and state in working through the details of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. The
IHSAA has always been an amazing partner and their understanding and flexibility throughout this process is a testament to their support of our community,” said Rick Fuson, President & COO of Pacers Sports & Entertainment.

“We look forward to the IHSAA boys basketball tournament every year and this will be an amazing day of basketball in
Indianapolis on April 3rd.”

The dates and locations of the earlier rounds of the state tournament remain unchanged with sectionals scheduled for
March 2-6; regionals on March 13, and semi-state games on March 20.

This will be just the second time ever and the first time since 1978 that the boy’s state finals will be contested in the month
of April.

That year, winter weather and an energy crunch caused by a coal miners’ strike forced a delay of the state tournament following the sectional championship round.

Regional games resumed three weeks later than originally
scheduled on April 1 with semi-states on April 8 and the state finals on April 15 at Market Square Arena in Indianapolis.

Muncie Central would go on to win its sixth state championship defeating Terre Haute South in overtime, 65-64.