The Indiana DNR Division of Law Enforcement is looking to fill Indiana Conservation Officer (ICO) positions across the state with highly motivated, outdoor-centered individuals.

Anyone interested in a career as an ICO should first read “Becoming a Conservation Officer” at dnr.IN.gov/lawenfor and complete the pre-screening test at dnr.IN.gov/lawenfor/9801.htm.  Completion of the pre-screening test by midnight Feb. 28 is required to be considered for the 2020 hiring process, which starts in early March.

To be qualified to pass the pre-screening test, you must be a U.S. citizen; be 21 years old by April 16, 2021; and have an associate’s degree from an accredited college or completed 60 hours toward a bachelor’s degree, or have four years full time active military service with an honorable discharge by Sept. 21, 2020. You must be able to pass minimum Indiana Law Enforcement Academy physical fitness requirements as listed at ilea.IN.gov/2338.htm.

Conservation officers comprise Indiana’s oldest state law enforcement agency. ICOs are fully recognized Indiana police officers who enforce and uphold all DNR rules and regulations as well as all other Indiana state laws. ICOs spend the majority of their time enforcing fishing and hunting regulations, conducting marine boat patrol on Indiana’s waterways, and patrolling DNR properties to keep them safe and family friendly.

In addition to traditional law enforcement work, ICOs also engage in many specialty areas, including Scuba, K-9, search and rescue, swift water rescue and many more.

Just before 2:00 p.m. today emergency crews were called to the scene of a semi tractor-trailer crash on the ramp from I-465 southbound to I-70 eastbound on the east side of Indianapolis. 911 calls were indicating the semi overturned and there was a large fire.

Trooper Chris Hanson was the first on the scene and assisted three other Good Samaritans with treating the driver’s injuries until medics arrived.

Preliminary information is three people stopped when they saw the wreckage and helped the driver escape the flames. The driver was transported to an area hospital in critical condition. 

Preliminary investigation revealed the semi tractor-trailer was exiting from I-465 onto I-70 when it overturned on the curve of the ramp.

Investigators believe unsafe speed contributed to the roll-over. The driver was identified as 59 year old Jeffrey Denman of Brownsburg Indiana. 

I-70 eastbound and westbound was closed in the area for approximately two hours while the fire was extinguished and the scene rendered safe, it is now open.

I-465 southbound ramp to I-70 eastbound will remain closed for several hours while the wreckage is removed. 

The state police were assisted in this investigation by the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, the Indianapolis Fire Department, Indiana Department of Transportation, the Marion County Health Department, Zores Wrecker Service, and Indianapolis EMS

The Office of the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) has filed criminal charges in two counties following its investigation of a nurse who admitted diverting pain medications intended for hospice patients for her personal use.

The nurse, Jennifer L. Daniel, 40, of New Albany, also admitted forging prescriptions for hydrocodone for herself, which she subsequently filled in Clark County.

In Clark County, Daniel faces felony charges of interference with medical services; forgery; and obtaining a controlled substance by fraud, deceit or subterfuge.

In Scott County, she faces a felony charge of interference with medical services.

Prosecutors in those counties gave the MFCU permission to proceed with the prosecution pursuant to a provision of Indiana law designed for that purpose.

The same investigation also led to felony charges being filed by the Floyd County Prosecutor’s Office.

“Health care professionals are trusted to deliver the medication that patients need to treat their conditions,” Attorney General Curtis Hill said.  “When that trust is violated, there must be consequences.”

Daniel was licensed as a registered nurse in Indiana on March 13, 2015.

She was terminated from Southern care Hospice in New Albany for failing to follow the procedure.

Her license currently remains active.

On February 17, 2020, at approximately 7:40 p.m., Trooper William Clark was patrolling in the area of Old US 41, near Alexander Street. 

Trooper Clark stopped a motorcycle for an expired license plate. 

The driver was stopped and criminal activity was detected and a search was conducted. 

Arrested and Charged was Jason A. Mize, 42, Carlisle, IN

• Dealing Methamphetamine, Felony 3
• Dealing a Schedule I, II or III Substance, Felony 6
• Possession of Methamphetamine, Felony 6 
• Possession of Hypodermic Syringe, Felony 6
• Maintaining a Common Nuisance, Felony 6 
• Dealing Marijuana, Class A Misdemeanor 
• Possession of Marijuana, Class B Misdemeanor 
• Possession of Paraphernalia, Class A Misdemeanor

During the search it was discovered that Mize had 60 grams of methamphetamine, six hypodermic syringes, seventeen grams of marijuana, digital scales and paraphernalia, in his possession. 

Mize was arrested and taken to the Sullivan County Jail where he is currently being held.  

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

Rolling slow-downs originally scheduled to begin tonight (Feb. 17) on I-65 south of Columbus (MM 64 to MM 68) in Bartholomew County have been postponed to tomorrow night (Feb. 18) due to weather. The slow-downs are necessary for overhead bridge demolition work at Carr Hill Road. 

Crews will now begin demolition over I-65 SB Tuesday night at 10 p.m. All southbound lanes will close for up to twenty minutes at a time while overhead work is in progress.

Traffic will then be released until normal traffic flow is reached.

Drivers will also be stopped at the exit ramp from S.R. 46 to I-65 SB in Columbus (Exit 68) during this time. Demolition work over I-65 SB is scheduled each night through Friday, Feb. 21.

Crews are expected to begin demolition over I-65 NB at 9 p.m. the following Monday (Feb. 24).

Rolling slow-downs will resume that evening and continue each night through Thursday, Feb. 27.

During all demolition activities, I-65 will be reduced to one lane in each direction. Both directions of I-65 will not close at the same time. Demolition and slow-downs will end by 6 a.m. each morning.

Motorists are encouraged to seek an alternate route to avoid delays or allow extra time when traveling through the area.

Drivers should slow down, use extra caution and drive distraction-free through all work zones. All work is weather dependent and schedules are subject to change.

Carr Hill Road will remain closed through mid-July as bridgework continues.

The detour route is Terrace Lake Road to Goeller Blvd. to S.R. 46. Crews will move to C.R. 200 S. following completion of Carr Hill Road. The contract completion date is November 30, 2020.

A call to 911 about a possible overdose in the Salem Walmart Parking lot resulted in the arrests of three Pekin residents on numerous drug charges. 

Arrested and charged were: 

Darik Voyles, 39, and Lisa M. Voyles, 39, Pekin:

1. Dealing in Methamphetamine – Level 3 Felony
2. Possession of Methamphetamine – Level 5 Felony 
3. Possession of Heroin – Level 6 Felony
4. Possession of a Syringe – Level 6 Felony
5. Possession of Paraphernalia – C Misdemeanor

Amanda Dickerson, 30, Pekin:

1. Possession of Methamphetamine – Level 6 Felony
2. Possession of a Syringe – Level 6 Felony 
3. Possession of Paraphernalia – C Misdemeanor

Around 3:45 on Saturday afternoon, Trooper Kyle Taylor, Washington County Deputy Nathan Maudlin, and Salem Police Officer Tyler Gregory responded to the report of a possible overdose in a vehicle in the Salem Walmart parking lot.

After identifying the vehicle’s three occupants, officers began an investigation, which eventually resulted in a search of the car.

The search uncovered over 10 grams of suspected methamphetamine, heroin, syringes, and paraphernalia.

As a result of the investigation and subsequent search, all three occupants were arrested on drug charges.  

All arrested were transported to the Washington County Jail without further incident.  

Last week, detectives from the Indiana State Police-Versailles Post arrested two officers with the Seymour Police Department on charges of official misconduct, ghost employment, and theft.

The investigation into the officers began in October 2019 when allegations of ghost employment were made against former Chief William “Bill” Abbott, and current Captain Carl Lamb. 

Detectives with the Indiana State Police-Versailles Post were requested to conduct the investigation.

During the four-month investigation, detectives determined that Abbott was employed by Schneck Medical Center to schedule off duty officers to provide security at the hospital. 

The investigation indicated that he allegedly performed his duties for Schneck Medical Center while he was also working in his official capacity with the Seymour Police Department.   

The investigation also determined that Lamb, while on duty as a member of the Seymour Police Department, allegedly worked outside employment for K4 Security out of Jeffersonville, Indiana. 

K4 Security had a contract to provide off duty police officers for work in the construction zone on I-65. 

Lamb coordinated and scheduled off duty Seymour Police Officers to work the security job while he was on duty with the Seymour Police Department. 

He was paid by K4 Security for those hours while also being paid by the Seymour Police Department. 

Lamb also was a part-owner and employee of BSafe Tactical, Seymour, Indiana.  BSafe provided training to area schools, churches, and businesses. 

The investigation determined that Lamb allegedly worked for BSafe Tactical and received payment while also on duty in his official capacity with the Seymour Police Department.

At the conclusion of the investigation, the case was turned over to a special prosecutor for review.  This resulted in felony charges of Official Misconduct, Ghost Employment, and Theft charges being filed on Abbott and Lamb.

Both were taken into custody without incident and incarcerated at the Jackson County Jail.

Both Abbott and Lamb have remained on administrative leave from the Seymour Police Department during the investigation.

No further information will be released about the investigation at this time.