Police arrested 36 adults and 1 juvenile, with over 115 criminal charges being filed on Friday in a drug sweep of Jefferson County. 

On Wednesday, December 4^th, 2019, The Indiana State Police Versailles Post All Crimes Policing (ACP) Team in conjunction with the Ohio Valley Crime Suppression Task Force (OVCSTF) and the Indiana State Police Drug Enforcement Section conducted a drug arrest warrant round up in Jefferson County, Indiana. The OVCSTF consists of officers from the Indiana State Police-Versailles Post, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office,

Hanover Police Department, Switzerland County Sheriff’s Office, and the Jefferson County Prosecutor’s Office.  Over the past year, the ACP Team and OVCSTF have been actively investigating drug complaints in Jefferson County, Indiana. 

These investigations were presented to the Jefferson County Prosecutor on December 3^rd, 2019, resulting in numerous arrest warrants being issued in relation to these cases.  The warrants were issued out of both the Jefferson Superior and Circuit courts.

On December 4^th, 2019, officers from the ISP ACP Team and the OVCSTF began serving the warrants and continued to locate wanted individuals into the next day. 

While serving the warrants, officers discovered new evidence of drug activity occurring at multiple locations where the warrants were served.  Based on this newly discovered drug activity, multiple individuals were arrested that were not part of the original round up and over 60 new criminal charges were filed, most of which were drug offenses. 

Out of the warrants issued, officers were able to located 20 of the wanted individuals. 

The following individuals were arrested in the round up:

BENJAMIN LINVILLE, Madison, Indiana

Warrant:                  Maintaining a common nuisance, level 6 felony

New Charges:         Maintaining a common nuisance, Level 6 felony

                                Possession of methamphetamine, Level 6 felony

                                Possession of paraphernalia, Class B misdemeanor

DEANNA COX, Madison, Indiana

Warrant:                   Possession of a syringe, level 6 felony

                                Maintaining a common nuisance, level 6 felony

                                Possession of paraphernalia, class C misdemeanor

New Charges:         Maintaining a common nuisance, Level 6 felony

                                Possession of marijuana, class B misdemeanor

MELLISSA TERRY, Madison, Indiana

Warrant:                   Dealing in methamphetamine, level 5 felony

                                Possession of methamphetamine, level 6 felony

                                Maintaining a common nuisance, level 6 felony

                                Possession of a legend drug, level 6 felony

                                Possession of marijuana, class B misdemeanor

                                Possession of paraphernalia, class C misdemeanor

New Charges:         Maintaining a common, Level 6 felony

                                Possess. Methamphetamine, Level 6 felony

                                Possess. Paraphernalia, class B misdemeanor

MICHAEL LAMB, Madison, Indiana

Warrant:                  Possession of a syringe, level 6 felony

                                Maintaining a common nuisance, level 6 felony

                                Possession of paraphernalia, class C misdemeanor

New Charges:         Maintaining a common nuisance, level 6 felony

                                Possession of paraphernalia, class B misdemeanor

TRAVIS HAGGARD, Madison, Indiana

New Charges:         Possession of methamphetamine, level 6 felony

                                Possession of para, class B misdemeanor

SUSAN BLAIR, Madison, Indiana

New Charges:    Maintaining a common nuisance, level 6 felony

CLINTON LINVILLE, Madison, Indiana

New Charges:         Possession of methamphetamine, level 6 felony

                                Maintaining a common nuisance, level 6 felony

STEVEN WITHROW, Madison, Indiana

New Charges:         Visiting a common nuisance class B misdemeanor

                                Possession of marijuana, class B misdemeanor

JOSHUA R. TORRANCE, Madison, Indiana

Warrant                   Maintaining a common nuisance, level 6 felony

                                Operating a vehicle while suspended, class A misdemeanor

New Charges:         Possession of a syringe, level 6 felony,

                                Visiting a common nuisance, class B misdemeanor

                                Possession of marijuana, class C misdemeanor

                                Contributing to the delinquency of a minor, level 6 felony

DAHLILA JESTER, Madison, Indiana

New Charges:         Possession of Methamphetamine, level 6 felony

                                Possession of paraphernalia, class C misdemeanor

                                Visiting a common nuisance, class B misdemeanor

                                Contributing to the delinquency of a minor, level 6 felony

SHAQUEL LUSHAY, Madison, Indiana

New Charges:         Possession of Methamphetamine, level 6 felony

                                Maintaining a common nuisance, level 6 felony

                                Possession of a syringe, level 6 felony

                                Contributing to the delinquency of a minor, level 6 felony

ANDREW BOSHEARS, Madison, Indiana

New Charges:    Possession of methamphetamine, Level 6 felony,

                           Visiting a common nuisance, class B misdemeanor

                          Contributing to the delinquency of a minor, level 6 felony

COREY LANE, Madison, Indiana

New Charges:         False Informing, class A misdemeanor

                                Visiting a common nuisance, class B misdemeanor

                                Contributing to the delinquency of a minor, level 6 felony

JUVENILE FEMALE, Madison, Indiana

New Charges:         Possession of methamphetamine, level 6 felony

                                Visiting a common nuisance, class B misdemeanor

ANNE STIDHAM, Madison, Indiana

Warrant:                  Possession of a syringe, level 6 felony

                                Possession of paraphernalia, class C misdemeanor

New Charges:         Possession of a syringe, level 6 felony

JASON COOK, Madison, Indiana

Warrant:                  Possession of methamphetamine, level 6 felony

New Charges:         Possession of a syringe, level 6 felony

                                Possession of methamphetamine, level 6 felony

                                Possession of paraphernalia, class C misdemeanor

ASHLEY PRUITT, Madison, Indiana

Warrant:                  Possession of methamphetamine, level 6 felony

                                Maintaining a common nuisance, level 6 felony

                                Possession of paraphernalia, class C misdemeanor

New Charges:         Maintaining a common nuisance, level 6 felony

                                Possession of methamphetamine, level 6 felony

                                Possession of a legend drug, level 6 felony

                                Possession of a controlled substance, class A misdemeanor

REBECCA LAUGHERY, Madison, Indiana

New Charges:         Visiting a common nuisance, Class B misdemeanor

                                Possession of methamphetamine, level 6 felony

RICKY ERWIN, Madison, Indiana

New Charges:         Visiting a common nuisance, Class B misdemeanor

                                Possession of methamphetamine, level 6 felony

CHARLES HAMMON, Madison, Indiana

New Charges:         Visiting a common nuisance, Class B misdemeanor

                                Possession of methamphetamine, level 6 felony

ZACHARIAH ERWIN, Madison, Indiana

New Charges:         Visiting a common nuisance, Class B misdemeanor

                                Possession of methamphetamine, level 6 felony

JUSTIN SMALLWOOD, Madison, Indiana

New Charges:         Visiting a common nuisance, Class B misdemeanor

                                Possession of methamphetamine, level 6 felony

JOSHUA LAKE, Madison, Indiana

Warrant:                   Possession of a syringe, level 6 felony

                                Maintaining a common nuisance, level 6 felony

BEEBE BROOKS, Madison, Indiana

Warrant:                 Possession of paraphernalia, class C misdemeanor

LOGAN DEATON, Hanover, Indiana

Warrant:               Dealing Marijuana, level 6 felony

New Charges:       Possession of marijuana, class A misdemeanor

JOANN BROOKS, Madison, Indiana

Warrant:                  Possession of methamphetamine, level 6 felony

                                Maintaining a common nuisance, level 6 felony

New Charges:         Maintaining a common nuisance, level 6 felony

MICHAEL MALONE, Madison, Indiana

New Charges:         Possession of methamphetamine, level 6 felony

                                Possession of paraphernalia, class C misdemeanor

                                Visiting a common nuisance, Class B misdemeanor

DARION PATCH, Madison, Indiana

New Charges:         Visiting a common nuisance, Class B misdemeanor

                                Possession of a controlled substance, Class A misdemeanor

MORGAN ROWLISON, Madison, Indiana

Warrant:                   Dealing methamphetamine, level 3 felony

                                Possession of methamphetamine, level 5 felony

TONI ROWLETT, Madison, Indiana

Warrant:                  Maintaining a common nuisance, level 6 felony

                                Possession of paraphernalia, class c misdemeanor

New Charges:         Possession of methamphetamine, level 6 felony

                                Maintaining a common nuisance, level 6 felony

                                Possession of a controlled substance, Class A misdemeanor

                                Possession of marijuana, Class C misdemeanor

                                Possession of paraphernalia, Class A misdemeanor

SARA ESTELL, Madison, Indiana

New Charges:         Battery with a deadly weapon, level 6 felony     

                                Possession of marijuana, Class C misdemeanor

DONALD LAMB, Madison, Indiana:

Warrant:                  Visiting a common nuisance, class B misdemeanor

JASON SCROGGINS, Madison, Indiana

Warrant:                  Possession of methamphetamine, level 6 felony

                                Possession of a legend drug, level 6 felony

                                Possession of a syringe, level 6 felony

ROCHELLE SINGLETON, Madison, Indiana

Warrant:                  Possession of methamphetamine, level 6 felony

                                Possession of marijuana, class B misdemeanor

                                Possession of paraphernalia, class C misdemeanor

ELIZABETH HAMM, Madison, Indiana

Warrant:                   Possession of methamphetamine, level 6 felony

                                Possession of a syringe, level 6 felony

                                Maintaining a common nuisance, level 6 felony

                                Possession of paraphernalia, Class C misdemeanor

JAMES COOMER, Madison, Indiana

Warrant:                   Possession of methamphetamine, level 6 felony

                                Maintaining a common nuisance, level 6 felony

                                Possession of a syringe, level 6 felony

                                Possession of paraphernalia, class C misdemeanor

CHARLES HOLLINS, Madison, Indiana

Warrant:                  Dealing in methamphetamine, level 5 felony

                                Possession of methamphetamine, level 6 felony

                                Possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon, level 4 felony

                                Maintaining a common nuisance, level 6 felony

                                Possession of paraphernalia, class C misdemeanor

The Indiana State Police-Versailles ACP Team will continue to proactively pursue those engaging in the distribution and use of controlled substances.  The Indiana State Police encourages citizens to report any information regarding such activities.  Citizens can report information to the Indiana State Police Versailles Post at 812-689-5000 or the Ohio Valley Crime Suppression Task Force at 833-493-TIPS(8477).  Callers may remain anonymous.

Friday afternoon, a probation compliance check, in Kokomo, IN, led to the arrests of Justin D. Harrison, 31 and Sharitina Shepard, 42, both from Kokomo, IN.

The couple was incarcerated in the Howard County Jail to face charges for possession of methamphetamine, two counts for possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, maintaining a common nuisance, neglect of a dependent, possession of a hypodermic syringe, possession of heroin, and obstruction of justice.

Harrison faces an additional charge for dealing methamphetamine.

Friday at approximately 3:11 p.m., Troopers Steven Glass and Jon Cole were requested, by the Howard County Probation Office, to assist their officers with a compliance check on Harrison’s residence at 800 E. Hoffer Street, Apt. B 26, in Kokomo, IN.  

While assisting with the check, troopers allegedly observed, in plain view, a plastic bag containing suspected methamphetamine.  

During a subsequent search of the apartment, the officer purportedly found heroin, methamphetamine, prescription pills, syringes, a digital scale, marijuana, approximately $556.00 in United States currency, and drug paraphernalia. Harrison and Shepard were taken into custody.

Shepard lives in the apartment with Harrison and was present during the check.

The couple’s eight-year-old daughter and two-year-old son were also at the apartment. They were released into the care of the Howard County Division of the Indiana Department of Child Services.

This is an ongoing investigation.  

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

Friday evening, December 6, 2019, the body of a North Vernon, Indiana man, who was reported missing earlier in the day, was located in his crashed vehicle on State Road 3 near County Road 650 South in rural Jennings County.

The Jennings County Sheriff’s Office initially took a missing person report earlier in the day after Jimmy W. Turner, age 69, North Vernon, Indiana went missing while he was delivering papers in southern Jennings County. 

Troopers from the Indiana State Police-Versailles Post assisted officers from the Jennings County Sheriff’s Office in attempting to locate Turner. 

When Turner and his vehicle were not located during an initial search of the area, a more thorough search of the area was organized for later in the day including police, local fire departments, and volunteers. 

At approximately 9:30 pm, a vehicle was spotted overturned in water off the west side of State Road 3.  When emergency crews arrived on scene, Turner was located inside of the vehicle.  He was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Jennings County Coroner’s Office.

The initial crash investigation by Trooper David Owsley determined that, at approximately 7:00 am, Turner was traveling southbound on State Road 3 near County Road 650 South in a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox when the vehicle left the west side of the roadway for an unknown reason. 

The vehicle overturned into a creek out of the view of passing motorists and there were no witnesses to the crash.      

The investigation into the crash is ongoing at this time.

The Indiana State Police was assisted by the Jennings County Sheriff’s Office, Jennings County EMS, numerous Jennings County fire departments, Jennings County Coroner’s Office, and multiple volunteers.    

10U – Intermediate 67 – Zane Burris’s place is unknown and has scored 0.0 team points.

• Champ. Round 1 – Zane Burris (Senator Wrestling Club) received a bye () (Bye)
• Champ. Round 2 – Toa Lemaota (Nashville Catholic Wrestling) won by decision over Zane Burris (Senator Wrestling Club) (Dec 9-3)
• Cons. Round 2 – Zane Burris (Senator Wrestling Club) received a bye () (Bye)
• Cons. Round 3 – Jeremy Miears (The Alliance Wrestling Academy) won by fall over Zane Burris (Senator Wrestling Club) (Fall 0:46)

10U – Intermediate 84 – Hayden Bowers’s place is unknown and has scored 0.0 team points.

• Champ. Round 1 – Hayden Bowers (Senator Wrestling Club) received a bye () (Bye)
• Quarterfinal – Dalton Pattee (Nolensville Wrestling Club) won by major decision over Hayden Bowers (Senator Wrestling Club) (Maj 13-0)
• Cons. Round 2 – Hayden Bowers (Senator Wrestling Club) received a bye () (Bye)
• Cons. Round 3 – Cooper Caudill (WARHAWKS WRESTLING CLUB) won by fall over Hayden Bowers (Senator Wrestling Club) (Fall 0:57)

10U – Intermediate 105 – Tommy Hamilton’s place is 2nd and has scored 16.0 team points.

• Quarterfinal – Tommy Hamilton (Senator Wrestling Club) won by decision over Phillip Sullivan (Fern Creek Youth Wrestling) (Dec 5-2)
• Semifinal – Tommy Hamilton (Senator Wrestling Club) won by fall over Keith Chapman (WARHAWKS WRESTLING CLUB) (Fall 0:18)
• 1st Place Match – Easton Glanville (South Oldham Youth Wrestling C) won by fall over Tommy Hamilton (Senator Wrestling Club) (Fall 1:26)

12U- Novice 160 – Isaac Worley’s place is 4th and has scored 7.0 team points.

• Quarterfinal – Isaac Worley (Senator Wrestling Club) received a bye () (Bye)
• Semifinal – Jaydan Claridy (Colts Wrestling) won by fall over Isaac Worley (Senator Wrestling Club) (Fall 0:16)
• Cons. Semi – Isaac Worley (Senator Wrestling Club) won by fall over Logan Rudd (Woodford County) (Fall 1:00)
• 3rd Place Match – Gavin Blake (Wildcats Wrestling) won by fall over Isaac Worley (Senator Wrestling Club) (Fall 1:56)

Middle School 121 – Julian Worley’s place is unknown and has scored 0.0 team points.

• Champ. Round 1 – Julian Worley (Senator Wrestling Club) received a bye () (Bye)
• Champ. Round 2 – Dakota Pattee (Nolensville Wrestling Club) won by fall over Julian Worley (Senator Wrestling Club) (Fall 0:58)
• Cons. Round 2 – Julian Worley (Senator Wrestling Club) received a bye () (Bye)
• Cons. Round 3 – Nathan Votaw (Oldham County Middle School) won by decision over Julian Worley (Senator Wrestling Club) (Dec 6-4)

On December 3, 2019, Deputies James Ward and Johnney Coomer went to an address on Bogardus Road in an attempt to serve an outstanding arrest warrant.  Upon arrival Jacob Logsdon, 22, of Austin was arrested on an outstanding warrant for Failure to Appear on a Battery Charge. 

On December 3, 2019, Deputy Johnney Coomer and Austin Police Officers Cody Kelly and Cody Newsome went to an address on Rice Street in Austin in an attempt to serve an outstanding arrest warrant.  Upon arrival Jonathan Terry, 41, of Austin was arrested on an outstanding warrant for Possession of Methamphetamine. 

A 42-Year-Old Secretary from Mt. Vernon has been accused of stealing over $18,000 from Posey Co. Sheriff’s Office

Trinity Tucker, 42, of Mt. Vernon, was the secretary for the Posey County Sheriff’s Office and was responsible for the bank account during the time funds were missing.

After reviewing the investigation, criminal charges were filed by Posey County Prosecutor Thomas Clowers.

Thursday afternoon at approximately 3:45, Tucker was arrested after surrendering to Indiana State Police at the Posey County Jail where she posted bond and was released.

She was charged with 4 counts of Theft, all Class 6 Felonies. 

The alleged missing funds occurred during former Sheriff Greg Oeth’s term in office.

Indiana State Police initiated a criminal investigation in August after the discovery of missing funds from the Posey County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff Tom Latham contacted the Indiana State Board of Accounts for an in-depth review of their account. The Indiana State Board of Accounts conducted an audit and revealed money was missing from the Posey County Sheriff’s Office.

The audit also revealed Tucker was the secretary for the Posey County Sheriff’s Office and was responsible for the bank account during the time funds were missing.

The alleged missing funds occurred during former Sheriff Greg Oeth’s term in office.

Further investigation revealed Tucker was responsible for collecting all money coming into the sheriff’s office and for making all deposits into their bank account.

Between January 2015 and December 2018, Tucker allegedly stole $18,621.37 from the Posey County Sheriff’s Office. Tucker resigned from her position in February 2019.

Investigating Officer: Detective Tim Denby, Indiana State Police Special Investigations, Organized Crime and Corruption Section