On October 21, 2019, a Crawford County, Indiana man, Dennis R. Burgdorf, was sentenced to a lengthy prison sentence as a result of a guilty plea to the crimes of Possession and Dealing in Illegal Drugs.

Burgdorf was initially arrested after a lengthy investigation by the Indiana State Police in November 2018. 

Burgdorf was initially charged with Dealing in Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Cocaine or Narcotic Drug and Dealing in Methamphetamine at least 5 grams but less than 10 Grams.

Burgdorf plead guilty to two level 3 felonies and will serve 17 years in the Indiana Department of Corrections.

On November 27, 2019, the Jasper State Police All Crimes Policing Unit served warrants on three (3) High Profile wanted persons within the Jasper District.

• 1. Arrested on warrants from Crawford County Circuit Court was Jeremy Mercer of Taswell, Indiana on the charges of 3 counts of Dealing in Methamphetamine, and 2 counts of Possession of Methamphetamine. Totaling 5 felony charges and incarcerated in the Crawford County Jail
• 2. Arrested on warrants from Crawford County Circuit Court was Stacey Lynch of Leavenworth, Indiana on the charges of 3 counts of Dealing in Methamphetamine, 1 count of Possession of Methamphetamine and 1 count of Maintaining a Common Nuisance-Controlled Substance. Totaling 5 felony charges and incarcerated in the Crawford County Jail.
• 3. Arrested on warrants from Spencer County Circuit Court was Steven M. Pointer of St. Meinrad, Indiana on a warrant for Revocation of Probation. Mr. Pointer was incarcerated in the Spencer County Jail and is being held on bail of $200,000.00

If you would like to report a wanted person or a crime you can contact the Indiana State Police at Jasper 24 hours a day 365 days a year at 812-482-1441.

Around 1:30 this morning emergency crews responded to a serious crash in the westbound lanes of I-70 at the 75.4-mile marker.

911 callers were reporting a pick-up truck and semi had collided and the load from the semi was spread across the interstate.

When Trooper Ty Mays arrived he found one person seriously injured lying on the hood of the pick-up truck. Another person was entrapped in the pick-up and was injured.

The driver of the semi and a passenger in the semi both suffered injuries and were transported to the hospital.

Trooper Mays was told the driver of the pick-up fled the scene on foot. A short time later, the person thought to be the driver, was located by the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.

During the investigation Troopers determined the man who fled the scene was in fact not the driver, he was a passenger in the pick-up truck. The driver, 36-year-old Jacob Martin of Indianapolis, was the man found lying on the hood of the truck. He was not ejected, it was determined he got out of the truck and walked around to the passenger side where he laid on the hood.

Martin was transported to the hospital with serious injuries. One passenger in the truck had to be extricated by the Wayne Township Fire Department and was also transported to the hospital with serious injuries. 

According to investigating officers, the pick-up truck passed the semi in the right-hand side, then started weaving all over the road from lane to lane. A collision occurred causing the semi to hit a roadside sign support which ripped the semi-trailer open spilling clothing all over the roadway. I-70 westbound was closed for several hours while Zore’s Wrecker Service cleaned up the scene.

An Indiana State Police Crash Reconstructionist also responded to the scene to assist with the investigation. 

Investigators believe drugs or alcohol could be a factor in this crash however no arrest has been made.

Any charges will be determined by the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office after reviewing the case. 

An investigation into alleged illegal Steroid possession and distribution by a Scott County Deputy who lives in Salem has resulted in his arrest as well as the arrest of a Scott County reserve officer on related charges.

In the early morning hours of November 28, and as a result of their investigation, Troopers arrested Joe Don Baker, 39, of Salem. 

Baker is charged with Conspiracy to Deal in Steroids – Level 6 Felony,  Official Misconduct  – Level 6 Felony, Possession of Hypodermic Needle – Level 6 Felony, and Possession of Schedule III Controlled Substance – Class A Misdemeanor. 

Also charged is Scott County Reserve Officer Phillip E. Thomas, 32, of Scottsburg.  Thomas is charged with Possession of a Schedule III Controlled Substance – Class A Misdemeanor. 

Both Baker and Thomas were remanded into the custody of the Scott County Jail without incident.

On Monday, Scott County Sheriff Jerry Goodin received information of possible illegal steroid use and distribution by Deputy Baker. 

Acting on this information, Sheriff Goodin immediately contacted Indiana State Police Superintendent Doug Carter and requested an investigation into the allegation.

Undercover officers from the Sellersburg Post Drug Enforcement Section were assigned and began their investigation on Tuesday. 

A 50-year-old Scottsburg man was killed early this morning after his car collided with a vehicle driven by a Salem woman.

The two-vehicle crash sent several others to Louisville Hospitals. 

On November 28th, at approximately 12:49 a.m., Scott County Dispatch received the initial call of a two-vehicle crash on SR56 near SR39. 

Scott County Deputies were the first units to arrive and soon requested assistance from the Indiana State Police (ISP) and ISP Crash Reconstructionists.

Investigators believe that a black, 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier, driven by Victor Colon, 50, of Scottsburg, was southbound on SR39 approaching the stop sign at the intersection of SR56.

This intersection is in eastern Washington County near the Scott County line.  At the same time, a silver, 2017 Ford Escape, driven by Stephanie Barnett, 35, Salem, was westbound on SR56 approaching the same intersection. 

Preliminary information reveals that the Cavalier likely pulled out onto SR56 in front of the Ford Escape, causing the Escape to collide with the Cavalier, knocking it off the roadway.   

Barnett was transported to University of Louisville Hospital (University) by ambulance, and her two juvenile passengers were transported by ambulance to Norton’s Children’s Hospital. 

Victor Colon was pronounced dead at the scene by the Washington County Coroner.  The passenger of Colon’s vehicle, Barbara M. Hall, 55, Scottsburg, was airlifted to University Hospital. 

The Use of drugs or alcohol is unknown at this time; however, the investigation is ongoing.

ISP units were assisted by the Scott County Sheriff’s Department, the Washington County Sheriff’s Department, The Scottsburg City Police Department, Scott County EMS, Scott County Fire, the Washington County Coroner, and All-Around Towing.

On November 25, 2019, Deputy Josh Juliot with the Scott County Sheriff’s Office responded to New Frankfort road in reference to a suspicious male.  Upon arrival, an investigation led to the arrest of Eric Long, 38, of Deputy for Public Intoxication, Criminal Trespass and Unauthorized Entry of a Motor Vehicle. 

On November 25, 2019, Deputies Kenton Makowsky and Josh Juliot went to an address on Hyland Street in Scottsburg in an attempt to serve an outstanding arrest warrant.  Upon arrival Alyssa Snipp, 29, of Scottsburg was arrested on a warrant for Possession of Methamphetamine and Possession of Paraphernalia. 

A late-night, rural patrol and traffic stop ended with the arrest of four individuals on various charges including possession of Heroin. 

On November 25th, 2019, at approximately 10:27 PM, Trooper Kyle Taylor was patrolling on county roads in rural Washington County in the area of Little York. 

Trooper Taylor initiated a traffic stop on a purple 1997 Chevrolet Camaro for a stop sign violation.

During the stop, the driver was found to be driving on a suspended driver’s license, and Trooper Taylor continued the investigation, requesting the assistance of Deputy Paul Ginkins and his K9 partner, Lenny. 

As a result of the continued investigation, approximately 3 grams of heroin was located in the vehicle, along with several hypodermic needles and drug paraphernalia.

The following were arrested:

Daniel Abner, 34, Madison, IN: Driving While Suspended Prior – C Misdemeanor

Travis Hill, 30, Little York, IN Dealing in Heroin – Level 4 Felony,  Possession of Heroin – Level 6 Felony, Possession of a Syringe – Level 6 Felony, Possession of Paraphernalia – A Misdemeanor, Visiting a Common Nuisance – C Misdemeanor.

Tayah Harris, 20, Riverview, FL:  Possession of Syringe -Level 6 Felony, Visiting a Common Nuisance C  -Misdemeanor,  Possession of Paraphernalia  -A Misdemeanor.

Anna Smith, 23, Scottsburg, IN:  Possession of Syringe -Level 6 Felony, Possession of Paraphernalia –  A Misdemeanor, Visiting a Common Nuisance – C Misdemeanor.