Earlier this evening, December 19, 2019, the 79^th Indiana State Police Recruit Academy completed its graduation ceremony in the Indiana State Capitol Rotunda. Opening remarks were made by Indiana State Police Superintendent Douglas G. Carter and Indiana Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch, followed by a commencement address from Mr. James R. White, a retired Indiana State Police Lieutenant.  

After the commencement address, the oath of office for the 37 new State Police officers was delivered by The Honorable Justice Christopher M. Goff, of the Indiana Supreme Court.  Each new trooper was then presented their badge and official identification by Superintendent Carter and his staff.

Today’s graduation marked the culmination of 25 weeks of intense training which totaled nearly 1,100 hours. Some subject areas of training included criminal and traffic law, crash investigations, emergency vehicle operations, defensive tactics, firearms, and a host of other subjects related to modern policing.

Each graduating trooper will be assigned to one of 14 State Police Posts across Indiana. Once at their assigned district, the new troopers will spend the next three months working side by side with a series of experienced Field Training Officers.

The purpose of the field training is to put to practical application the training received over the duration of the formal academy training. Upon successful completion of field training, the new troopers will be assigned a state police patrol vehicle and will begin solo patrol in their assigned district.

* Included below is the graduation ceremony program that also lists each new trooper’s name and their assigned district. 

Millions of Americans will be traveling over this Christmas and New Year’s Holiday period, with the majority traveling by automobile. What this means for Hoosiers is more traffic on the highways. To help ensure the safety of all motorists, the Indiana State Police will be participating in Operation C.A.R.E., or Combined Accident Reduction Effort, from December 22nd through January 2^nd.

Operation C.A.R.E. is a federally funded program that allows additional troopers to patrol Hoosier roadways looking for drivers that are driving aggressively or impaired. Please help do your part to make this Christmas-New Year’s Holiday travel period safe by observing the following safety rules:

• When planning to travel, make sure you are well-rested, as a fatigued driver is a dangerous driver
• Increase your following distance; remember the two-second rule
• Watch for slowed or stopped traffic when approaching construction zones or crash sites
• Leave a car length between you and the vehicle in front of you in stopped traffic. Watch approaching traffic in your mirror and be prepared to take evasive action
• Decrease your speed according to traffic and road conditions
• Beware of bridges, overpasses and intersections where ice tends to form first during cold inclement weather
• Be courteous to your fellow motorists.  Turn signals when changing lanes help to eliminate road rage incidents
• Make sure everyone in your vehicle is properly restrained, including making sure Child Safety Seats are properly anchored and that children stay securely fastened in them
• DON’T BE DISTRACTED-Pull over and stop to use electronic devices
• DON’T DRIVE IMPAIRED-Have a designated driver or use a ride-sharing service
• MOVE OVER and SLOW DOWN for emergency and highway service vehicles
• Don’t “hang out” in the left lane.  This is one of the most common triggers for a road rage incident.  Always drive in the right lane except to pass a slower moving vehicle

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, safety belt use is the most effective strategy a person can employ to prevent death and minimize injury resulting from traffic collisions. Motorists are encouraged to report aggressive or suspected impaired drivers by calling 911.  Give a vehicle description, location, and direction of travel.  

The Indiana State Police Lowell District #13 wishes everyone a safe and happy holiday season.

Today, a Madison, Indiana man, who is already serving a prison sentence for Battery with Bodily Injury to a Minor was arrested by Indiana State Police Detectives on a charge of Child Molesting.

In February of this year, Indiana State Police Detective Nathaniel Adams arrested Christian Chase, age 25, Madison, Indiana on charges of Battery with Bodily Injury to a Minor and Neglect of a Dependent. The charges stemmed from a nine-month investigation into allegations that Chase battered a child that was under his care in March and April 2018.  As a result of the original investigation, Chase was sentenced to four years incarceration in the Indiana Department of Corrections.

Since the original investigation, detectives obtained information that Chase had allegedly molested a child in his care during the same time frame that the original battery offense occurred.  Through an interview with a forensic interviewer with the Child Advocacy Center, the victim indicated that Chase molested him while he was in the care of Chase in 2018.

At the conclusion of the investigation, the case, with the new allegations, was presented to the Jefferson County Prosecutor’s Office.  As a result, a warrant out of the Jefferson County Circuit Court was issued for the arrest of Christian Chase, now age 26, on a count of Child Molesting, Level One Felony. 

Detectives with the Indiana State Police-Versailles District served the arrest warrant today on Chase, who is currently incarcerated at the Plainfield Correctional Facility, Plainfield, Indiana.  He will remain in the Plainfield Correctional Facility pending his initial appearance in the Jefferson County Circuit Court on the new charge.

Attached:  Original Arrest Photo of Christian Chase

Det. Adams was assisted by Det. Andrew Mitchell, ISP-Versailles and the Indiana Child Advocacy Center.

Seth Purlee has been named Salem Community Schools Teacher of the Month for November.

Seth was selected from many nominations.

One nomination said, “ Mr. Purlee is dedicated to his students and to the FFA. His effort goes unrecognized.”

Another nomination said, “Mr. Purlee gives of his personal time to make sure his students are successful and have what they need.”  We want to thank everyone for their nominations.

Mr. Purlee received a Yeti Cup from WSLM, a t-shirt form Linck’s, a pull-apart Cinnamon Desert from Papa Johns and a bucket of goodies from Texas Roadhouse.

Two deer hunters found a female body in a field near Hardinsburg yesterday evening and called 911 at approximately 5:34p. 

The Washington County Sheriff’s Department was dispatched to the scene along with the Indiana State Police.

Peg Shell, Washington County Coronor said the two deer hunters found the body and thought it was a deer carcass and called the police. 

Shell said the body was identified as a 40-year-old Hardinsburg woman. 

ISP Sgt. Carey Huls said there would be no further details because there was no foul play suspected.

“We made contact with the family and next of kin has been notified,” said Huls. “We had detectives on the scene and it is being handled as a death investigation.”

What started with a dispatch to be on the lookout for a stolen vehicle, ended with the arrest of a Kentucky man on several felony charges including possession of a stolen vehicle, drugs, and felony gun charges. 

25-year-old Austin T. Gayheart, of Viper, Kentucky, was arrested and charged with the following: 

1. Possession of Firearm by Serious Violent Felon – Level 4 Felony. 
2. Possession of Methamphetamine – Level 5 Felony
3. Possession of Heroin – Level 5 Felony
4. Possession of a Controlled Substance – Level 6 Felony
5. Resisting Law Enforcement – Level 6 Felony 
6. Possession of Stolen Property – Level 6 Felony 
7. Resisting Law Enforcement – A Misdemeanor
8. Possession of Marijuana – B Misdemeanor

Around 7:40 Wednesday morning, Indiana State Police Radio dispatched information on a blue, 2001 Chevrolet Blazer that had just been reported stolen to the Salem Police Department.

The vehicle was reported stolen just minutes before the dispatch and was believed to still be in the area.

A short time later, Trooper Kyle Taylor observed the vehicle headed eastbound on SR56 just east of Salem.

Trooper Taylor attempted to stop the vehicle; however, the driver refused to stop and attempted to flee. Trooper Taylor gave pursuit, following the vehicle as it continued east on SR 56 before turning north on Elk Creek Road.

The pursuit continued on county roads before the driver lost control turning north onto SR39 from Mill Road, driving off the east side of the roadway and into a muddy ditch.

The driver fled on foot before being apprehended by Trooper Taylor.  

Once in custody, Gayheart, a convicted felon, was found in possession of a loaded pistol as well as suspected methamphetamine, heroin, and marijuana.  

Trooper Kyle Taylor was assisted by officers from the Salem Police Department, the Washington County Sheriff’s Department, and the Scott County Sheriff’s Department. 

Officer James Moore of the Salem Police Department advised he would also be charging Gayheart with Vehicle Theft and conducting that part of the investigation.  

Last night at approximately 7:20, Trooper Widner was patrolling in the area of US 41 and Yokel Road when he stopped the driver of a 2006 Ford Mustang for failing to signal when required.

The driver was identified as Brandy Newcom, 39, of Morganfield, KY. Suspicious activity was detected and a search of the vehicle was conducted.

She was arrested and charged with:

1. Possession of Methamphetamine, Level 6 Felony
2. Possession of a Controlled Substance, Class A Misdemeanor
3. Possession of Paraphernalia, Class C Misdemeanor

Troopers located approximately 2.3 grams of methamphetamine, a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia.

Newcom also had an active warrant out of Vanderburgh County for theft. Newcom was arrested and taken to the Vanderburgh County Jail where she is currently being held without bond.

Last night at approximately 9:50, Trooper Widner was patrolling in the area of US 41near Lynch Road when he stopped the driver of a 2002 Lexus for making an unsafe lane change.

The driver was identified as Destennie Holtzclaw, 23, of Evansville.

She was arrested and charged with:

1. Dealing Methamphetamine, Level 2 Felony
2. Possession of Methamphetamine, Level 3 Felony
3. Possession of a Look-a-Like Substance, Class A Misdemeanor
4. Possession of Paraphernalia, Class C Misdemeanor

While talking to the driver an odor of marijuana was detected from inside the vehicle.

A search of the vehicle was conducted and troopers found approximately 23 grams of methamphetamine, two THC gummies, and drug paraphernalia.

Further investigation revealed Holtzclaw was dealing with the suspected methamphetamine.

Holtzclaw was arrested and taken to the Vanderburgh County Jail where she is currently being held without bond.