On December 2, 2019, Deputy Johnney Coomer was dispatched to Blocher area in reference to a hit and run.

Upon arrival, Deputy Coomer made contact with the reporting party and driver of one vehicle. He advised that a truck struck the back of his vehicle and refused to stop.

The reporting party followed the truck to a residence in Blocher and attempted to speak with him.

The reporting party observed the driver of the truck to be intoxicated. As Deputy Coomer was taking a statement, the truck in question with the driver was observed driving past them.

Deputy Coomer initiated a traffic stop and make contact with the driver, William Kerrigan, age 31, of Springfield, OH.

Further investigation revealed that Kerrigan appeared to be under the influence and involvement in the accident that was reported.

He was taken into custody and transported to the Scott County Jail.

Kerrigan was charged with OPERATING WHILE INTOXICATED, DISORDERLY CONDUCT, RESISTING LAW ENFORCEMENT, PUBLIC INTOXICATION, OPERATING WHILE INTOXICATED – REFUSAL, and LEAVING THE SCENE OF AN ACCIDENT.

The Clark County Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 181 and Clark County Sheriff‘s Office Shop with a Cop program will take place Wednesday, December 4, 2019, at 5 p.m. Employees of the CCSO will be hosting 40 children on a holiday shopping trip at Jeffersonville Meijer. 

Participants will be transported to Meijer via a caravan of police cars from the Clark County Sheriff‘s Office. Once there, each child receives $300 to spend on gifts for themselves and their families. 

After the shopping spree, participants will be provided with a holiday meal and celebration with special guests, Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus, donated by Lakeside Reflections. 

Funds to support FOP 181 and Clark County Sheriff‘s Office Shop with a Cop Program are raised through donations and events throughout the year. Numerous individuals, businesses, organizations, and employees of the CCSO, help to ensure each year is a success. 

Prior to this year, the Shop with a Cop program was promoted, hosted, and sponsored by the Clark County F.O.P. Lodge 181 solely. This year, Sheriff Jamey Noel and the Clark County Sheriff‘s Office partnered to strengthen the program. 

This year over $20,000 was raised, which far exceeded last year‘s total of under $9000. “Sheriff Noel believes we made a great decision after seeing the results of our partnership with the FOP Lodge 181,” stated Colonel Scottie Maples, “we hope to continue this partnership in the future and greatly appreciate everyone who donated to the program.” 

We are thankful for our generous donors: Volkswagen of Clarksville, On–site Heating and Air, Kevin Puckett Underwriting, Red Ball Recycling, Judge Brad Jacobs, Old Guys Car Club, Children and Family Advocates of Clark County, Isaacs Automotive, Jeremy Snelling, Mayor Mike Moore, R&R Auto Sales, New Washington State Bank, Regina and James Disponett (In loving memory of Dave Disponett), Scottie Maples, Tucker‘s Garage, Hill‘s Auto Sales, Tim Harbin, Lichtefeld INC, Hughbanks Family Insurance, Meijer of Jeffersonville, West Clark Schools, Chris Spencer and Sheriff Jamey Noel. 

Branchville Correctional Facility (BCF) Office of Investigations and Intelligence (OII), and the Warden’s offices announce the arrest of custody officer alleged of Official Misconduct, and Trafficking with an inmate.

The Office of Investigations and Intelligence (OII) began investigating a case of possible staff misconduct and trafficking at Branchville Correctional Facility (BCF) in August 2019.  On the morning of Dec. 2, 2019, Correctional Police officers at BCF, concluded their investigation that resulted in the arrest of Custody Officer Marrisa Swimm, 24 for Offical Misconduct a Level 6 Felony, and Trafficking with an inmate a Class A Misdemeanor.  Swimm was later transported to Perry County Jail, for processing. Information from the investigation is being provided to the Perry County Prosecutor’s Office and may, at the discretion of the Prosecutor, result in additional charges. 

“It is our job to ensure staff remains professional at all times.  We will not tolerate staff misconduct or any attempts to bring contraband into the facility,” said Warden Kathy Alvey.  In response to being notified of the arrest, Warden Alvey commented, “Branchville’s Office of Investigation and Intelligence did outstanding work in bringing this officer to justice.  Branchville will continue to keep our staff, offenders, and community safe.” 

Swimm began her employment with the Indiana Department of Correction as a custody officer on October 29, 2018.  She will be placed on suspension with out pay pending the outcome of the investigation.

The investigation was started and completed internally by the Indiana Department of Correction and resulted in the arrest of Swimm.

About Trafficking:
Trafficking in a correctional facility environment is defined as the act of buying or selling of illegal substances or substances which may be legal but are not permitted in a correctional environment, such as the sale or trade of tobacco products.

About Official Misconduct: 

Official Misconduct in a correctional facility environment is defined as misbehavior and unlawful acts committed by a public official while performing his or her duties. 

On November 29, 2019, Deputy Kenton Makowsky with the Scott County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on US 31 in rural southern Scott County.  An investigation led to the arrest of Sally Stepp, 46, of Underwood, In. for an out of county warrant.  Stepp received additional charges of Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of a Legend Drug, Possession of Paraphernalia and Trafficking with an Inmate. 

On November 30, 2019, Deputy Johnney Coomer conducted a traffic stop in Scottsburg.  An investigation led to the arrest of James Radford, 49, of Bedford for an out of county warrant. 

On November 30, 2019, Deputy Johnney Coomer conducted a traffic stop in Austin.  An investigation led to the arrest of Larry Caudill, 29, of Austin for Operator Never Licensed. 

On December 1, 2019, Deputy Kenton Makowsky conducted a traffic stop in northern Scott County on US 31.  An investigation led to the arrest of Tiffany Skaggs, 20, of Scottsburg for Operator Never Licensed and two counts of Unlawful Possession of a Syringe. 

On December 1, 2019, Reserve Deputy Cory Hulsizer conducted a traffic stop in Scottsburg.  An investigation led to the arrest of Ashton Keith, 19, of Hanover, In. for Invasion of Privacy. 

Last Wednesday, members of the Indiana State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Unit, Cyber Crimes Unit and members of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, including Martinsville Police Officer Lachelle Maurer and FBI Special Agent Todd Prewitt, executed a search warrant at a residence in Greene County.

The issuance of the warrant followed an investigation that led to probable cause into the alleged production and possession of child pornography images.

Task Force members received a cyber tip report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Task Force members with assistance from the Greene County Prosecutor’s Office executed the search warrant at a residence on 4^th Street in Switz City.

Brett Allan Walker, Age 28, was arrested for the following charges;

Child Molest, a Level 1 Felony

Child Exploitation, Level 5 Felony

Possession of Child Pornography, Level 5 Felony

Walker was transported to the Greene County Jail where his custody was transferred.

Corporal David Poynter of the Indiana State Police Capitol Division is an Explosive Detection Canine handler for the Indiana State Police Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) team. He recently began working with a new canine partner, his third for the ISP EOD team.

Explosive Detection Canine Rex (pictured right) was acquired by the department in May 2019 and started a 10-week training process culminating in a three-day certification process by the International Police Working Dog Association (IPWDA). Rex and Poynter displayed their proficiency in both Phase I, which is an odor recognition test, and Phase II. Phase II is an operational test designed to certify the team in locating explosives in a live environment in different areas they may be required to operate in.

Since certification, Rex has been busy providing security sweeps for the Indiana State Fair, responding to bomb threats, and providing security sweeps for Indiana University Football and Basketball games.

Poynter’s previous canine partner, Mela, passed away on September 13, 2019, due to complications with cancer. During her eight-year career, Mela provided security for high profile events like the 100^th Anniversary of the Indianapolis 500, the 2012 Super Bowl, and visits to Indiana by U.S. Presidents and other Dignitaries. On average, Mela completed about 300 details a year covering the Indiana State Fair, Indiana Judges Conferences, demonstrations to the public, Notre Dame Football, Indiana University Basketball, and protecting the citizens of the great State of Indiana through routine sweeps of the Statehouse.