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.

Tuesday officers with the Washington County Drug Team, Washington County Sheriff’s Department and the Indiana State Police executed a controlled buy-bust at 425 S. Sycamore Street in Campbellsburg, Indiana.

Deborah Matlock, age 63 of Campbellsburg was arrested on dealing Methamphetamine and possession of Methamphetamine related charges.

The arrest lead officers to apply for a search warrant for an apartment at the complex.

After receiving and executing a search warrant, at the complex, officers located and seized more Methamphetamine and other drug-related items.

The Paoli Police Department is looking for two people who are believed to have fired gunshots outside of Walmart in Paoli on Tuesday. 

On December 17 on or about 7:13 pm the Paoli Police Department was notified of what was believed to be multiple shots fired in the parking lot of Walmart at 735 N Gospel St. Paoli, Indiana.

There were no injuries. 

Initial investigation determined there were in fact several shots fired by two individuals.

This incident is believed to be isolated and no longer active.

It is believed there is no continuing danger for Paoli residents.

If anyone has any information pertaining to this incident, please contact Detective Shane Staggs with the Indiana State Police Jasper Post at 1-800-742-7475 or Detective Brandon Mesarosh with the Paoli Police Department at 812-723-2836

The Indiana Court of Appeals has overturned the murder conviction of Joshua Risinger, who was arrested and tried for setting a 2017 fire at his trailer that killed a homeless man, saying police “failed to scrupulously honor″ his right to remain silent.

Risinger appealed with several arguments, including that the trial court wrongly allowed statements he made to police where he said, “I’m done talking.″

In an opinion issued this month, the appeals court agreed. The three-judge panel said while Risinger could’ve been clearer in invoking his Miranda rights, the law doesn’t require such a formal declaration.

His statement was “an unequivocal invocation of his right to remain silent pursuant to Miranda, and the detective’s continuation of questioning thereafter was a failure to scrupulously honor that right,” according to the decision.

The decision was handed down on December 9 and Washington County Prosecuting Attorney Dustin Houchin says he is working to file an objection with the Supreme Court to overturn the appeal.

“The Court of appeals overturned the murder conviction,” said Houchin. “They found that the defendant’s right to remain silent was violated because police questioning continued after he said he was “done talking.” 

Risinger pled not-guilty in March 2017 in Washington County Circuit Court to a murder charge he was facing after he told police he set fire to his trailer at Southway Villa Mobile Home Park earlier that week. 

He was found guilty having been found guilty by Jury Trial on November 30‘“, 2019 of COUNT 1, Guilty but Mentally ill at the time of the offense of Murder, Felony; COUNT 2, Guilty but Mentally ill at the time of the offense of Felony Murder and COUNT 3, Guilty of Arson.

“I want to be clear that the Indiana State Police did nothing wrong in this case,” said Houchin. “The way the officers questioned the defendant was within the law.”

Risinger allegedly told police he killed a man named “Gilbert” by starting a fire in the home. The body was later identified as 62-year-old Jeffery Givan.

“This Court of Appeals opinion is, in my view, an expansion of existing law, and not consistent with prior opinions of the Indiana higher courts,” Houchin said. “Such a ruling could not have been anticipated by the police at the time.  I am currently working with the Indiana Attorney General’s Office to request [a] review of this opinion by the Indiana Supreme Court.  I believe we have a good chance of the Supreme Court reviewing it because it is out of line with prior cases.”

Houchin said Risinger will remain incarcerated. 

“This ruling does not set him free.  We have 45 days to request a transfer, and the defense will have 20 days after that to respond. In all, we are looking at several months before we know. If we are not successful with the Supreme Court review, the case will return to the Washington Circuit Court.  At that time, I will retry the case.”

Risinger remains in custody at Miami Correctional Facility in Bunker Hill.

Risinger’s Judgement and Conviction and Sentence CLICK HERE – Judgment