Just after midnight on September 11^th, Indiana State Police Sgt. Greg Day conducted a traffic stop along Avoca-Eureka Road on a 2019 Dodge Journey for a speeding violation. The driver was identified as Zachary M. Wood, 42, of Old Schoolhouse Lane, Williams, Indiana.

Wood’s license was found to be suspended.

While inventorying the vehicle for impound, Sgt. Day discovered that Wood was in possession of approximately 6 grams of methamphetamine. Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department Captain Troy Loboski and Officer Jordan Wheelock both assisted Sgt. Day during the stop. Wood was not arrested at the time pending further investigation.

On the morning of September 12^th, Sgt. Day, Trp. Chris Griggs, Trp. Caleb Garvin, and a DES detective traveled to Wood’s address. Evidence showed there were people inside the residence, however, no one would answer the door. Sgt. Day then submitted a probable cause affidavit for the arrest of Wood for the offense of Possession of Methamphetamine (over 5 grams, but less than 10 grams – Level 5 Felony). 

The warrant was issued while troopers were still at the residence.

While awaiting the warrant, Troopers Griggs and Garvin spoke to the occupant of an apartment on a detached garage on the same property. The overwhelming odor of raw marijuana could be detected coming from that garage.  Troopers asked for consent to search the garage and apartment but were denied. 

Trp. Griggs then applied for and received a search warrant for that separate garage and apartment.

Once troopers had the arrest warrant for Wood, they made entry into the residence and located Wood, along with two other occupants inside. While Wood was being placed into custody for the warrant, troopers detected the odor of burnt marijuana inside. 

A separate search warrant was applied for and obtained for Wood’s residence.

During the search of the residence and subsequent interviews, evidence that Wood was dealing methamphetamine was obtained. In addition, marijuana, syringes, and drug paraphernalia was discovered.

During the search of the separate garage and apartment, troopers located a small amount of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. They also located a marijuana grow operation. 15 marijuana plants were discovered, which had been grown in the garage, currently drying while hanging from the ceiling.

The following individuals were arrested:

Zachary M. Wood – (Jailed)

1. Possession of Methamphetamine (Over 5 grams, Less than 10 grams), Level 5 Felony
2. Dealing Methamphetamine, Level 3 Felony

David W. Henderson (40 yrs old Old Schoolhouse Lane, Williams, IN) – (cited and released)

1. Cultivating Marijuana, Class A Misdemeanor
2. Possession of Marijuana, Class B Misdemeanor

A case report has been submitted to the Lawrence County Prosecutor’s Office for review and more arrests and or charges are possible. 

Anyone with illegal drug information is encouraged to contact the Indiana State Police Bloomington Post at 812-332-4411.

Under the Law, criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Detectives from the Indiana State Police are investigating the death of an eight-week-old infant this morning in Franklin. 

Preliminary investigation has revealed the infant was dropped off at a babysitter early this morning in Pennington Trailer Park in Franklin.

At 10:51 a.m. officers from the Franklin Police Department were dispatched to the residence for a medical emergency.

Officers arrived at 10:52 a.m. and immediately attempted life-saving measures.

The infant was transported to Johnson Memorial Hospital where it was later pronounced deceased.

The cause of death is unknown at this time and an autopsy is scheduled for tomorrow in Johnson County. 

At this point detectives are treating this as a death investigation, notification to the family has been made however the identity of the deceased infant is being withheld at this time to allow for notification to extended family.

There is no further information to release at this time.

A 19-year-old Salem teen has been arrested by the Indiana State Police for Sexual Misconduct with a Minor.                             

On Tuesday morning, ISP Detective Travis Baker was contacted by the Indiana Department of Child Services and informed of possible inappropriate or illegal conduct involving a minor that allegedly occurred between the suspect and a younger female. 

Detective Baker met with and interviewed the suspect, Daniel Terrell Caleb Noonan, 19, of Mill Street in Salem later in the morning. 

As a result of the investigation, Noonan was charged with Sexual Misconduct with a Minor, a Level 5 Felony.   

This case is still under investigation. 

After his arrest, Daniel Noonan was remanded into the custody of the Washington County Jail without incident. 

Detective Baker was assisted by the Indiana Department of Child Services

On September 12, 2019, Deputy John Hartman, Deputy Zachary Brown and Lieutenant Shawn Mayer responded to a motor vehicle accident on Johnny Johnson Road.

Upon arrival an investigation led to the arrest of John Ohara, 32, of North Augusta, South Carolina for an Out of State Warrant, Leaving the Scene of an Accident and Public Intoxication.

On September 13, 2019, Deputies Skylar Thompson, John Smith and Zachary Brown responded to the intersection of Shea Road and Blocher Road for a vehicle sitting in the middle of the roadway.

An investigation led to the arrest of Thomas Stamper, 69, of Lexington for Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated.

An investigation by the Indiana Department of Correction (IDOC) resulted in the September 10^th arrest of Bahia Bunge, 29 of Owen County for attempting to traffic drugs into the Putnamville Correctional Facility while visiting an offender on September 10, 2019. 

As a result of the investigation, more than three dozen strips of suspected Suboxone were recovered.

Bunge was arrested and transported to Putnam County Jail pending charges of:

• Conspiracy to Traffic with an Inmate – Level 5 Felony
• Dealing in a Schedule III Controlled substance – Level 5 Felony
• Possession of a Controlled Substance – Class A Misdemeanor

Internal Affairs Lead Investigator James Smith commented, “It’s unfortunate people make the choice to put the health and safety of our correctional staff, other offenders, and themselves, in jeopardy by trying to smuggle drugs into a correctional facility.” Smith concluded, “We have a zero-tolerance policy on trafficking. We will arrest and seek prosecution against any person who attempts to traffic illegal substances into any of our facilities.” 

Formal charges will be determined by the Putnam County Prosecutor’s Office. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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.

The public is invited to an open house and dedication of the newly renovated swimming pool at the Salem Middle School. It will be called the Mullins Aquatic Center.

The event will begin in the school’s cafeteria at 6p tonight (Monday, Sept. 16).

Guests will be taken to the pool area, where the dedication will take place.

Refreshments will be served. 

The pool was originally built in 1976. The board voted 7-0 in May 2018 to move ahead with the project, which ultimately replaced the pool. 

The goal of the original and current board was to make sure every Salem student learned to swim.