On July 24, 2019, Deputies initiated a traffic stop. The driver was identified as Andrew Johnson, age 41, of Austin. Johnson was arrested for OPERATING WHILE INTOXICATED REFUSAL and DOMESTIC BATTERY.

On July 24, 2019, Deputy Josh Watterson initiated a traffic stop. The driver was identified as Simon Burns, age 32, of Scottsburg and four juvenile occupants.

Upon approaching the vehicle, Deputy Watterson noticed the odor of marijuana.

Burns admitting to having in his possession marijuana and paraphernalia in the vehicle.

Deputy Watterson looked inside the vehicle where he discovered a green leafy like substance and paraphernalia.

Deputy Johnny Coomer assisted in the traffic stop and discovered juvenile occupants had paraphernalia on their persons. Burns was arrested and charged with POSSESSION MARIJUANA/HASH OIL/HASHISH OR SALVIA, POSSESSION OF PARAPHERNALIA, and CONTRIBUTING TO THE DELINQUENCY OF A MINOR.

Juveniles involved were released to parents and the report was transferred to juvenile probation.

On July 24, 2019, Deputies received an anonymous tip that Willam Neace had an active warrant for his arrest and given the location of his whereabouts.

Deputy Joe Baker and Deputy Darin Marshall initiated a traffic stop and drivers were identified as William Neace, age 33, of Austin.

Neace was arrested on an active warrant for FAILURE TO COMPLY and transported to the Scott County Jail.

On July 24, 2019, Captain Joe Guarneri arrested Paul Cox on an active warrant for WRIT OF ATTACHMENT.

On July 25, 2019, Deputies stopped to assist a disabled motorist.

The motorist, identified as Melissa McTier, age 34, of French Lick, began acting strangely.

Deputies ran McTier’s information and received a hit confirmation that she had two active warrants out of two separate counties.

McTier was arrested for OUT OF COUNTY WARRANT(S) and transported to the Scott County Jail.

On July 22^nd, after investigating a tip of the sale and distribution of methamphetamine on “M” Street involving David Smith, 44 of Bedford, Detectives with the Indiana State Police DES established probable cause for obtaining a search warrant for the residence. DES Detectives, along with Sgt. Greg Day and Trp. Caleb Garvin, executed the search warrant that same afternoon.

Upon entry into the residence, troopers observed drugs and paraphernalia in plain view.  They also located Smith, Kelby Root 31, of Bedford, Durant Hillenburg, 33 of Bedford and Shelby Horton, 25 also of Bedford. 

Two children lived in the residence as well – an 11 year old and a 2 year old.

During the search, troopers located methamphetamine with the drug paraphernalia, along with other evidence of dealing. Interviews were conducted with all of the adults at the residence. 

The Department of Children Services responded to the scene and removed the children from the home.

The investigation resulted in the following arrests:

David Smith

1. Dealing Methamphetamine with a Prior Conviction, Level 4 Felony
2. Possession of Methamphetamine Under 5 Grams with a Prior Conviction, Level 5 Felony
3. Maintaining a Common Nuisance, Level 6 Felony
4. Habitual Violator

Kelby Root

1. Possession of Methamphetamine, Level 5 Felony
2. Maintaining a Common Nuisance, Level 6 Felony
3. Neglect of a Dependent, Level 6 Felony

Durant Hillenburg

1. Possession of Methamphetamine, Level 5 Felony
2. Maintaining a Common Nuisance, Level 6 Felony

Shelby Horton

1. Possession of Methamphetamine, Level 5 Felony
2. Maintaining a Common Nuisance, Level 6 Felony

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

All Suspects Are Presumed Innocent Until Proven Guilty in a Court of Law

On July 24 at approximately 10:10 p.m. on SR 63 near Baltimore Hill Road (that is about three miles north of the SR 63/US 136 intersection), a trooper stopped a car for a traffic violation and located over five pounds of marijuana in the trunk.

Trooper Tyler Turchi was sitting in a cross over on SR 63 when he observed a vehicle approaching him northbound appearing to be well over the speed limit. 

The trooper confirmed the excess speed with his RADAR device and stopped the red 2013 Chrysler and approached the passenger window. 

The driver handed Trooper Turchi her license and registration.  Trooper Turchi detected a smell of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle.

After returning to his state police car, he requested assistance from Warren County Deputy Bryant Pearman, who was patrolling nearby. 

After the Deputy’s arrival, a search was conducted and over five and one half pounds of marijuana was located in the trunk of the vehicle.

The back seat passenger, Keyon Carter, 30 of Danville, IL advised the marijuana belonged to him. 

He was taken into custody and arrested for;

• Dealing in a Controlled Substance Level 6 Felony
• Possession of a Controlled Substance Level 6 Felony

Carter was lodged in the Warren County Jail.  The driver and the other front seat passenger were not charged and released.  The investigation is continuing.

Assisting at the scene was ISP Trooper Kyle Killin.

All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Detectives with the Indiana State Police Internet Crimes against Children unit arrested a 30-year-old Hanover man after receiving a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. 

That tip led investigators to the house of Kenneth Whalen, III on Grange Hall Road in Hanover, Indiana. 

Information gathered during the investigation, along with a subsequent search warrant, resulted in Kenneth Whalen being arrested on charges of Possession of Child Pornography, a Level 6 Felony, and Child Exploitation – Child Pornography, a Level 5 Felony. 

Kenneth Whalen, III was transported and remanded into the custody of the Jefferson County Jail without incident.  

The Indiana State Police were assisted by units from the Hanover PoliceDepartment and the United States Secret Service.    

Indiana State Police initiated a criminal investigation on May 21, 2019, after a four-week-old infant was transported by ambulance from the Sullivan County Hospital Emergency room to Riley Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis, with significant life-threatening injuries.  

Arrested and Charged was: 

Dalton W. Arnold, 24, Sullivan

•  Battery resulting in protracted loss or impairment, Level 3 Felony
•  Neglect of dependent resulting in serious bodily injury, Level 3 Felony 

The investigation revealed that Dalton W. Arnold, age 24, of Sullivan, Indiana, was a live-in boyfriend who was staying with the infant and infant’s mother, and who had direct supervision of the infant when the injuries occurred.  

After reviewing the investigation, the Sullivan County Prosecutor’s Office issued an arrest warrant yesterday for Arnold.  He was arrested this morning without incident and is currently being held in the Sullivan County Jail on a $60,000 bond. 

Investigating Officer:  Indiana State Police Master Trooper Detective Ryan Winters who was assisted by Trooper Detective Michael Featherling. 

Assisting Agency:  Family Case Manager Division of Children Services.  

Executing Arrest Warrant:  Sullivan City Police Department and the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Department. 

The Indiana State Police and Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department received multiple complaints on possible drug activity from residents of the Dupont area over the past few months. On Thursday, a concentrated investigation and enforcement effort resulted in 8 arrests.

At approximately 2:30 p.m., Trooper Randel Miller stopped a red, 1989 Ford Contour for two traffic infractions. During the stop, criminal indicators were detected and a search resulted in locating methamphetamine, suboxone, and paraphernalia.

The driver, Travis Lee Smith, 42, Dupont, Indiana, was arrested for attempted Dealing in Methamphetamine, – Level 5 felony,  Possession of Methamphetamine – Level 6 Felony, Possession of Paraphernalia – C Misdemeanor, and Possession of a Controlled Substance -A Misdemeanor. 

At 10:25 p.m. on the same day, The Indiana State Police All Crimes Team, along with other Versailles troopers and Jefferson County Deputies, executed a search warrant in the 10000 block of Reynolds Road in Dupont, Indiana.  Officers seized methamphetamine, guns, and paraphernalia during the search. Child Protective Service was also called to the scene to assist due to two children being present.

The following were arrested at the Reynolds Road investigation:

Johnny J Wood, 46, Dupont:

• Dealing Methamphetamine – Level 4 felony
• Possession of Methamphetamine – Level 6 Felony
• Maintaining a Common Nuisance – Level 6 Felony
• Neglect of a Dependent – Level 6 Felony
• Possession of Paraphernalia – C Misdemeanor

Jacob Smith, Dupont:

• Dealing Methamphetamine – Level 4 Felony
• Possession of Methamphetamine – Level 6 Felony
• Possession of Paraphernalia – C Misdemeanor
• Visiting a Common Nuisance – B Misdemeanor

Haley Jines, 27, Dupont:

• Possession of Methamphetamine – Level 6  Felony
• Possession of Paraphernalia – C Misdemeanor
• Visiting a Common nuisance, B Misdemeanor

Ralph Dale Konkle 39, Dupont:

• Visiting a Common Nuisance – B Misdemeanor

Jennifer Wood, 44, Dupont:

• Possession of Methamphetamine – Level 6 Felony
• Maintaining a Common Nuisance -Level 6 Felony
• Neglect of a Dependent – Level 6 Felony
• Resisting Law Enforcement – A Misdemeanor

Amanda Andres, 27, Dupont:

• Possession of Methamphetamine – Level 6 Felony
• Neglect of a Dependent – Level 6 Felony
• Visiting a Common Nuisance – B Misdemeanor
• Possession of  Paraphernalia -C Misdemeanor

James Ferguson, 39, Dupont:

• Visiting a Common Nuisance – B Misdemeanor

All subjects were transported to and remanded into the custody of the Jefferson County Jail. 

Anyone with information on drug or criminal activity is encouraged to contact the Indiana StatePolice in Versailles at 812-689-5000.

A Washington man is in jail after police arrested him on charges of neglect to a one-month-old infant male.

Earlier today, Indiana State Police investigators were informed Jones was removed from life support and pronounced deceased. 

Bobby Leighty, 26, Washington, was jailed in Martin County and charged with:

Neglect Causing Serious Bodily Injury, 1 Count, IC 35-46-1-4(2), Level 3 Felony. 

Stemming from today’s passing of the child, Indiana State Police investigators will be presenting additional evidence to the Martin County Prosecutors Office in efforts to amend Leighty’s charge to: 

Neglect Resulting in Death, 1 Count, IC 35-46-1-4(3), Level 1 Felony and any additional applicable charges. 

Next of kin notifications have been completed. 

Earlier this week, Indiana State Police Detectives Shane Staggs and Brock Werne were sent to a home in Loogootee, IN, to investigate injuries to a one-month-old infant male. 

Initially, on Tuesday, July 23, Leighty, was the caretaker of one month old Kyson Jones, Loogootee.

Sometime after noon, Jones became unresponsive, at which point Leighty contacted family members who arrived at the residence a short time later. Family members then contacted 911 due to Jones still being unresponsive.

Jones was initially transported to the Daviess County Hospital, before being transported to Riley Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis via helicopter, where he has remained until today.