On February 6, 2019, the Indiana State Police-Versailles District Criminal Patrol Team conducted numerous investigations which led to numerous arrests and the removal of illegal drugs from our communities.

At approximately 11:00 am, Trp. Randel Miller conducted a traffic stop on a gray Ford Fusion on I-65 Southbound in Jackson County.  During the traffic stop, Trp. Miller located marijuana in possession of two occupants of the vehicle. 

Trp. Miller cited Nicholas Randel, age 27, and Taj Teague, age 26, both of Louisville, Kentucky into court on charges of possession of marijuana.

Shortly after 1:00 pm, the Criminal Patrol Team executed a search warrant at 6113 E. Lonnis Hill Rd., Madison, Indiana.  During a search, troopers located approximately 2 ounces of suspected methamphetamine, marijuana, drug paraphernalia, and a loaded handgun.  Troopers arrested Joshua A. Lee, age 31, who lives at the residence, on numerous charges. 

Lee faces charges of dealing methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine while in possession of a handgun, possession of a handgun by a serious violent felon, maintaining a common nuisance, possession of a syringe, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of marijuana.  He was incarcerated in the Jefferson County Jail.

At approximately 2:00 pm, Trp. Miller conducted another traffic stop on I-65 in Jackson County.  An occupant of the vehicle, Betty Jo Skinner, age 40, Seymour, Indiana was found to have suspected methamphetamine and heroin hidden on her person.  She was arrested on felony charges of possession of methamphetamine and possession of a narcotic drug.  She was incarcerated in the Jackson County Jail.

At approximately 9:00 pm, the Criminal Patrol Team executed a search warrant at 745 Miller Lane, Seymour, Indiana.  During the search, troopers located approximately 38 grams of suspected methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. 

Two residents of the address were arrested on numerous charges.  Both Steven Venegas, age 36, and Amanda Mikel, 25, were arrested on felony charges of dealing methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine, and maintaining a common nuisance.  They both face a misdemeanor charge of possession of drug paraphernalia.  They were both incarcerated in the Jackson County Jail.

The Indiana State Police continue to relentlessly pursue those who choose to be involved in criminal activity in our communities.  We encourage anyone with information on ongoing drug activity to contact the Indiana State Police-Versailles Post at (812)689-5000 or your local Indiana State Police Post.

During the last 13 hours, troopers at Evansville arrested four impaired drivers in Gibson and Pike Counties. Three impaired drivers were arrested on I-69 and two of the drivers were under the influence of marijuana.

According to the National Highway Traffic Administration, approximately one-third of all traffic crash fatalities in the United States involve drunk drivers. On average over the 10-year period from 2006-2016, more than 10,000 people died every year in drunk-driving crashes.

The Indiana state Police are committed to traffic safety and will continue to aggressively patrol to apprehend impaired drivers and to deter others from drinking and driving.

Arrested and Charges:

Pike County – Friday night, February 8, at approximately 8:45, Trooper Manning stopped Carlos X. Rosario Vazquez, 21, of Washington, for driving while suspended on I-69. Marijuana was located during the traffic stop. Further investigation revealed Rosario Vazquez exhibited signs of impairment. A chemical test was conducted and he tested positive for marijuana. He was arrested and taken to the Gibson County Jail.

Carlos X. Rosario Vazquez, 21, Washington, IN

1. Driving While Intoxicated, Class C Misdemeanor
2. Possession of Marijuana, Class B Misdemeanor

Pike County – Friday night, February 8, at approximately 11:17, Trooper Boeckman stopped Spencer Walker, 45, of Monroe City, for failing to signal near Main Street and 9^th Street in Petersburg. Further investigation revealed Walker had a BAC of .21%. He was arrested and taken to the Pike County Jail.

Spencer Walker, 45, Monroe City, IN  

1. Driving While Intoxicated, Class A Misdemeanor

Pike County – Early Saturday morning, February 9, at approximately 4:30, Trooper Hunter Manning stopped a vehicle on I-69 near the 51 mm for a headlight violation. During the traffic stop marijuana was located. Further investigation revealed the driver, Tracy Spicuzza, 47, of Greenwood, had been smoking marijuana. A chemical test was later conducted and she tested positive for marijuana. She was arrested and taken to the Pike County Jail.

Tracy Spicuzza, 47, Greenwood, IN

1. Driving While Intoxicated, Class C Misdemeanor
2. Possession of Marijuana, Class B Misdemeanor

Arresting Officers: Trooper Hunter Manning, Trooper CJ Boeckman and Trooper Tyler Widner

 All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

February 8, 2019, Indiana State Police Trooper Colton Maynor was patrolling in Cloverdale, IN, when he passed a vehicle, going the opposite direction, in which both the driver and a passenger were not wearing seatbelts.  

Trooper Maynor watched the vehicle turn into a local business as he was attempting to turn around.  The driver parked and immediately exited the vehicle, rushing inside the business, all before Trooper Maynor could speak with the driver.  

Trooper Maynor was able to stop the passenger, who was not wearing his seatbelt, before he attempted to enter the business.  

Additional Indiana State Police Troopers arrived at the scene which allowed Trooper Maynor to go inside the business and locate the driver of the vehicle.  

The driver of the vehicle was found inside the local business and was immediately removed.  The driver was identified as Shylor K. Clark, 27, of Spencer, Indiana.

The passengers of the vehicle were identified as Carissa D. Taylor, 26, of Bloomfield, Indiana, and Jacob R. Cornwell, 24, of Bloomington, Indiana. Officers then conducted a vehicle search where they located a small caliber handgun, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia.

During the course of the investigation it was also discovered by the troopers that Clark, the driver, had placed a bag of methamphetamine in the business while inside.  

Trooper Maynor located and took possession of the methamphetamine.  Clark was then read implied consent where he refused to take a chemical test.  All three suspects were taken into custody and transported to the Putnam County Jail.  

Indiana State Police Troopers assisting in the investigation were Trooper James Crisp and Trooper Andrew Mattern, also assisting was the Cloverdale Police Department.

Anyone with illegal drug activity information is encouraged to contact Indiana State PolicePutnamville Post at 1-800-742-0717.  Your tip can remain anonymous and could save lives.

Photos were not available at time of release.

Arrested and Charges:

Shylor K. Clark, 27, of Spencer, Indiana

1.  Felon in possession of handgun, Level 5 Felony
2.  Possession of methamphetamine, Level 6 Felony
3.  Operating a Vehicle While Under the Influence, Class C Misdemeanor
4.  Possession of Marijuana, Class A Misdemeanor
5.  Possession of Paraphernalia, Class A Misdemeanor
6. Warrant Service Multiple Charges (Owen County) 

Jacob R. Cornwell, 24, of Bloomington, Indiana

1. Possession of Marijuana, Class A Misdemeanor
2. Possession of Paraphernalia, Class A Misdemeanor

Carissa D. Taylor, 26, of Bloomfield, Indiana

1. Possession of Marijuana, Class A Misdemeanor  
2. Possession of Paraphernalia, Class A Misdemeanor

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

A single-vehicle crash and arrest for Operating While Intoxicated was the start to a series of three crashes that sent four to area hospitals and involved a total of ten vehicles. 

Around noon on Friday, the Indiana State Police received calls reporting a White Mitsubishi Eclipse driving erratically northbound on I-65 near Scottsburg. 

At approximately 12:07 that same vehicle crashed into the guardrail on the right side of I-65 northbound at the 34.5 mile-marker before crossing back over both lanes and colliding into the median guardrail and coming to rest. 

The driver, Lindsay R. Bostock, 37, of Sellersburg, Indiana was subsequently arrested for Operating While Intoxicated – a class A misdemeanor.  Bostock was transported and remanded into the Scott County Jail.  Prescription opioids are believed to be a factor in this crash. 

As traffic backed up from the above crash scene, a three-vehicle property damage crash occurred on I-65 northbound at the 32.7 mile-marker at approximately 12:50 pm. 

Then, at 1:03 pm, a six-vehicle injury crash was reported one mile south at the 31 mile-marker.   Troopers on scene then requested the assistance of Indiana State Police crash reconstructionists. 

The preliminary investigation reveals that as traffic was at a standstill due to the second crash scene, a 2003 International tractor-trailer collided into the rear of a line of stopped cars, creating a chain reaction of rear-end collisions involving five more vehicles.

As a result of this collision, Michael L. Brown, 75, of Scottsburg, Indiana, and Micayla Kelly, 22, of Danville, Kentucky, each in separate vehicles, were transported by ambulance to Schneck Medical Center in Seymour where they were treated and released.  

Jerry K. Pyle and his wife, Gwyneth C. Pyle, of Stanford, Kentucky, were transported by air to the University of Louisville Hospital for serious injuries. 

During the subsequent investigation, the driver of the tractor-trailer, David Ray Wisdom, 46, of Lawrenceburg, Tennessee was found to be in possession of methamphetamine and paraphernalia. 

Wisdom was arrested and remanded into the Scott County Jail and is charged with Possession of Methamphetamine – a Level 6 Felony,  Possession of Paraphernalia – a level A Misdemeanor, and Maintaining a Common Nuisance – a Level 6 Felony. 

This crash is still under investigation and toxicology results are pending in both arrests. 

Indiana State Police Troopers were assisted by the Scott County Sheriff’s Department, The Scottsburg City Police Department, The Scottsburg Fire Department, and Scott County EMS.