On March 8, Alan Lee Bennett, 52, Grandview was formally charged for the murder of Linda F Bowman, 64, Grandview. 

Bennett is currently in Indiana State Police custody at an undisclosed hospital for a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, that investigators believe occurred on the date of the murder.

Bennett will immediately be transferred to the Spencer County Jail following his release from the hospital.

Indiana State Police Investigators along with the Spencer County Prosecutors Office have worked tirelessly on this investigation over the last 48 hours.

The support and patience from the community has been greatly appreciated as we continue to piece together the facts and circumstances of the tragic event.  

Spencer County Coroner Rachel Gentry has confirmed Bowman’s death was the result of a single gunshot wound to the head. 

Earlier in the week, Spencer County 911 Dispatch Center received an emergency call from 6280 North Highland Road, Grandview reporting shots fired during an ongoing domestic dispute. 

A short time later, Indiana State Police Troopers, Spencer County Sheriff’s Deputies and Rockport City Police Officers responded to the residence where they discovered Bennett who required immediate medical attention.

Bennett was flown via helicopter to an undisclosed hospital for serious injuries.

Officers also discovered Bowman at the residence. She was confirmed deceased at the residence by the Spencer County Coroner Rachel Gentry.  

Investigators were able to determine that Bennett and Bowman were living in the residence together during the time of the incident.

Indiana State Police Detectives and Crime Scene Investigators remained on scene for nearly nine hours processing evidence and piecing together the circumstances of this tragedy.

Indiana State Police Troopers were assisted by the Spencer County Sheriffs Department, Spencer County Coroner Rachel Gentry, Spencer County EMS, Chrisney Volunteer Fire Department, Grandview Volunteer Fire Department, Rockport Police Department and the Spencer County Prosecutors Office.  

Indiana State Police obtained an arrest warrant March 8 for Jerome Lee, 36, of Evansville, for Dealing in Synthetic Marijuana, a Class 6 Felony.

Lee’s arrest stems from a criminal investigation conducted by Indiana State Police and Indiana State Parole Agents that netted 14 lbs. of synthetic marijuana and a stolen firearm on February 21.

Lee is being held in the Vanderburgh County Jail on the following criminal charges:

1. Dealing in Synthetic Marijuana, Class 6 Felony
2. Possession of a Firearm by a Serious Violent Felony, Class 4 Felony

In February, the Indiana State Police All Crimes Policing (A.C.P.) Squad assisted Indiana State Parole Agents with executing warrants on several Evansville residents with parole violations.

While tracking down one of the suspects troopers and state parole agents found a stolen Ruger 9mm handgun inside a north side Evansville residence.

Troopers also received information about a large amount of synthetic marijuana inside an Evansville residence located on the south side.

Troopers and state parole agents responded to the residence, conducted an investigation and located 14 pounds of suspected synthetic marijuana inside the residence.

On March 7, 2019, Troopers from the Sellersburg Post All Crimes Policing (A.C.P.) squad began an investigation after receiving information from a concerned citizen of possible drug dealing at an address in Marengo, Indiana. 

Acting on that information, Troopers obtained probable cause and were granted a search warrant through the Crawford County Circuit Court for the residence located at 82 West Dogwood Drive. 

Officers subsequently located approximately 2.3 pounds of suspected marijuana and marijuana products including 64 THC-laced vape pens. 

As a result of the search, Erica G. Laws, 20, Marengo was arrested on the following charges:

• Dealing in Marijuana – Class A Misdemeanor
• Maintaining a Common Nuisance – Level 6 Felony
• Possession of Marijuana – Class A Misdemeanor
• Dealing in Paraphernalia – Class A Misdemeanor
• Neglect of a Dependent – Level 6 Felony. 

Thursday, March 7, 2019, at 2:49 p.m., an Indiana State Trooper observed a silver Nissan Altima, traveling at a reduced speed in the left lane of Interstate 70 near the 44 mile marker westbound.

CHARGED WERE:

Hannah Danneberger

• Dealing Methamphetamine level 2 felony
• Possession of Methamphetamine level 3 felony

Michael Oldfield

• Dealing Methamphetamine level 2 felony
• Possession of Methamphetamine level 3 felony
• Felon in possession of firearm level 4 felony   

The driver of the vehicle was identified as Hannah Danneberger, 30, of Mattoon, Illinois. 

The Passenger in the vehicle was identified as Michael Oldfield, 51, of Mattoon, Illinois.

During the course of the traffic stop, the trooper observed criminal indicators.  

Putnam County Sheriff’s K-9 was called for assistance.  A positive K-9 alert to the odor of illegal drugs led to a search of the vehicle. 

During the search of the vehicle, the trooper discovered 12 grams of methamphetamine. The estimated street value of the methamphetamine is $6,500.  

It was discovered through a criminal history search that Oldfield was a convicted felon and during the search of the vehicle troopers discovered he was in possession of a .40 caliber firearm.

Danneberger and Oldfield were taken into custody and transported to the Putnam County Jail.

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

Earlier today, just before 4:00 p.m. the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police were notified of a deceased male found along I-65 northbound near 30th Street.

Due to the incident occurring on the interstate IMPD requested the State Police to conduct the investigation.

State Police Detectives are working to determine the circumstances that led to the death of 36 year old Jason Lane of Indianapolis.

The Marion County Coroner’s Office is assisting in the investigation and will attempt to determine the cause of death by conducting an autopsy.

This investigation is ongoing and there is no further information to release at this time.

The northbound lanes of I-65 were closed for several hours while the on scene investigation was conducted. 

Two from Salem were arrested on Meth charges Thursday after a long and multiple agency investigation; including one with two charges of dealing in the drug. 

Officers with the Washington County Drug Team, Indiana State Police, Washington County Sheriff’s Department K-9 Unit, along with officers from the Salem Police Department executed a narcotics search warrant at the address of 4314 E. Canton Road, Salem, IN.

John J. Bortka II, age 47 of Salem was identified as the homeowner.

Gabrielle R. Curtsinger, age 23 of Salem was also present inside the residence, during the execution of the search warrant.

John J. Bortka II was arrested and booked on the following charges.

• Dealing in Methamphetamine, Level 3 Felony.
• Possession of Methamphetamine, Level 5 Felony.
• Dealing in Methamphetamine, Level 5 Felony.
• Possession of Methamphetamine, Level 6 Felony.
• Maintaining a common nuisance, Level 6 Felony.
• Possession of Paraphernalia, Class C Misdemeanor.
• Possession of Methamphetamine, Level 6 Felony.
• Maintaining a common nuisance, Level 6 Felony.
• Possession of Marijuana w/ a prior conviction, Class A Misdemeanor.
• Possession of Paraphernalia, Class C Misdemeanor.

Gabrielle R. Curtsinger was arrested and booked on the following charges.

• Possession of Methamphetamine, Level 6 Felony.
• Possession of Cocaine, Level 6 Felony.
• Maintaining a common nuisance, Level 6 Felony.
• Possession of Marijuana, Class B Misdemeanor.
• Possession of Paraphernalia, Class C Misdemeanor.

If you have drug information, please call the DRUG TIP-LINE at (812)883-6566.

During the afternoon hours of March 8^th, Indiana State Police Sergeants Greg Day and Rusty Garrison conducted a traffic stop in rural Lawrence County on a Ford Edge passenger car after Sgt. Day recognized the driver as Darin S. Rollman, 44 of Bedford.

Sgt. Day knew Rollman was wanted on an active felony arrest warrant through Lawrence County and then found Juston D. Sears, 41 of Bedford to be a passenger in the vehicle.

During the course of the stop, hypodermic syringes and drug paraphernalia was discovered in plain view.

Rollman was found to have approximately 1 gram of heroin and 2 morphine pills on his person. He also possessed hypodermic syringes and drug paraphernalia in his vehicle.

Sears was found to have syringes and drug paraphernalia in the vehicle as well. He also had approximately 2 grams of heroin, 1 gram of methamphetamine, and 4 morphine pills on his person.

The heroin was packaged in a manner consistent with dealing the drug. Other evidence discovered during the stop led officers to establish probable cause that Sears was dealing the heroin.

The Indiana State Police Drug Enforcement Section assisted with the investigation.

Sgt. Day arrested both Rollman and Sears for multiple drug related offenses. Both were incarcerated at the Lawrence County Jail.

Rollman was arrested for the following:

1. Warrant – Petition to Revoke Suspended Sentence
2. Possession of Narcotic Drug (Heroin) with a Prior Conviction, Level 5 Felony
3. Possession of Narcotic Drug (Morphine), Level 6 Felony
4. Possession of Hypodermic Syringe, Level 6 Felony
5. Habitual Criminal Offender Enhancement

Sears was arrested for the following:

1. Dealing Narcotic Drug between 1-5 Grams, Level 4 Felony
2. Possession Narcotic Drug (Heroin), Level 6 Felony
3. Possession of Narcotic Drug (Morphine), Level 6 Felony
4. Possession of Methamphetamine, Level 6 Felony
5. Possession of Hypodermic Syringe, Level 6 Felony

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

By State Sen. Erin Houchin (R-Salem)

Our state, along with the rest of the country, is fighting a deadly opioid epidemic. One of the many negative side effects of this issue is the skyrocketing number of children in need of services in Indiana. The Department of Child Services (DCS) is simply unable to keep up with the number of children whose parents are not able to care for them.

To help ensure DCS and Indiana’s foster parents are able to adequately support these children, I authored Senate Bill 1, which would improve services for vulnerable children.

This bill would require courts considering out-of-home placement for a child to balance the child’s best interests with keeping him or her in the most family-like setting possible. This would begin with requiring DCS to attempt to identify all adult relatives of a child at the time out-of-home placement is recommended and in subsequent months. 

In addition, it would create a 24-hour hotline for family case managers to obtain information and assistance when attempting to find out-of-home placement with the child’s relatives or foster care. This hotline would help reduce the workload of family case managers and the amount of time it takes to place children in stable, safe homes. These provisions would help ensure DCS is exercising due diligence to search for a suitable family placement from the moment a child enters the system.

SB 1 would also provide for greater input from foster parents who invest their time, energy and care for children in out-of-home placement by ensuring they are able to intervene in a termination of parental rights proceeding for their foster child. 

Current Indiana law requires DCS to file a termination of parental rights petition if a child has been in DCS custody for at least 15 of the previous 22 months. However, this is not always completed in a timely manner. SB 1 would allow a foster parent who wishes to adopt a child already in their care to petition the court to hold a termination of parental rights hearing within 30 days if DCS has not filed a petition.

Furthermore, SB 1 would create a standard form that would be offered to all foster parents, allowing them the opportunity to provide valuable input to courts during child in need of services cases. Their input would be provided to both the court and all DCS progress reports for their foster child.

Finally, this bill would create a “right of first choice” that would require a court to attempt to place a child with the same custodian if the child has repeated out-of-home placements. The difficulties faced by children who go through repeated out-of-home placements are often traumatizing, and placing them in the care of adults they already have a relationship with would help provide them with some stability and comfort.

As a former DCS caseworker, I understand the importance of providing efficient services to vulnerable children across our state. While removing children from their homes and families is something nobody ever wants to do, in cases where their safety and well-being are at stake, it is critical to handle matters quickly and with their best interests in mind. I will continue to advocate for our state’s foster children and parents as we continue through this legislative session and beyond.

SB 1 passed the Senate unanimously and has been assigned to the House Committee on Family, Children and Human Affairs.

If you have any questions, comments or concerns regarding this issue or others, contact me by email at Senator.Houchin@iga.in.gov or by phone at 800-382-9467.

A 44-year-old Evansville man was arrested Thursday night on State Road 135 South with 64 grams of Meth. 

The Washington County Drug Team, Indiana State Police,
and the Washington County Sheriffs Department and the Washington County Sheriffs Department K-9 Unit were all involved in the arrest.  

On Thursday, March 7th, Officers with the Washington County Drug Team, Indiana State Police, and Washington County Sheriffs Department were jointly working drug interdiction traffic stops.

At approximately 9:15 PM, a traffic stop was initiated on
State Road 135 south of Salem, which resulted in the arrest of one individual and the seizure of 64 grams of methamphetamine.

Michael R. Jackson, age 44 of Evansvillewas taken into custody and transported to the Washington County Detention Center, where he was booked-in on drug related charges.

Jackson was charged with

• Dealing in methamphetamine, possession with intent to deliver. The amount of drug involved is at least 10 grams, a Level 2 Felony.
• Criminal organization, a Level 6 Felony.
• Possession of methamphetamine, the amount of drug involved is least twenty-eight (28) grams, a Level 3 Felony.

Sheriff Brent Miller asks if you have drug information. please call the DRUG TIP-LINE at (812)883-6566.