Indiana Conservation Officers are asking for the public’s assistance in slowing a string of environmental thefts in southern Indiana. Charles Cole Jr., 44, of New Salisbury, is wanted on an active felony arrest warrant, stemming from an investigation earlier this month.

On October 10, Indiana Conservation Officers received a report of trespass in northern Harrison County, after a landowner’s trail camera captured a late-night photo of a man suspected of stealing ginseng plants from the property. The landowner also discovered that a separate trail camera had been stolen from a tree.

Upon viewing the trail camera photo, Indiana Conservation Officers immediately identified the man as Charles Cole Jr., from recent dealings with him involving a separate trespass/ginseng theft case. After speaking with Cole, they discovered stolen ginseng and a stolen memory card from another trail camera at his residence.

During the course of their investigation, Indiana Conservation Officers recovered stolen ginseng in addition to 9 stolen trail cameras and memory cards. As a result, they sought an arrest warrant through the Harrison County Prosecutor’s Office on Friday, Oct. 19. 

Meanwhile, on Sunday, Oct. 21, Indiana Conservation Officers fielded additional complaints after Cole was again caught on a property owner’s trail camera trespassing and digging ginseng in Washington County.

To date, Cole has sold at least 40 pounds of ginseng, much of which is believed to have been stolen from unsuspecting landowners. Current market value for dry ginseng in Harrison County is approximately $500-$650 per pound.

Ginseng is regulated to ensure a healthy population for the future. For more information on Indiana’s ginseng program, follow this link: https://www.in.gov/dnr/naturepreserve/8235.htm.

If anyone has information concerning this case, they are encouraged to contact Indiana Conservation Officers Central Dispatch at 812-837-9536, or their local law enforcement agency.

All charges are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Secretary of State Connie Lawson takes great care to prepare for each election. In preparation for the upcoming election, Secretary Lawson has proactively worked to implement new security measures and resources to protect Hoosiers’ votes.

Voters should know that no piece of Indiana’s voting equipment is online. The machines and tabulators are not connected to the internet.

Some of the tools and precautions being taken in Indiana to ensure secure elections include:

• Testing voting equipment prior to use

All voting equipment in Indiana is tested by the Voting System Technical Oversight Program, hosted by Ball State University, for an added layer of safety and security. In addition, each county conducts public test of voting equipment prior to the election.

• Risk and vulnerability testing

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has conducted risk and vulnerability testing to secure Indiana’s electronic information. This includes the statewide voter registration system and the state election website.

• Multifactor Authentication Protocol

Indiana has invested in security by requiring two-factor authentication to access electronic information.  

• Intrusion Detection Systems

These systems monitor internet traffic accessing websites and databases.

• Security Protocol

State law establishes physical security standards for election equipment. Many county election boards adopt customized security resolutions above and beyond what is required by state law.

• Information Sharing

Indiana has partnered with the Election Infrastructure Information Sharing and Analysis Center. This provides access to 24/7 security information, threat notifications and security advisories.

“I take the security of our elections process very seriously,” said Secretary Lawson. “I am working diligently to ensure that every available defense is utilized. Indiana has taken many steps to secure our elections, but let’s be clear: there will always be new recommendations, new technology, and new best practices where cybersecurity is concerned. The way we administer elections must continue to evolve, because this is a race without a finish line. I am fully committed to ensuring that we continue to move forward, using every tool at our disposal to maintain safe and secure voting for all Hoosiers.”

Voters with questions can call the Hoosier Voter Hotline at 866-IN-1-VOTE.

On Monday, October 22, 2018, Indiana State Police Detectives arrested a Seymour, Indiana man on a level one felony count of child molesting after an alleged incident that occurred in rural Jackson County.

In the evening of October 21^st, the Seymour Police Department began investigating an alleged child molesting although the investigation was referred to the Indiana State Police due to the offense occurring outside of the Seymour city limits.

Detective Andrew Mitchell, Indiana State Police-Versailles, conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Seymour Police Department, Indiana Department of Child Services, and the Indiana Child Advocacy Center.

Through the investigation, it was determined that Reynaldo E. Reyes-Perdomo, age 30, Seymour, Indiana allegedly took a 13 year old female to a rural location near State Road 11 and I-65 in northern Jackson County and engaged in sexual contact with the juvenile.

A second incident was reported to have occurred on a different date at a Seymour residence involving the same victim.

Reyes-Perdomo was located at a Seymour residence. He was taken into custody without incident.

He was transported to the Jackson County Jail where he was initially incarcerated on a level one felony count of Child Molesting, pending his initial appearance in the Jackson County Circuit Court.