Crothersville Police Chief Brent Turner arrested a male subject who identified himself as Leo Rodry, for driving while never receiving a license. During questioning by Chief Turner, the male subject then gave a different name as well as two different dates of birth.

When at the jail, Chief Turner told Jail Commander Charlie Murphy that he was uncertain of the man’s true identity. Commander Murphy then told Turner of the jail’s electronic thumbprint technology.

After checking the man’s thumbprint through the jail’s software it was determined that he was Miguel Felipe Gaspar, an illegal immigrant who has an active Fugitive Warrant with ICE.

In addition to the initial Crothersville charge of Never Receiving a Driver’s License, Gaspar is also arrested for False Reporting, and the ICE Warrant.

Driving while never receiving a driver’s license and false reporting are Class A Misdemeanors. Federal Immigration authorities will take custody of Gaspar for the ICE warrant after his Jackson County cases are finished.

Assisting Murphy and Turner were Jail Officers Brad Freeman and Faron Gibson.

A former Funeral Home Director in Brownstown, Indiana was recently charged with numerous felonies related to the thefts of money from the funeral trust funds of nearly 20 individuals. 

The investigation by the Indiana State Police Organized Crime and Corruption Unit began in August 2017, an initial victim reported that money given to the Winklepleck-Weesner Funeral Home for the purpose of establishing a pre-need trust was missing.  

Over the course of the next few months, numerous individuals reported they had paid Funeral Home Director James D. Weesner Jr., age 47, payments meant to be applied to trusts at a local Brownstown, Indiana bank.  

When the victims checked with the bank, they were informed that no trusts existed.  

The trusts were intended to be established to pay for future funeral expenses through the funeral home.  

It is believed that Weesner never established the trusts and kept the money for personal use.

The investigation determined that Weesner stole approximately $200,000 from the 20 victims in this investigation.

At the conclusion of the investigation, the case was submitted to the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office for review.

In June of this year, Weesner, who now lives in Indianapolis, was charged with 25 level 5 felony counts of Wrongful Disbursement of Funeral Trust Funds and one level 5 felony count of Corrupt Business Influence.

This case is still pending in the Jackson County Circuit Court.

The Indiana State Police Organized Crime and Corruption Unit was assisted by the Indiana State Police-Versailles Post, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department, Brownstown Police Department, the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office, and the Indiana Attorney General’s Office.

A local police drug team made an arrest on Monday afternoon after a continuing investigation involving a local man selling narcotics. 

On July 9 at approximately 2:42p, the Washington County Drug Team executed a search warrant on Adam Thurman of Salem, who was driving down Main Street in Salem. 

The warrant was the result of a several-months long investigation.

The drug team was able to locate and arrest Thurman on South Main Street. 

During the arrest, other drug-related items were located and seized as evidence. 

Also during the arrest, it was discovered that Thurman’s passenger, Joshua Hill, had an outstanding warrant issued by Orange County Superior Court. 

Both Thurman and Hill were arrested without any further incident. 

Thurman was arrested and charged with his outstanding warrants; three counts of dealing in a narcotic drug, a level 4 felony; three counts of possession of a narcotic drug; level 5 felony.

Thurman was transported to the Washington County Detention Center where he is being held on a $30,000 cash only bond. 

Hill was also transported to the detention center and is being held on the Orange County warrant. 

The drug team encourages anyone with drug information or drug activity to call the Crime Tip Line at 812.883.6566. Information can be left confidential and all calls are investigated. 

A Milltown man was flown by helicopter ambulance from the scene of a two vehicle crash on State Road 56 West this morning. 

Washington County Sheriff’s Department deputies responded to a 911 call this morning at 6:40a on SR56 West, slightly west of West Washington School Road. 

According to Deputy Lucas Gray, Brandon Hawkins, 23, Milltown was driving a 2005 Pontiac Grand Am eastbound on SR 56. 

Gray said he crossed the center line and struck a log truck that was being driven westbound by Jonnie Gibson, 65, Campbellsburg. 

Hawkins stated he believed he had fallen asleep while driving. 

Gibson sustained minor injuries. 

Hawkins was flown by helicopter ambulance to U of L for serious injuries. 

Livonia Fire Department, Campbellsburg Fire Department, Salem Fire Department and Washington County EMS also assisted. 

Indiana State Police have released the names of two men who were injured Sunday in a shooting near English. Detectives are continuing to investigate the shooting that occurred Sunday afternoon on Easy Street, south of Sulphur.

One man from Louisville is dead with another from Magnet, Indiana injured from a gun shot wound. 

Dead is Gregory R. Peals, 29, Louisville. 

Police did not disclose how Peals died or who caused his death. 

Lambert said no further information will be revealed until the Orange County Prosecutor’s office determines if criminal charges will be filed. 

He said all efforts by the Indiana State Police Department to locate and notify relatives have, so far, been unsuccessful.

Person/s who are acquainted with Peals are encouraged to contact the Indiana State Police Jasper Post @ 800-742-7474 or 812-482-1441

Injured is Ricky L Phipps, 28, Magnet IN. Police did not disclose the nature of his injury. 

The owner of the home where the incident took place has been identified as Terry L Olliges , 63, English.

It is not known at this time if the three men knew each other or if there was a relationship between the men. 

On Saturday, July 7th, at approximately 5:30 pm, a Greensburg, Indiana woman was killed when the bicycle she was riding was struck by a vehicle on State Road 3 at Broadway Street in Greensburg.

The initial investigation by the Indiana State Police-Versailles Crash Reconstruction Team indicated that a bicycle being operated by Emily S. Bauman, age 43, Greensburg, Indiana was traveling southbound on Broadway Street, crossing State Road 3.  Bauman’s bicycle was struck by an eastbound 2015 Nissan Altima being driven by Traci L. Miller, age 52, Hamilton, Ohio.

As a result of the collision, Bauman was thrown from the bicycle.  She was transported to Decatur County Memorial Hospital in Greensburg, Indiana where she passed away as a result of her injuries.  Miller was treated for minor injuries. 

At this time, it is unclear why Bauman drove into the path of Miller’s car.  Evidence indicates that Miller’s vehicle had the right of way at the intersection.  Toxicology results are pending at this time.

The investigation is ongoing.

Emily Bauman’s family has been notified.

The Indiana State Police-Versailles Crash Reconstruction Team was assisted by the Greensburg Police Department, Greensburg Fire Department, Decatur County EMS, and Decatur County Coroner’s Office.