On November 27th, Detectives with the Indiana State Police Drug Enforcement Section and Troopers with the ISP Bloomington District A.C.E.S. (Aggressive Criminal Enforcement Section) served a search warrant in the 4500 block of Old SR 37 South in Bloomington. 

Arrested were 

Robert Merek, 31 of Bloomington

-Dealing Methamphetamine, Level 2 Felony

-Possession of Methamphetamine, Level 4 Felony

-Maintaining a common nuisance, Level 6 Felony

-Possession of a narcotic drug, Level 6 Felony (4 Cts.)

-Possession of a syringe, Level 6 Felony

-Resisting Law Enforcement, Class A Misdemeanor

-Possession of Marijuana, Class B Misdemeanor

-Possession of Paraphernalia, Class C Misdemeanor

Hayley Sipes, 23 of Bloomington (No Photo Available)

-Dealing Methamphetamine, Level 2 Felony

-Possession of Methamphetamine, Level 4 Felony

-Maintaining a common nuisance, Level 6 Felony

-Possession of a narcotic drug, Level 6 Felony (4 Cts.)

-Possession of a syringe, Level 6 Felony

-Trafficking with an inmate, Level 5 Felony

-Possession of Marijuana, Class B Misdemeanor

-Possession of Paraphernalia, Class C Misdemeanor

Hali Bales, 23 of Mooresville

-Warrant Morgan Co.

    Aggravated Battery Use when the assault poses a substantial risk of death, Level 3 Felony

    Battery Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury, Level 5 Felony

    Battery by Means of a Deadly Weapon, Level 5 Felony

    Criminal Recklessness committed with a deadly weapon, Level 6 Felony

-False Informing, Class A Misdemeanor

-False Identity Statement, Level 6 Felony

Elijah N. Bowles, 21 of Martinsville

-Dealing Methamphetamine, Level 2 Felony

-Possession of Methamphetamine, Level 4 Felony

-Trafficking with an inmate, Level 5 Felony

-Possession of a handgun without a license, Class A Misdemeanor

Jerrel R. Lane, 26 of Detroit, Michigan

-Dealing Heroin, Level 2 Felony

-Possession of heroin, Level 4 Felony

-Dealing a narcotic drug, Level 6 Felony (3cts)

-Possession of a Narcotic drug, level 6 Felony (3cts)

-Maintaining a Common Nuisance, Level 6 Felony

The search warrant was obtained after an investigation of alleged drug dealing activities at the residence. 

Information led detectives to believe that Robert Merek, 31 of Bloomington, who was currently on home detention monitoring by the Monroe County Probation Department, was dealing methamphetamine.

Once Indiana State Troopers arrived at the residence, Merek jumped out of a bedroom window and began to flee. 

Troopers apprehended him after a short foot pursuit. 

The search of the residence revealed 35 grams of methamphetamine and a firearm. 

In addition, troopers recovered heroin, hypodermic syringes, marijuana, and multiple controlled substance pills.

The residents of the address, Merek and Hayley Sipes, 23 of Bloomington, were both arrested on multiple drug related offenses including Level 2 Felony dealing methamphetamine charges. 

Upon arrival at the jail, Sipes was found by Jail Officers attempting to smuggle multiple narcotic pills into the jail by hiding them in her bra.

The Indiana State Police continued with the investigation and on November 28th, DES detectives observed multiple suspected drug dealers arrive at the same residence. 

ISP DES and A.C.E.S. contact with these suspects resulted in officers locating 28 grams of heroin in the possession of Jerrel Lane, 26 of Detroit, Michigan. 

Lane also possessed over 200 narcotic drug pills, which were packaged for sale. 

In addition, Elijah Bowles, 21 of Martinsville, was found to be in possession of a handgun without a license.  

Hali Bales, 23 of Mooresville, who originally gave officers a false name and identifying information, was positively identified and found to be wanted on multiple felony arrest warrants including aggravated battery posing a substantial risk of death and battery by means of a deadly weapon. 

Elijah Bowles was found by Jail Officers attempting to smuggle approximately 9 grams of methamphetamine into the jail by concealing it in his underwear.

This investigation is ongoing. Troopers involved in the investigation and arrests were DES Detectives, along with Trp. Chris Griggs, Trp. Matt Hatchett, Trp. Riley Nungester, Trp. Mark Clephane, and Sgt. Greg Day.

Anyone with illegal drug information is encouraged to contact the Bloomington Indiana State Police Post at 812-332-4411. Your tip can remain anonymous and could save lives!

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

A Jasper resident was arrested this morning on rape and child molestation charges after an investigation by State Police detectives.

Anthony Neukam, 20,  Jasper was arrested and charged with:

– Rape, Level 3 Felony

– Child Molesting (x4), Level 3 Felony

On October 25, 2017, the Indiana Department of Child Services and the Indiana State Police began an investigation into a complaint of inappropriate contact with a minor between 2011 and 2015.

The complaint alleged that Neukam  had sexually forced himself upon a minor female routinely during that time frame.

After a lengthy investigation by ISP and DCS, an arrest warrant was issued and Neukam was arrested this morning by State Police and Dubois County Sheriff’s Deputies. 

Neukam is being held in the Dubois County Security Center.

Investigating Officer:  Senior Trooper Detective Brock Werne

Recently all eight students from John Calhoun’s Manufacturing Class passed their certification exam. 

The students are:

• Dalton Cole
• Connor Dawson
• Cameron Foutch
• Isaiah Lykins
• Zeanna Reed
• Timothy Roberts
• Andrew Winslow
• Aaron Wiseman

The students received a certificate which they can present to a future employer certifying that they have been trained in manufacturing basics and safety.

Front row: Tim Roberts, Cameron Foutch, Isaiah Lykins, Zeanna Reed

Back row: Aaron Wiseman, Connor Dawson, Principal Troy Albert, Drew Winslow and Dalton Cole

Troopers from the Indiana State Police Jasper Post will be conducting a sobriety check point at an undisclosed location in Dubois County on Wednesday, November 29, 2017. 

Those drivers passing through the checkpoint area should have their licenses and registrations ready to present to troopers, and will only be detained briefly while troopers determine whether further investigation is necessary. 

The purpose of the sobriety checkpoint is to remove those motorists from the highways who are alcohol and/or drug impaired and poses a danger to all who use the roadways.  Impaired drivers are responsible for billions of dollars in property damage, personal injury, and death annually.   

Reminders so motorists do not find themselves “Over the Limit and Under Arrest”:

• Plan ahead and always designate a sober driver before consuming alcohol.
• Don’t drive your vehicle if you’ve been drinking alcohol.  Call a taxi or sober friend. 
• Take care of your friends.  Never let a friend drive while impaired. 
• If you are hosting a party, always offer non-alcoholic beverages.  Make sure all of your guests leave with a sober driver.
• Never provide alcohol to anyone under the legal drinking age of 21.

Motorists encountering another vehicle being operated erratically are encouraged to dial 911 or call the Jasper Indiana State Police Post at (812) 482-1441 or (800) 742-7475.  Be prepared to give a description of the vehicle, location, and direction of travel.

Hoosiers Conducting Missions Critical to Our Nation’s Cyber Security

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) visited Fort Meade to meet with members of the Indiana National Guard who are mobilized to improve our nation’s cyber capabilities. Fourteen members of the Indiana National Guard are serving as part of Task Force Echo.

“Our nation confronts serious cyber threats, and the Indiana National Guard is playing an indispensable and pioneering role conducting cyber operations that are vital to our deployed troops and the national security of the United States. I’m so proud of my fellow Hoosiers serving at Fort Meade, and I will continue to do all I can to ensure they have the support and resources they need to conduct their missions and protect our country,”said Senator Young.

In addition to meeting with members of the Indiana National Guard, Senator Young also received briefings from the leadership of Army Cyber Command, the 780th Military Intelligence Brigade, and Task Force Echo to gain further insight into the Department of Defense’s cyber activities and the critical role of the Indiana National Guard.