Thursday morning just before 8:00, members of the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, executed a Vigo County search warrant at 2415 North 13 ½ Street in Terre Haute.

Investigators were acting on a tip received from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children about possible child pornography images possessed by a resident. 

During the execution of the warrant and the subsequent search of the home and electronic devices, detectives discovered less than 10 child pornography images and less than two grams of methamphetamine. 

The male resident, 49-year-old Leslie D. Helt, was arrested for six counts of Possession of Child Pornography and one count of Possession of Methamphetamine (all felonies). Helt was taken into custody without incident and incarcerated in the Vigo County Jail. 

The lead investigator was ISP ICAC Detective Kevin Getz. Assisting were other members of the ISP ICAC Unit, ISP Cyber Crimes Unit, members of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police ICAC Unit, Putnamville District troopers, and the Vigo County Prosecutor’s Office. 

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

This morning at 11:32, Indiana State Police Master Trooper Ty Lightle spotted a red Honda Civic northbound on State Road 63 near County Road 1100 South, traveling at 90-miles-per-hour in a 60mph zone.

Adam C. Flowers, age 35, of Blanford, IN. was charged with Reckless Driving and Possession of Marijuana.

The Honda abruptly turned west onto CR 1100S without signaling and a traffic stop was initiated. Seconds later, Indiana State Police Trooper Michael Organ and his K-9 “Zeke” arrived to assist.

During the stop, “Zeke” gave a positive indication on the vehicle and during a search of the driver, approximately eight grams of suspected Marijuana was found in his pocket. He was taken into custody without incident and incarcerated in the Vermillion County Jail. 

The case was investigated by M/Trooper Ty Lightle. Assisting were ISP Trooper Michael Organ and K-9 “Zeke” and Trooper Chuck Murphy.

This morning at 11:30, Indiana State Police arrested a father and step-mother on felony allegations of child battery. The couple was arrested without incident and incarcerated in the Sullivan County Jail. 

Daniel Robert Williams, age 31, of 335 East State Street, Sullivan, IN. and Coral Leigh Mahnken, age 33, of the same address, were both charged with one count each of Battery of a Child Under 14, Level 6 felony. 

Indiana State Police received a request for assistance from the Indiana Department of Child Services and immediately initiated an investigation. During the course of the investigation, physical evidence suggested that on multiple occasions from Friday, September 8 through Sunday, September 10, 2017, the couple became upset with the actions of their seven-year-old daughter and battered her.  

The child has been removed from the home and is doing well with other family members. 

The case was investigated by ISP Detective Angie Hahn. Assisting were Indiana Department of Child Services Sullivan County, Sullivan County Prosecutor’s Office, Susie’s Place Child Advocacy Center of Terre Haute, and Master Trooper Jason Owen. 

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

Two from Washington County died this morning as a result of a crash on the Hardinsburg-Livonia Road, including the driver. 

Jacob Voyles, 25, of Salem, and front seat passenger Tyler Cook, 19, of Fredericksburg, were pronounced dead at the scene. 

At approximately 1:07a Thursday, the Washington County Sheriff’s Department responded to a 911 call. 

Washington County EMS and Livonia Fire Department were also dispatched to an area of Hardinsburg-Livonia Road south of Posey Chapel Road in response to a personal injury accident. 

A 2005 Chevy Impala was traveling north on Hardinsburg-Livonia Road.

According to a report by Deputy Allen Taylor, the Impala traveled over a hillcrest, left the roadway and struck several trees. 

Devin Cordero, 18, Salem, was treated at the scene and transported to St. Vincent Hospital with complaint of pain. 

The Washington County Sheriff’s Department is continuing to investigate the crash. 

Washington County Historian Jeremy Elliott said he recently received a query from Salem Middle School History Teacher John Heavin about a picture hanging in the school’s hallway (photo #1).

Here was the answer.

The structure in the photo is the 2nd Salem Seminary, built in 1851 after the 1st burnt to the ground.

The 1st was constructed in 1828 on the NE corner of E. Hackberry and N. College Ave. (same as the 2nd), actually that is how College Avenue got it’s name!

About 1839 a Female Institute was added, (as shown in photo #2).

This Seminary was a renowned college preparatory school that replaced the Salem Grammar School that was taught in the John Hay House from 1824-1828.

The original headmaster was John I. Morrison, (his daughter was the 1st female to graduate from IU), who taught there until he was elected Indiana State Treasurer in 1864 and then he was succeeded by Professor James May, (who in 1878 changed the name to the Eikosi Academy), then James May’s son William took over in 1882.

Sometime in the 1890’s the building was purchased by the county education board and a Salem & Washington High School was established in the building, which ran until the SMS picture was taken on the last day, in May of 1908.

By the fall semester, 1908-09, the new high school, on Water Street was established on land donated by the Dawson & Martha Lyon family, which eventually led to our being nicknamed the Salem LIONS:)

The Female Institute burned down around 1890, the Seminary was abandoned after the close of high school in 1908 and later sold to private parties who tore the structure.

Don’t forget to come to Old Settlers’ Days this weekend!!