A traffic stop for reckless speeds on Interstate 64 Wednesday afternoon led to two men being jailed on drug and weapons charges.

Arrested and Charged were:

Christopher Mackey, 21, Aurora, Colorado

– Dealing Marijuana, Level 6 Felony

– Possession of Marijuana, Level 6 Felony

– Reckless Driving, Class C Misdemeanor

– Operating without a Valid License, Class C Misdemeanor

Justin Beckner, 25, North Tazewell, Virginia

– Dealing Marijuana, Level 6 Felony

– Possession of Marijuana, Level 6 Felony

– Possession of a Firearm without a License, Class A Misdemeanor

At 12:38 PM Wednesday, Master Trooper Randy Neighbors was patrolling Interstate 64 when he observed a silver 2016 Chevrolet Cruze driving eastbound at 101 miles per hour.  As Neighbors was attempting to pull the Chevrolet over, Master Trooper Brian LaRoche clocked the Chevy traveling at 113 miles per hour.  The Chevy stopped for Troopers at the 60 mile marker.

While troopers were speaking with the driver, 21-year-old Christopher Mackey of Aurora, Colorado, LaRoche could smell the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle.  As LaRoche and Neighbors searched the vehicle, they located a loaded 9mm handgun with a 30 round magazine at the feet of the passenger, 25-year-old Justin Beckner of North Tazewell, Virginia.  Beckner did not have a handgun license.  Troopers also found approximately one pound of marijuana in the trunk of the car.

Mackey and Beckner were arrested without incident and transported to the Spencer County Jail. 

Indiana Conservation Officers responded Monday evening to information from a landowner in northern Hancock County claiming to have witnessed a reptile resembling an alligator in Brandywine Creek. 

 
Indiana Conservation Officer Ted Stine responded to the area and found tracks in the mud that were consistent with an alligator. 

Conservation Officers were able to locate and capture the reptile using spot lights and large dip nets. 

Once it was captured, it was determined to be a three foot long crocodile.  The crocodile is currently being housed at a secure facility until a suitable home can be located.
 
Crocodiles and alligators are not native to Indiana, and although officers occasionally find one in our waters, they are not naturally occurring.

It is legal to possess a crocodilian up to five feet long in Indiana without a state permit, however some species may require a federal permit.
 
 “Crocodilians are generally purchased by people who are interested in caring for an exotic and exciting pet, but they soon realize that proper care is difficult and expensive.” said Capt. Bill Browne. 

“The focus now will be to determine who may have released it, and make sure they do not have any other wild animals that might be released,” noted Browne.
 
If you have any information about where this crocodile may have come from, please contact our 1-800-TIP-IDNR call line.  Callers can remain anonymous. 
 

According to a press release issued Tuesday by the West Clark Community Schools received knowledge that a staff member of the Silver Creek High School was under investigation.

Since then – earlier this morning – a staff member was arrested for child seduction.

Alonzo Richmond, 30, from Ewing Lane in Jeffersonville,  is accused of kissing and fondling a student early Saturday morning after a theater rehearsal at a park in Sellersburg, Indiana.

According to the news release, Richmond was an extra-curricular sponsor and not a certified teacher employed by West Clark Community Schools. 

West Clark Superintendent Chad Schneck said that the activities Richmond was being investigated for took place off school grounds. 

“…at an event not sponsored or endorsed by West Clark. West Clark is cooperating fully with all investigative agencies,” Schneck noted. 

Court records show one count of child seduction has been filed against Richmond.

The inappropriate contact allegedly occurred in a Sellersburg park after a theater/play practice in which the boy was acting in and Richmond was directing.

The child involved told police he and Richmond were the last two people to leave the rehearsal.

Court records say Richmond hugged the child several times and made statements about homosexual pornography. 

Richmond allegedly walked the teen to his car, kissed him and grabbed his buttocks.

Richmond was placed into custody by troopers as a result of an arrest warrant that was issued by the Clark County Circuit Court #3 also on today’s date.

The arrest warrant was the result of an investigation that began on the 16th of this month.

The complaint made to the state police post at Sellersburg by the child’s parent, alleged Richmond of having inappropriate physical contact with a male child under the age of eighteen.

After troopers investigated the alleged incident they turned the facts of the case over to the Clark County Prosecutor’s Office who in turn filed for the arrest warrant.

This investigation is continuing.

Richmond was incarcerated at the Clark County Jail on the charge of Child Seduction and is awaiting his first court appearance.

“Regardless of what the present investigation ultimately reveals, West Clark assures parents of its students that the Corporation not only immediately responds to and investigates allegations of inappropriate conduct by staff, but also reports such matters immediately to other appropriate agencies,” wrote Schneck in the news release. “By doing so, West Clark strives to maintain a positive environment conducive to learning.” 

Three people were arrested early this morning near 37th and Leeland after leading a Trooper on a short chase.

The incident began when Trooper Casey Witzigreuter attempted to pull over a vehicle near 38th Street and Wallace Avenue.

19 year old Devontai Terrell of Indianapolis was arrested along with two juveniles (17 and 16 years old).

All three now face preliminary charges of dealing marijuana, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a handgun without a permit. In addition, the 16 year old driver faces resisting law enforcement charges.

The vehicle continued driving at low speeds, turning south onto Butler Avenue then west onto 37th Street where the vehicle stopped. With assistance from the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, Trooper Witzigreuter was able to take all three male occupants into custody without incident. 

At one point during the pursuit, one of the occupants allegedly threw a handgun out of the passenger window. That gun was later recovered by officers. During the course of the investigation 19 grams of marijuana was located inside the vehicle along with paraphernalia that led police to believe these suspects were dealing drugs. Also in the car was a bullet resistant vest, an empty gun holster and a large amount of cash.

The charges listed are merely accusations, the case will be reviewed by the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office to determine actual charges.

A 1998 graduate of Seymour High School and Seymour, Indiana native retires with 21 years of honorable service from the U.S. Navy.

U.S. Navy Cmdr. Doug M. Reinbold last served as a Navy Pilot/Mq-8 Integrated Transition Team Lead with Commander, Helicopter Sea Combat Wing Pacific (CSWP) Nasni, California.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in 1993 from Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana.

As a pilot, Reinbold accumulated more than 3,000 hours of flight time in 10 different types of aircraft. He was awarded the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, and Meritorious Service Medal during his time in service.

CHSCWP manages the administrative, operational, and training requirements of more than 3,700 military personnel, and maintenance requirements for more than 150 aircraft, to provide operational commanders with combat-ready HSC.

Reinbold s the son of Marion Reinbold and the late Sandra Reinbold of Seymour, Indiana, and brother of Betsy Reinbold of Bloomington, Indiana.

He is also the husband of Jennifer Reinbold and father of Macy Reinbold and Lucy

Salem High School is planning their homecoming to take place next Friday night, Sept. 29 during the Varsity game against Eastern High School. 

Candidates are: 

Front row, Seniors: Cameron Morris, Kailee Akers, Lexi Humphrey, Garrett Wiseman. Second row, Juniors: Evan Shelby, Aspen White, Sydney Roll, Jesus Garcia-Sales. Third row, Sophomores: Brandon Carroll, Kylie Brown, Leah Miller, Shane Mahuron. Fourth row, Freshmen: Peyton Arthur, Addison Bundy, Bailey Hypes, Reese McCoskey.