12/07/2018-Mt. Carmel Police arrested 46 year old April D. Short of Owensville after police stopped her in the 400 block of W. 3rd Street. During the traffic stop it was discovered that Short was driving on a suspended license. Short was arrested and transported to the Wabash County Jail where she was cited for driving while license is suspended and operating an uninsured motor vehicle.
Filing Period Opens For April 2nd Election
There were a flurry of filings during yesterday’s first day that candidates could file to run in next April’s election.
For Mt. Carmel Mayor, incumbent Bill Hudson and finance commissioner Joe Judge were both at city hall when filing opened at 8am.
Those filing at 8am for city commissioner were Eric Ikemire, Chandler Madden, and Donald Kensell. A lottery will be held among those filing at 8am to determine placement on the ballot. Others filing later in the day for city commissioner were Rod Rodriguez, Justin Dulgar, Thomas Meeks, and Jaleigh Lashbrook.
Filing also opened yesterday for school boards in Wabash County. Incumbents Ryan Peter and Neil Earnest filed for re-election to the District 3-48 school board while Gary Buchanan filed for reelection to the Allendale School Board.
The filing period continues through next Monday for the April 2nd election.
Catt Sentenced To 6 Years, 7 Months On 1st Sexual Abuse Charge
21 year old William Catt has been sentenced to 6 years and 7 months in the Illinois Department of Corrections on a Class 2 felony charge of aggravated criminal sexual abuse. William Catt had pled guilty to the 2017 crime that involved a family member who was 13 and 14 years old at the time.
During the three-and-a-half-hour sentencing hearing yesterday afternoon in Wabash County Circuit Court, Judge Michael Valentine said that Catt posed a threat to his victim and the 6 year, 7 month sentence would guarantee the teen girl would be at least 18 at the time of Catt’s release from prison.
While Catt was free on bond in this case, he was arrested this past March in a separate incident with the same girl. In that case, Catt is charged with a Class 1 felony of aggravated criminal sexual assault. A pre-trial conference in that case is set for January 14th.
Catt will continue to be held in the Wabash County Jail until the second case is adjudicated at which time he’ll be sent to the DOC.
Bellmont Man Arrested On Outstanding Warrants
On 12.09.18 at 6:26pm, the Wabash County Sheriff's responded to 109 N. Church St. Bellmont reference a 911 open line call. Deputy Keagan Bogard arrived and a male ran from the residence but was apprehended by Deputy Art Kimmel. The male identified as Nathan G. Jackson, 37, of Bellmont was taken into custody on two outstanding warrants. One warrant out of Wabash County for $10,000 and a no bond warrant out of St. Clair County. Jackson remains in the Wabash County Jail.
Driver Faces Meth & Other Charges Following Traffic Stop
On 12.07.18 at 7:09pm, the Wabash County Sheriff's Office conducted a traffic stop on Highway 1 and Wabash 6 Ave. The vehicle did not immediately pull over but did approximately 3/4 of a mile after the deputy's emergency lights were activated. During a roadside investigation deputies found the driver, Phillip L. Lang, 38 of Mt. Carmel was driving on a suspended license. K-9 Roy was deployed for a free air narcotics sniff and indicated there was an odor of narcotics within the vehicle.
A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed over 5 grams of methamphetamine. Lang was taken into custody and charged with: Possession of methamphetamine over 5 grams, delivery of methamphetamine over 5 grams, resisting/obstructing a peace officer, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving suspended and operating an uninsured vehicle. Lang's bond has been set at $40,000.
SIXTH YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF LOWELL BADGER HOMICIDE
Sullivan County— December 8, 2018, will mark the sixth year anniversary of the unsolved homicide of 85-year-old Lowell R. Badger of rural Sullivan County. The retired farmer was found deceased at his rural Sullivan County home. The homicide is believed to have occurred sometime between Friday, December 7th, 8:00 p.m. and 9:23 a.m. on Saturday, December 8th, 2012.
Since Mr. Badger’s death in 2012, Indiana State Police and the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office have been vigorously working the case. Detectives have investigated more than 150 tips, conducted nearly 100 interviews, and combed many areas of land and water in the Sullivan County area on foot, with aircraft, all-terrain vehicles, boats, and SCUBA divers.
Indiana State Police and the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office strongly believe someone in the community has information related to this case. Investigators would urge them to come forward and provide the information. If a person or persons are in fear of reporting what they know, law enforcement has the means to mitigate those concerns. So, if you know something, say something. Be the one to help bring some closure to the Badger family.
Law enforcement and the Badger family continue to solicit help from the public. Anyone with information is strongly urged to call Indiana State Police Detective Mike Taylor or First Sergeant Jason Fajt at the Putnamville Post (765)-653-4114 or Sullivan County Sheriff Clark Cottom or Chief Deputy Jason Bobbitt at the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office Tip Line 1-800-589-0805. This is a very active investigation and all tips will be investigated. Tipsters can remain anonymous.
A reward of approximately $30,000 has been established and available for anyone who provides information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for Lowell’s death.
A safe and television were taken from Lowell’s home. The safe was a light to medium dark gray, measuring 23 ½” tall, 17” in depth, and 17” wide, in pristine condition and manufactured by John D. Brush and Company. The television was a black 46” Sony Bravia LCD screen.
Attached is a picture of a similar safe compared to the one stolen from the Badger home, however, the Badger safe was in pristine condition.
Two Arrested On Criminal Trespass Charge
12/07/2018-Mt. Carmel Police arrested two subjects for criminal trespass to a residence. Police received information that Carl P. Pierce and Casey L. Taylor, both 31 years of age, were inside a residence at 318 Chestnut Street without the owner’s permission. Police located the two subjects and placed them under arrest. Both subjects were transported to the Wabash County Jail and are being held pending the posting of bond.
Hiding Under Bridge Doesn't Save Mt. Carmel Man From Arrest
12/07/2018-Mt. Carmel Police arrested 47 year old Jason B. Seibert on an Illinois Department of Correction warrant. Police knew Seibert was staying at the Town and Country Motel and went to his room only to find it empty. Police would later finding him hiding underneath a bridge in the area of 3rd and Oak Street. Seibert was transported to the Wabash County Jail where he was held pending the posting of bond.
Mt. Carmel Man Arrested On Warrant
12/07/2018-Mt. Carmel Police arrested 29 year old Cameron B.S. Brown of Mt. Carmel after the arresting officer observed him walking in the area of 9th and Market Street. The arresting officer knew Brown was wanted on a Wabash County warrant charging him with violation of conditional discharge. Brown was arrested and transported to the Wabash County Jail where he was held pending the posting of $500.00.
Mt. Carmel Man Jail After Allegedly Choking Girlfriend
12/06/2018-Mt. Carmel Police arrested 29 year old Vicente Melchor-Nabor of Mt. Carmel after police were called to a residence in the 200 block of W. 5th Street reference a domestic. Police were told that Melchor-Nabor placed his hands on his girlfriend and choked her. Police arrested Melchor-Nabor and charged him with one count of aggravated domestic battery. Melchor-Nabor was held at the Wabash County Jail pending the setting and posting of bond.
