JASPER CO., Ill. - A woman from Olney was cited following a crash west of Newton yesterday afternoon, a crash which she told police may have occurred after she got sleepy behind the wheel.

Illinois State Police said the single-vehicle incident occurred at 1:05 p.m. Monday, March 27, 2017.

Preliminary investigative details indicate that Sandra K. Wyatt, 73, of Olney, was traveling eastbound on Illinois 33 at Jasper County 700 East, driving a silver 2007 Chrysler passenger car. With her was Jackie E. Wyatt, 79, of Parkersburg.

Wyatt's Chrysler crossed over the westbound lane and into the north ditch just west of Jasper County 700 E, then struck a concrete culvert and became airborne, then crossed back over 700 E and came to rest in the ditch west of the road.

Wyatt told ISP she may have fallen asleep just prior to the crash.

She was cited for Improper Lane Usage and Failure to Wear Seatbelt. Apparently there were no injuries.

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Hit our Facebook page (yes we still have one), and this post on it if you'd like to discuss this subject on Facebook; and be sure you check your "get notifications" selection under the 'like' button on our page; recent Facebook upgrades have booted many of our followers off from getting our posts. Also check us on Twitter, Pinterest, Google+ and Tumblr!…and if you like what you’re reading here, why not subscribe? You can get the print version as well as the e-Edition (the electronic version of the print version, where we put the in-depth articles as well as the serious crime and corruption rundown for the previous weeks; more than local papers provide) at this link…get clicking and get on board so YOU can be informed!

CARMI, Ill. - A Carmi man was cited following an incident yesterday that involved three vehicles, one of them a city truck, the other a truck from Ohio.

Police reports indicate that Mark A. Phile, 59, of Dover, Ohio, was driving a 2012 truck/trailer combo westbound on Main Street west of Oak Street in Carmi at 1:27 p.m. yesterday (Monday, March 27) when a City of Carmi truck stopped in front of him.

Phile said he stopped and felt an impact from behind.

The driver of a 1999 Chevrolet Blazer, Levi Fisk, 30, of Carmi, was the source of that impact; Fisk said he was behind the Phile vehicle when it slammed on the brakes. Fisk said he was unable to stop, striking the Phile vehicle.

Fisk's Blazer sustained damage to the front end.

Fisk was cited for failing to reduce speed to avoid an accident.

Lewis W. Linder, White County mugshot

EDWARDS CO., Ill. - A Mt. Carmel man who was charged in December 2014 with multiple counts of sexual assault is free after the prosecution in the case dismissed the charges.

Lewis Wade Linder, 28, has been moving through court in Albion since his arrest and charges on Aggravated Criminal Sexual Assault Causing Bodily Harm and Criminal Sexual Assault by use of Force (rape), the details of which can be found at this post.

After almost two and a half years, and at a regularly scheduled pretrial hearing today (March 28), all four counts were dismissed nolle prosequi (no prosecution on the part of authorities, a formal term for withdrawing of prosecution) and the court ordered Linder's bond refunded minus the percentages for fees.

It's unknown at this point just what happened that prompted the dismissal. There's been no word as to whether the alleged victim withdrew her complaint, or whether the ensuing investigation revealed that it didn't happen the way she claimed it did.

Whatever the case, Linder is no longer under the charges, and this is another victory for Fairfield attorney Matt Vaughn, who fought tenaciously for Linder's innocence.

Photo submitted

WABASH/LAWRENCE COs., Ill. - A convicted doper is back in the hotseat in Lawrence County after wrecking a vehicle about a mile from his home in Allendale.

Robert Joseph Dodge, 54, of Allendale was behind the wheel of the vehicle pictured here when he wrecked it Saturday morning, March 25.

The circumstances of the wreck, which happened at about 11 a.m., are unclear.

Photo submitted

However, Dodge is facing quite a few traffic citations in Wabash: Improper Lane Usage, Improper Use of Registration/Title, Leaving the Scene of an Accident, Driver's License Expired More than a Year, and Operating Uninsured.

Dodge, who's been a drug convict since 2009 in Wabash, was lodged in the Wabash County jail in Mt. Carmel, but reports indicate that he was transferred to Lawrence because of a Failure to Appear warrant there on a 2016 meth charge. He's being held there on a $5,075 cash bond.

More if we get it; be watching.

Photo submitted

FLORA, Ill. - It was a busy third week of March last week for folks from all over - including Vincennes, Effingham, Calhoun and Farina - according to the police activity report released yesterday by Chief John Nicholson.

Tuesday, March 21 at 6:00 am, Sidney Holtz, 22, of Olney was issued a Citation for Speeding, following a traffic stop in the 300 block of West North Avenue.

Thursday, March 23 at 4:11 pm, Sandra Brown, 60, of Effingham was issued a Citation for Speeding, following a traffic stop on Old Rt 50.

Thursday, March 23 at 5:32 pm, Courtney Gangi, 30, of Flora was issued a Citation for Speeding, following a traffic stop in the 700 block of North Worthey.

Friday, March 24 at 8:59 am, Tania Wallace, 32, of Rinard was issued a Citation for Speeding following a traffic stop in the 600 block of North State Street.

Friday, March 24 at 10:02 am, Flora Police cited Ashley Belcher, 29, of Flora for Disobeying a Stop Sign, Defective Windshield and Operating Uninsured Vehicle and arrested Austin Woods, 25, of Farina for Possession of Meth and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, following a traffic stop in the 200 block of East 6th street. Parties were transported to Flora Police Department, Belcher was released with a Notice to Appear and Woods was transferred to the custody of Clay County Jail.

Friday, March 24 at 2:33 pm, Flora Police arrested Jason Lindsey, 35, of Vincennes for Driving While License Suspended, DUI, Illegal Transportation of Alcohol and Illegal Squealing/Screeching of Tires, following a traffic stop on West 12th Street. Danny Gay, 46, of Calhoun was also cited for Illegal Transportation of Alcohol, during the stop.

Saturday, March 25 at 5:05 pm, Flora Police arrested Dalton Snell, 22, of Clay City for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and a Clay County Warrant for Failure to Appear. Snell was taken to Flora Police Department for booking procedures, and then transported to Clay County Jail.

Sunday, March 26 at 4:07 pm, Flora Police arrested Johnny Smith, 33, of Louisville on a Lawrence County warrant. Smith was unable to post the necessary cash bond and was transported to Clay County Sheriff’s Office.

Sunday, March 26 at 8:30 pm, Daniel Coomer, 27, of Flora was issued a Citation for Disobeying a Stop Sign, following a traffic stop in the 100 block of North Locust Street.

Anonymously text XCRIME to tip411 (847411) if you see suspicious activity or have information on a current investigation. Crimestoppers will pay a $100 to $1000 reward for any tip that leads to an arrest. Everything remains anonymous.

FLORA, Ill. - Flora police chief John Nicholson has announced information on the situation that occurred Monday in his town.

On Monday, March 27, the Flora Police Department, Southeastern Illinois Drug Task Force (SEIDTF) and Clay County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant following an investigation by SEIDTF and the Flora Police Department.

The search warrant was executed at 900 North Olive Street at the Red Carpet Inn Room 120.

Pursuant to the investigation and search warrant, two male subjects were arrested for various felony drug charges. Cody J. Bowen, 28, of Flora was charged with Possession with Intent to Deliver Meth, a Class 1 felony, Possession of Ammunition by a Felon, a Class 3 felony and Possession of a Controlled Substance, a Class 4 felony.

Also arrested and charged was Derek L. Snell, 28, of Clay City, with Possession of a Controlled Substance, Class 4 Felony. Snell was also arrested on an outstanding Clay County warrant for Possession of Cannabis and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Both suspects underwent booked accordingly and incarcerated in the Clay County Jail, awaiting a bond hearing.

CLAY CO., Ill. - In a brief Clay County Sheriff's Department report, Sheriff Andy Myers has issued info regarding a couple of Clay folks, one who was taken into custody over a Richland County warrant.

That gal is Amanda Cobb, 40, of Flora, who, on March 23, was arrested on an outstanding Richland County Order to Take into Custody warrant. Bond was set at $100.00 cash. She posted bond and was released.

March 24, Marcus Pierson, 41, Decatur, was arrested on an outstanding Clay County warrant for Failure to Appear on the original charge of Driving While Driver's License Suspended. Bond set at $5,000.00 (10 percent), plus $75.00 warrant fee. He posted bond and was released.

March 24, Clay County Sheriff's Deputy arrested Randall Seesengood, 56, Clay City, on an outstanding Clay County warrant for Violation of Order of Protection. Bond set at $10,000.00 (10 percent). He posted bond and was released.

March 28, Clay County Sheriff's Deputy arrested Perry Jones, 42, Flora, on an outstanding Clay County warrant for Petition to Revoke Probation on the original charge of Unlawful Delivery of Methamphetamine. Perry is currently incarcerated in the Clay County Jail.

Brittany Howder

WHITE CO., Ill. - White County State's Attorney Denton Aud announced that a Grayville woman has accepted a sentence to the Illinois Department of Corrections.

Brittan N. Howder, 29, took the sentence today during a White County Circuit Court hearing.

Howder was sentenced to three years IDOC to be followed by two years mandatory supervised release (parole) on a Class 2 felony conviction of Possession of a Stolen Vehicle.

She also took a plea to Class 3 felony Possession of Methamphetamine, and received three years DOC and a year of parole.

She was also ordered to pay all mandatory fines, fees, costs and assessments, currently in the amount of $342...which is just the current (2017) case. She was on probation from a 2016 meth conviction, in which she owes $2,487, having never made a payment toward those fines and fees.

The Carmi Police Department did the investigation into the current case.

Roy Meserole, White County mug

EDWARDS CO., Ill. - New Edwards County State's Attorney Eric St. Ledger is not only clearing the docket...he's also acquiring goods for the entities in Edwards, in this case specifically, for the village of West Salem.

Roy Meserole, 38, who's currently sitting in an Indiana prison in Branchville on multiple convictions there, was convicted yesterday (March 28) on a Class 2 felony Unlawful Use of Property in Edwards dating back to January 20, 2012.

He received an eight-year sentence, which is to be followed by two years parole. He was given 230 days credit for time served between August 11, 2016 and March 28, 2017 in White County Jail.

The sentence will run concurrent with the Vanderburgh County, Indiana, charges that have him wearing prison orange right now, and he's been ordered to pay all costs of the proceeding, along with a mandatory thousand-dollar assessment. Those Vanderburgh convictions date back to 2014, when he was sentenced for the Indiana charge of Dealing in Methamphetamine, the conviction of which has him sitting in Indiana prisons until 2023.

But the most interesting aspect of this Edwards sentence is the "further order," which states that Meserole is to voluntarily surrender a 1991 Chevrolet pickup truck to the Village of West Salem Police Department and for the court to direct the Illinois Secretary of State to issue a new title to the Village of West Salem PD.

It's further ordered that the evidence listed in a list of requested property filed February 17, 2012, be returned to Meserole through his attorney, Brian Shinkle.

Meserole's 2012 adventure covered a host of felonies and misdemeanors, and includes Meth Manufacturing, Possession of Meth more than 900 gram, Possession of Anhydrous Ammonia with Intent to make meth, Possession of Meth Manufacturing Material, Meth Precursors, Resisting a Peace Officer, Criminal Trespass in a Place of Public Amusement, and Criminal Trespass to Land, all of which were dismissed in exchange for the Use of Vehicle or Structure to Manufacture Meth.

Nathan C. Brooks, White County mug

CARMI, Ill. - City police in Carmi managed three warrant services/arrests, including a gal who was already sitting in the county lockup from earlier this month.

The first was an out-of-county warrant - Williamson - that was effected this morning (Thursday, March 30, at 1:45 a.m.) on one Nathan C. Brooks, 30, of Thompsonville. Brooks was arrested on the 2016 Williamson County warrant for Failure to Appear on Domestic Battery.

According to the police report, Brooks caught himself a felony charge of Obstructing Identification for allegedly lying to the responding officer about his name and date of birth.

As of this morning he was still in the county jail in White on a $650 cash bond.

Yesterday (Wednesday, March 29) at 4:26 p.m., Kyle Puckett, 23, of Carmi, was taken into custody on a 2017 White County warrant alleging Theft of over $500. The bond amount was $2,500; he too remained lodged in the jail as of this morning.

Kyle Puckett, White County mug

Misty McFarland, White County mug

Then Misty McFarland, who was featured here a few days ago and remains in jail, was the subject of a warrant for Failure to Appear on an original charge of Obstructing Justice.

She was handed her warrant while behind bars.

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Hit our Facebook page (yes we still have one), and this post on it if you'd like to discuss this subject on Facebook; and be sure you check your "get notifications" selection under the 'like' button on our page; recent Facebook upgrades have booted many of our followers off from getting our posts. Also check us on Twitter, Pinterest, Google+ and Tumblr!…and if you like what you’re reading here, why not subscribe? You can get the print version as well as the e-Edition (the electronic version of the print version, where we put the in-depth articles as well as the serious crime and corruption rundown for the previous weeks; more than local papers provide) at this link…get clicking and get on board so YOU can be informed!

Infrared showing coming storm from the west

SO. ILLINOIS - The National Weather Service out of Paducah is alerting folks in southern Illinois to potential weather hazards today and into tomorrow, (Thursday/Friday March 30/31, 2017).

Below is their assessment and the counties in downstate Illinois that could be impacted:

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Paducah KY
335 AM CDT Thu Mar 30 2017

ILZ075>078-080>094-INZ081-082-085>088-KYZ001>022-MOZ076-086-087-
100-107>112-114-311000-
Jefferson-Wayne IL-Edwards-Wabash-Perry IL-Franklin-Hamilton-
White-Jackson-Williamson-Saline-Gallatin-Union-Johnson-Pope-
Hardin-Alexander-Pulaski-Massac-Gibson-Pike-Posey-Vanderburgh-
Warrick-Spencer-Fulton-Hickman-Carlisle-Ballard-McCracken-Graves-
Livingston-Marshall-Calloway-Crittenden-Lyon-Trigg-Caldwell-
Union KY-Webster-Hopkins-Christian-Henderson-Daviess-McLean-
Muhlenberg-Todd-Perry MO-Bollinger-Cape Girardeau-Wayne MO-Carter-
Ripley-Butler-Stoddard-Scott-Mississippi-New Madrid-
335 AM CDT Thu Mar 30 2017

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of southern
Illinois, southwest Indiana, western Kentucky, and southeast
Missouri.

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight

There is a risk of severe thunderstorms today. The storms will be
capable of large hail, damaging winds and possibly tornadoes. The
area with the highest probability for severe storms will be east
of the Mississippi River. The time frame of concern is from midday
through late afternoon.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday

There is a chance of thunderstorms Sunday afternoon through Monday
morning, and then again Wednesday. The probability for widespread
hazardous weather is low.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation will likely be required today

Stay watchful, friends.

CARMI, Ill. - Thieves in Carmi have been busy filching just about anything they can get their hands on, so word needs to get out about items missing so folks can be on the lookout for them.

The first report came Wednesday (March 29) when Donald D. VanHorne, 85, came to Carmi PD to report a theft from his residence on the 800 block of North Third Street in town.

VanHorne said he set up his camper at the location and on either the night of the 28th or morning of the 29th, someone stole two of his four jacks holding up the camper.

Also on Wednesday, Tara M. Johnson, 29, of North Fourth Street in Carmi, advised police that her son's bike was damaged at Washington Attendance Center over this past weekend. The bike, she said, had been chained to the bike rack, but was removed and thrown down a flight of stairs.

Then yesterday afternoon, Christine Talley, 64, of a residence in the 100 block of Marshall Place, reported that she'd placed the outgoing mail in her mailbox for the carrier to pick up, and sometime during the morning hours of the 29th, someone stole the mail.

MARION CO., Ill. - A man from Salem was killed in a single-vehicle accident this afternoon in Marion County.

Illinois State Police advise that the accident occurred at 2:15 p.m. this afternoon, Thursday, March 30, 2017.

Preliminary investigative details indicate that John C. Wolfe, 35, of Salem, was westbound in a silver 2006 Nissan Altima on Green Street Road at Lakeshore Drive, the location being about six miles east of Central City.

Wolfe lost control of the vehicle and began fishtailing, then left the roadway to the right. Wolfe then overcorrected and went across both lanes of traffic, leaving the roadway to the left. The vehicle at that point struck a tree and came to rest down the embankment.

Wolfe was pronounced deceased on scene by Marion County's assistant coroner.

Matthew Oberlender, White County mug

CARMI, Ill.  - Carmi police hit the motherlode yesterday in a traffic stop that produced a cache of alleged meth-related items in the possession of a sex offender who'd recently allegedly hadn't registered...and was the subject of a warrant for Cruelty to Animals.

That complicated situation arose at 1:24 p.m. Thursday (March 30, 2017), when Carmi police pulled over a maroon 1994 4-door Cadillac Deville on Main Street at Fairview Drive for an equipment violation; as well, the responding officer was aware that the registered owner of that vehicle had an active White County warrant and an expired driver's license.

The driver, Matthew Oberlender, 30, of North Walnut in Carmi, was arrested on a warrant issued in conjunction with two 2017 misdemeanors regarding Cruelty to Animals.

Jackie Oberlender, White County mug

With Oberlender was a Jackie Oberlender, 30, of the same address as Matthew so presumably his wife.

A search of the vehicle yielded a spoon with meth residue, five hypodermic syringes, and a digital scale.

Matthew Oberlender was taken in on arresting charges of the animal cruelty warrants, Possession of Meth (felony), Possession of Hypodermic Syringes and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (misdemeanors), and No Valid Driver's License. Additionally, he was charged with Failure to Register as a Sex Offender.

Ms. Oberlender was also taken in on arresting charges of felony Possession of Meth, and misdemeanor Possession of Hypodermic Syringes, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

The Oberlenders remain jailed in White County as of this morning.

Chad Payne, Hamilton County Senior High School web pic

McLEANSBORO, Ill. - Another employee of Hamilton County Schools was removed from school premises this week, and authorities are staying as mum on the subject as they were the last time this happened.

Disclosure was advised Thursday evening (March 30, 2017) that Senior High vocational arts teacher Chad Payne, no age available, was escorted from school premises that afternoon by officials.

Authorities have confirmed that there is an active investigation into alleged inappropriate conduct on the part of Payne, toward a student at the school. Illinois State Police reportedly are the investigative agency.

This is the second school employee in two years to have been the subject of removal from the premises.

Former Hamilton County coach/teacher Jeff Gray

In April of 2015, a coach at the school, Jeff Gray, was also escorted from the premises under the same auspices.

ISP also was the investigative agency involved in that matter.

Nothing further ever came of the matter, and the two-year statute to file any potential charges is almost up.

Due to being on deadline for the print edition, Disclosure staff was unable to attempt to contact school superintendent Jeff Fetcho on the most recent matter.

However, it's probably just as well, as Fetcho, in other published reports, has responded by stating that he can't comment...same as what occurred with Gray.

We'll be watching, though...and if you have any information, please feel free to contact us at admin@disclosurenewsonline or at any of our social networking pages.

ALBION, Ill. - Below, please find the agenda for the Albion City Council meeting to be held Monday, April 3, 2017, at 7 p.m.

Scroll down to view.

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WHITE CO.— A violent Carmi man has been charged with five violence-related charges.

The formal charges allege that on March 6, Daniel R. Guffey, III, 27, of 605 North Seventh, Carmi, committed the offense of Domestic Battery when he knowingly caused bodily harm to a household member, identified as Kimberly Rose, when he threw her off the porch then slammed her back onto the ground.

He is also charged with Criminal Trespass to a Residence when he entered the 605 North Seventh St., Carmi, residence at a time when he knew one or more persons were present.

Guffey is also facing owne count of Unlawful Violation of a Stalking No Contact Order for having contact with Ms. Rose; one count of Unlawful Interference with Reporting of Domestic Violence when he smashed Rose’s phone and Criminal Damage to Property, identified as Rose’s phone.

His criminal history includes a conviction for Domestic Battery and Criminal Damage to Property January 12, 2015, in which he was sentenced to conditional discharge for two years and ordered to undergo alcohol, medical and mental treatment and to pay $2,002 in fines and fees, of which he still owes $1,602.

When he violated the terms of his sentence he was resentenced to six months in the county jail.

When he screwed up again he was resentenced to conditional discharge for two years.

He was convicted again July 15, 2015 of Domestic Battery, which earned him a sentence of conditional discharge for two years, 90 days in the county jail and another order to undergo medical/ mental treatment and to fork over another $518 in fines and fees, of which he hasn’t paid the first dime.

A November 2, 2016 conviction again for Domestic Battery resulted in a sentence of jail for six months and $602 in fines and fees, of which he still owes $102.

 Cash bond in his latest case was set at $3,000.

Battered in Crossville

In an unrelated case, Kaitlin L. Shelton, 18, of 106 North Elliott St., Crossville, has been charged with Aggravated Battery after authorities claim on February 19 she struck Deanne Miller in the face with her hands while Ms. Miller was at First Street at Hammil Street, Crossville.

The reasoning for the violence is not clear.

According to Shelton, she was employed at Road Ranger, south of Grayville, as a cashier.

Shelton listed 104 Eisenhower St., Crossville, as her residence.

Cash bond in the case was set at $2,500.

WABASH CO.— Seven suspects have been charge this issue with drug offenses, all of them related to meth.

Renee I. Weiss, 40, of 204 Apt. B East Fifth St., and Jerry L. Osmon, 41, of 741 Outer Dr., West Salem, were both taken into custody March 3, at 5:28 p.m. during a traffic stop at 15940 Hwy. 1, Mt. Carmel, and charged with Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine after authorities say they found less than five grams of the drug.

Weiss was also charged with a single count of Resisting a Peace Officer when she repeatedly pulled away from deputy James Sullivan as he was placing her butt in a police cruiser.

Osmon was additionally charged with Driving Under the Influence of Drugs.

At the time of her arrest Weiss was already serving a Wabash sentence of court supervision for one year following a February 28, 2017 conviction for Bad Check.

She still owes $381.73 in that case.

Osmon has a pending case in Wabash County from December 21, 2016 in which he is charged with felony Domestic Battery.

In Edwards County, Osmon, one of the original meth-movers in that county in the late 90s-early 2000s meth epidemic, was sentenced to the Illinois Department of Corrections for five years following a June 3, 2003 conviction for Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine Manufacturing Materials and Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance (prescription medication).

And at the time of his Wabash County arrest, Osmon was serving an Edwards County sentence of conditional discharge, handed him December 13, 2016, following a conviction for Domestic Battery.

Weiss was released from police custody March 6 after the posting of a $1,000 cash bond.

Osmon was released the next day after Weiss posted a $2,000 cash bond on his behalf.

Princeton pair

A Princeton, Ind., pair were sentenced after pleading guilty to meth possession.

According to court documents, on March 8, at 9:13 p.m. Janice M. Mustain, 57, and Gary D. McCoy, 48, both of 201 South Chestnut St., Princeton, were the subject of a traffic stop southbound in the 700 block of Mulberry Street.

Subsequent to that stop both were taken into custody and charged with Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine.

Both pleaded guilty March 21 and were sentenced to probation for six months each. 

Mustain was ordered to pay $2,062 in fines and fees and McCoy was ordered to pay $2,312 in fines and fees.

Neither individual has paid anything.

Two local, one from Texas

Derrick R. Story, 52, of 251 Tyler St., Avinger, Texas; Kyria J. Linson, 33, of 214 North Walnut St., #4, Mt. Carmel; and Austin T. Wiggins, 32, of 722 West Fifth St., Mt. Carmel, have been charged with a pair of felonies each including, Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine Precursors and Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine.

The information filed in the case alleges that on March 23 at 3:57 p.m. the trio were found in the 900 block of Poplar Street, Mt. Carmel, in Story’s Ford F350 with an amount of ephedrine and less than five grams of meth on their persons.

Story was additionally charged with a single count of Use of a Vehicle to Structure a Methamphetamine Crime.

At the time of her arrest Linson was already facing a felony case from February 1, 2017 in which she is charged with Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine.

Cash bond in Story’s case was set at $5,000.

Cash bond in the Wiggins and Linson cases was set at $4,000 each.

RICHLAND CO.— An Olney woman who has been charged with a 2016 felony drug crime has also been charged with a sex offense.

According to information filed in the case, Shantelle Marie Burkett, 29, of 617 East South Ave., Olney, has been charged with Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance after police say on November 6, 2016 she was discovered to be at CVS pharmacy, located at 914 West Main Street, with an amount of amphetamine sulfate on her person.

Burkett’s drug charge was filed March 9.

Fourteen days later Burkett was charged with Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse.

The details of those charges were not available as of press time.

Burkett’s criminal history includes a conviction for Criminal Trespass to Building March 16, 2007 for which she was sentenced to conditional discharge for 12 months and ordered to pay $360.

A January 8, 2008 conviction for Unlawful Possession/ Consumption of Liquor by a Minor earned her a sentence of conditional discharge for 12 more months and $207 in fines and fees.

Cash bond in both cases was set at $5,000 each or $10,000.

Bruce Maxwell

LAWRENCE CO. – More information has been revealed about the case of a former ambulance director accused of filming people at the ambulance barn.

As it turns out, authorities are alleging that Bruce Maxwell, 57, formerly of Bridgeport and most recently of Marshall in Clark County, captured an image of a man, not women, at the ambulance barn in Lawrenceville.

The single Class 4 felony charge has it that on or about May 29, 2015, at 2009 Lexington Ave., Lawrenceville, Maxwell committed Unauthorized Video Recording when, without the consent of Derek Gill, made a video record of Gill while Gill was in a changing room of the Lawrence County Ambulance Service.

The charge was filed March 8.

Sources have advised since the appearance of the article in the March 2017 edition, Maxwell has been telling folks that his purpose in setting up the video cam and obtaining images and vid from it had been to try and catch his wife being unfaithful to him.

These same sources advise that he was unsuccessful in that endeavor.

However, what on earth he would have needed vid of Gill to keep in his possession remains one of those mysterious unanswered questions. Not one source was able to point to any connection between Gill and Maxwell’s wife.

Whatever the case, Maxwell was able to escape too much public scrutiny by posting bond on the felony charge in his new home county of Clark, thus avoiding being mug-shot in Lawrence.

Maxwell, it was confirmed by Edgar County sources, has most recently been employed at the hospital in Paris; he’s bounced around over the past several years to various hospitals and ambulance services. Marshall is much closer to Paris than is Bridgeport, despite the fact that Maxwell had had a nice house in that Lawrence County town, funded by his taxpayer-supported paycheck.

Within about a week of his arrest, Fred Johnson of Heller, Holmes and Associates in Mattoon had entered an appearance in the case, which is going to either slow down the matter considerably (with a flurry of filings designed to do little but cloud the issue, since Maxwell, it’s being reported, was caught red-handed with the material on his computer, with his figurative electronic “fingerprints” all over it), or speed it up exponentially (when the attorney sees the evidence and decides to help Maxwell take a plea to a reduced charge, once all the attention dies down).

It’s unknown whether the Heller-Holmes group is representing Maxwell for free in hopes of suing a public official or entity in an effort to recoup the money for the suit, as they have done in at least one long-term case in the past and which is still underway.

Efforts to reach Maxwell for comment have been unsuccessful.