KNOX CO., Ind. - A man whose photos pretty much bear the evidence of his particular brand of plea will be sentenced later this year in Knox County after admitting to the murder of his own son.

Robert James Baldwin, 55 of Vincennes, is the guy in question.

He was accused in April of 2017 of murder in the smothering/strangulation death of his five-year-old son, Gabriel, after which he called 911 and advised "I killed my son."

The boy was alive but just barely when responders arrived. Following transport to Good Samaritan in Vincennes and transport to Riley Children's Hospital in Indianapolis, the boy died from his injuries. It was determined that he had been strangled with some kind of cord, as well as suffocated. Over the course of the investigation, it was determined that Baldwin had "planned out" the death of the boy. There have been no published reports to indicate where the mother was, or why someone so obviously sick as Baldwin was was allowed to be alone with the child for any period of time. There further was no indication that there had been any other incidents of strange behavior or abuse in the household.

However, Baldwin's mugshot (above) as well as driver's license photos seem to tell the tale.

Shown here (at left), the guy looks, in both pics, to be about half a bubble off...and that's just what he pleaded on Monday, June 10, 2019.

Baldwin's plea was "guilty but mentally ill" in the little boy's killing. It's unclear whether this is the equivalent of Illinois' "open plea," whereby the judge has the discretion of throwing the book at the defendant, or whether this was negotiated after a fitness evaluation.

Whatever the case, Baldwin, according to published reports, is looking at 65 years in the death of the boy, this under Indiana law.

The sentencing might take awhile; a "pre-sentencing" hearing is the next step in the case, and that's scheduled for August 23.

MARION, Ill.– Two individuals from Harrisburg in neighboring Saline County made their way onto the police docket for Marion in this second week of June report.

Lori Petrusch, 36 of Herrin, has been arrested for Retail Theft in the 2800 block of Outer Dr. on June 7.

Tony King, 33 of Harrisburg, has been arrested for Criminal Damage to Property, Criminal Trespass and Burglary in the 1400 block of Courtney St. on June 8.

Heath Lewallen, 27 of Carterville, has been arrested for Disorderly Conduct in the 2800block of Outer Dr. on June 9.

Clint Pettigrew, 28 of Marion, has been arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Cannabis in the area of Court St. and Boulevard St.on June 9.

Carl L.Washington, 37 of Chicago, has been arrested for Possession of Methamphetamines in the 1100 block of Griggs St. on June 9.

Rachel Celestino, 33 of Harrisburg, has been arrested for Possession of Methamphetamines and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia in the area of Halfway Rd. and DeYoung St. on June 10.

Lateashia Changler, 34 of Johnston City, has been issued citations for Driving While License Suspended, Operating Vehicle with Suspended Registration and Operating an Uninsured Motor Vehicle in the 1300 block of N. Carbon St. on June 10.

Charles Pike, 29 of Fountaintown, Ind., has been arrested for Driving While License Suspended, Possession of Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Possession of Methamphetamines with Intent to Deliver in the area of DeYoung St. and I-57 on June 10

From our friends the Edgar County Watchdogs/Illinois Leaks

By jmkraft on June 12, 2019

PARIS, Ill. (ECWd) – On June 6, 2019, Jason Ball, former Edgar County Jailer, plead Guilty to a Class 3 Felony of failing to register as a sex offender (read it on Judici).

He was sentenced to:

• 2 yrs probation under the standard conditions, plus, that he:
• serve 120 days ECJ, with credit for 53 days previously served; remaining 14 days subject to stayed jail time which if Deft is required to serve will be subject to...

To read the rest, hit this link

KNOX CO., Ind. - A head-on crash attributed to one of those "crossing the center line for no apparent reason" cases claimed the lives of two elderly people yesterday (Wednesday, June 12, 2019).

Indiana State Police said that at approximately 4:34 p.m. Wednesday, they responded to a two-vehicle crash on SR 159 north of Bicknell that killed the couple, both of Freelandville, and injured a Vincennes man.

Preliminary investigation revealed John B. Buck, 71 of Freelandville, was driving his 2002 Jeep northbound on SR 159 approximately a half-mile north of Brocksmith Road.

Joshua A. Roark, 27, of Vincennes, was traveling southbound on SR 159 approaching Brocksmith Road when for unknown reasons drove left of center and collided head-on into Buck’s vehicle.

John Buck and his wife, Rita Buck, 71, were both pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. Roark was airlifted to St. Vincent Hospital in Evansville where he is being treated for serious injuries. SR 159 was closed for approximately three hours while troopers investigated the crash.

This is an on-going investigation.

Deceased:

• John B. Buck, 71, Freelandville, Ind. (Family has been notified)
• Rita A. Buck, 71, Freelandville, Ind.

Investigating Trooper: Master Trooper Jim Dotson, Indiana State Police

Assisting Troopers: Sergeant Kylen Compton, Master Trooper Randy Huddleston, Master Trooper Gary Goodman and Trooper Nick Hatfield

Assisting Agencies: Knox County Sheriff’s Department, Bicknell Police, Knox County Coroner’s Office, Knox County EMS, Bicknell Fire Department and Vigo Twp. Fire Department

CARMI, Ill. - Apparently some people have zero regard for being told "don't bother me," hence the need for an Order of Protection.

That may or may not be the case with the singular arrest in Carmi yesterday, but according to police reports on the situation, it sure lends credence to the premise.

Carmi Police reports indicate that this is what happened yesterday (Wednesday, June 12) when at just after 4 p.m., they were called regarding Jason Phillip Schneider, 39, of the 100 block of Maple Street in Carmi.

Schneider, the report states, was arrested for Disorderly Conduct around 5:10 p.m., the arrest stemming from remarks he'd made earlier during a phone call to the victim, who had obtained a no-contact order against him.

The order was served during the arrest by the White County Sheriff's Department.

Schneider was able to bond out on the disorderly. The status of the OP is unknown at this time.

ISP DISTRICTS 12, 19 - Illinois State Police in District 12 (Effingham) and 19 (Carmi) have announced activity and enforcement statistics for the month of May, 2019.

District 12 Effingham

Troopers in District 12, which includes Clark, Clay, Crawford, Cumberland, Effingham, Fayette, Jasper, Lawrence, Marion, and Richland counties, answered 232 calls for service and initiated 2,154 incidents in the field. 

In addition, enforcement figures totaled 1,273 citations and 1,090 written warnings, including 705 speeding citations, 6 DUIs, 133 seat belt citations, 20 child restraint citations, 151 distracted driving violations, 308 written warnings for speeding, 46 move over violations, and 64 criminal arrests.

Troopers also assisted 286 motorists, conducted 281 Motor Carrier Inspections, and investigated 73 traffic crashes. 

There was one fatal traffic crash investigated by District 12 in May.   

During the month, 905 citations and 454 written warnings were issued for “Fatal Four” violations. These violations are most associated with fatal traffic crashes and include Speeding, DUI, Failure to Wear a Seat Belt, and Distracted Driving.

District 19 Carmi

Troopers in District 19, which includes Wabash, Edwards, Wayne, White, Hamilton, Saline, and Gallatin counties, recorded 1,429 incidents during the month.

Enforcement activity consisted of 660 citations and 965 written warnings, including 334 speeding citations, 4 DUIs, 109 occupant restraint citations, 12 criminal arrests, and 260 written warnings for speeding. Troopers also assisted 73 motorists, conducted 161 Motor Carrier Safety Inspections, and investigated 26 traffic crashes.

There was one fatal traffic crash investigated by District 19 during May, resulting in one fatality.

Moreover, District 19 issued 472 citations and 367 written warnings for “Fatal Four” violations. These violations are most associated with fatal traffic crashes and include DUI, Speeding, Failure to Wear a Seatbelt, and Distracted Driving.

DISTRICT 12 EFFINGHAM, Ill. - Illinois State Police has supplied a number of detailed reports regarding recent patrols held in the counties covered by District 12 in Effingham.

Following are the stats for the counties covered by District 12 which include Clark, Clay, Crawford, Effingham, Fayette, Jasper, Marion, Lawrence and Richland counties in southeastern Illinois. They are broken down by separate patrols/counties.

Occupant Restraint Enforcement Patrols (OREP), Lawrence/Richland

Below are the results of the May OREP patrols held in Richland and Lawrence counties during May. These OREPs provided extra patrol coverage for the ISP so officers could focus on saving lives by making sure all vehicle occupants were buckled up.

sTEP patrols, Clark/Cumberland counties

Below are the enforcement figures for the recent special Traffic Enforcement Patrols (sTEP) wave conducted on Sunday, May 26, 2019 in Clark and Cumberland counties.

sTEP patrol, Marion County

Below are enforcement figures for the recent special Traffic Enforcement Patrols (sTEP) wave conducted on Friday, May 24, 2019 in Marion County.

sTEP patrol, Fayette County

Below are enforcement figures for the recent special Traffic Enforcement Patrols (sTEP) wave conducted on Friday, May 24, 2019 in Marion County.

sTEP patrol, Effingham County

Lastly, below are enforcement figures for the recent special Traffic Enforcement Patrols (sTEP) wave conducted on Sunday, May 19, 2019 in Effingham County.

ISP says that slowing down and observing the speed limit not only saves lives, but also saves on gas. Additionally, safety belts are proven to be the most effective safety devices in vehicles today and are estimated to save over 12,000 lives each year. The sTEP program involves a combination of increased enforcement and community education designed to raise public awareness and compliance with all traffic laws. A special emphasis was placed on speeding, failure to wear a safety belt, DUI, and other alcohol-related offenses in areas that experience the highest level of traffic problems. These projects were funded through the Illinois Department of Transportation.

GRAYVILLE, Ill. - Apparently a big pot delivery just couldn't wait until January 1, 2020, when weed gets decriminalized in Illinois.

However, this amount of weed would likely have gotten a local guy hemmed up anyway, as you will see.

As announced on their Facebook page, Grayville PD, following a traffic stop on Monday (June 10, 2019) took one Avery A. McKinney, 23 of Fairfield, into custody on charges of more than 2000g but less than 5000g of Cannabis.

The post notes that at approximately 10:30 p.m. that night, Officer Shannon Trusty had been stationary near the Road Ranger station. After watching what appeared to be suspicious activity located in the Road Ranger parking lot, two vehicles left the property. After both vehicles entered Stephenson Street, the driver of a 1997 Chevrolet 1500 truck failed to stop at the stop sign located at Stephenson and S. Court streets. Officer Trusty then initiated a traffic stop along S. Court St. just north of Road Ranger on that vehicle.

Once making contact with the driver (McKinney), Officer Trusty located a box that she had seen being placed by McKinney inside his vehicle just prior.

Once questioning McKinney about the box, McKinney finally admitted to cannabis being inside the box. McKinney was asked to step out of the vehicle and gave consent to search the vehicle and box. Officer Trusty located what appeared to be a very large quantity of packaged cannabis inside the box. Upon field testing the substance, it did indeed test positive for cannabis. McKinney was then placed under arrest and transported to the White County Jail.

Once at the jail a preliminary weighing of the cannabis was conducted which resulted in approximately 4500 grams of cannabis.

Chief Roy Mann opined in the Facebook post that this is no doubt the largest quantity of cannabis this department has ever seized and possibly in the area...and he gave worthy props to the officers involved.

EFFINGHAM CO., Ill. - Two individuals were transported to hospitals and one of those cited following a three-vehicle traffic accident that occurred earlier today on Illinois 33 in Effingham County.

Illinois State Police in District 12 Effingham worked the accident, which occurred this morning (Thursday, June 13) at 7:48 a.m.

ISP advise preliminary investigative details indicate that a gray 2019 Dodge being driven by Carolyn S. Harris, 58, of Sesser, and a black 2019 Ford being driven by Nathan F. Humphrey, 23, of Midlothian, Virginia, were traveling south near Effingham County 1300th Ave. at that time.

Humphrey slowed and came to a stop due to the fact that the vehicle in front of him was stopped waiting to turn left onto Effingham Co. 1300th Ave. Harris failed to slow down and struck the left rear of Humphrey's Ford with the right front of her Dodge.

Harris then crossed over into the northbound lane and struck the front of a blue 2020 Freightliner being driven by Steven B. Clary, 54, of Olney, which was traveling northbound, with the right front of her Dodge.

Humphrey was transported to St. Anthony's Hospital in Effingham. Harris was transported to Carle Hospital in Champaign; she was later cited for Improper Lane Usage.

LEWISTOWN, Ill. - Illinois State Police Zone 4 investigations have released information concerning a suicide attempt at the Fulton County Jail earlier today.

ISP said that earlier today (Friday, June 14), Fulton County Sheriff Jeff Standard contacted the Illinois State Police Zone 4 – Macomb Investigations Office to conduct an investigation into the suicide attempt by Justin L. Mowrar, 24. 

Mowrar was incarcerated at the Fulton County Jail on domestic battery charges when he attempted to commit suicide.

Fulton County Jail staff discovered Mowrar attempting to commit suicide and immediately began performing lifesaving techniques on Mowrar by administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). 

Mowrar was transported to Graham Medical Center in Canton by Fulton County EMS. He was later airlifted to St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria where he continues to receive treatment for injuries sustained during the suicide attempt. 

McLEAN CO., Ill. - A Montana woman is in custody on an extremely high bond after Illinois State Police caught her allegedly not willing to wait out Illinois' decriminalization of pot, and trafficking not only that, but magic mushrooms as well.

ISP advises that the traffic stop made by an Illinois State Trooper this week has resulted in the arrest of one suspect and the seizure of 143 pounds of cannabis, 14 pounds of mushrooms, and 9 pounds of cannabis wax. 

On June 12, 2019, an Illinois State Trooper from District 6 stopped a passenger vehicle on Interstate 74 near south Bloomington after observing a traffic violation. During the traffic stop, the Trooper observed indicators of possible criminal activity. An ISP canine alerted to the odor of illegal drugs within the vehicle.   

A subsequent search of the sports utility vehicle by Troopers resulted in the seizure of 143 pounds of cannabis, 14 pounds of mushrooms, and 9 pounds of cannabis wax. 

Arrested for Controlled Substance Trafficking and Cannabis Trafficking was Amber Widner, 36, of Bozeman, Montana.  Widner has been incarcerated at the McLean County Jail and has been formally charged by the McLean County State’s Attorney.  A McLean County Judge has set her bond at $75,000 cash.

CARMI, Ill. - There are just some crims whose ongoing arrests are nothing if not good for comedic relief in both content and presentation.

Such is the case of Jeremy Scott Allen, repeat offender in White County.

Allen, 40 of Carmi, was behind a series of events yesterday (Thursday, June 13) that no doubt caused a bit of grief and consternation for folks in and around the Carmi Motel right on the main drag through town, following a felony warrant arrest complete with the local K9 to assist.

Carmi police say at about 5 p.m. yesterday, they traveled to the motel trying to get Allen to come out of a room he had apparently booked there. Allen, however, had other ideas, and refused to come out.

At that point, police told him that they were going to send the K9, Orest, into the room to get Allen to come out, and apparently, when Orest began barking, that was enough to flush the felon. He came out and was arrested without incident on two felony warrants - Domestic Battery with Prior Aggravated Battery and Retail Theft with Prior Possession of Stolen Vehicle.

Allen was transported to the city/county jail and as of this afternoon (Friday, June 14) was being held on $3,000 cash bond on the total of the two warrants...and he was gracious enough to smile (somewhat goofily, as is his tradition) for the current mugshot. Click the hotlink on his name to see prior mugs.

PONTIAC, Ill. - Illinois State Police (ISP) Zone 5 Investigations is requesting the public’s assistance in locating a missing 51-year-old woman, Beatrice Field, of Jasper, Indiana.

On June 13, 2019, ISP District 6 and Zone 5 Investigations responded to an abandoned vehicle (Kia) at the Limestone Rest Area near Pontiac. The vehicle had been abandoned since May 29, 2019.

Field was identified on a rest area surveillance video walking from the vehicle on May 30, 2019, seen below.

Field, pictured here, is described as 5’ 0” and approximately 100 pounds. Foul play is not suspected.

If you have any information on the whereabouts of Beatrice Field, please contact ISP Pontiac Communications Center at (815) 844-1500.

CUMBERLAND CO., Ill. - A crash on Interstate 70 in Cumberland County sent two from Las Vegas to Carle Hospital in Urbana.

Illinois State Police in District 12 Effingham said the single-vehicle crash occurred at 6:07 p.m. Friday evening, June 14, 2019.

Preliminary investigative details indicate that a black 2003 Ford 4-door sedan being driven by Chene Durley, 56, of Las Vegas, was traveling eastbound on Interstate 70 near Milepost 114 in Cumberland County, when the driver’s side rear tire abruptly ruptured.

As a result of the tire failure, Durley lost control of the Ford sedan, which then skidded off of the roadway and entered the median. It then rolled over several times and came to rest on its passenger’s side. 

Durley was transported to Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana, and a passenger, Initia Durley, 60, also of Vegas, was airlifted to same.

The vehicle was towed from the scene. No charges have been issued.

RICHLAND CO., Ill. - A special Richland County Board meeting is set to be held Monday, June 17, 2019.

Below is the agenda, as supplied by County Clerk Alice Mullinax.

GIBSON CO., Ind. - Following a two-month investigation, Indiana State Police Detectives Brock Werne and Tobias Odom have arrested Nathan Stewart, 63, Princeton, Ind., for: 

Possession of Child Pornography With an Aggravating Factor, IC 35-42-4-4(d), Level 5 Felony 

During the course of their investigation, Detectives Werne and Odom were issued a search warrant from the Gibson County Superior Court for Stewart's electronic device/s, subsequently resulting in thousands of child pornographic images being located. 

Earlier Friday, June 14, an arrest warrant was issued for Stewart and he was immediately taken into custody by Detectives Werne and Odom. Stewart is currently incarcerated at the Gibson County Jail with a $12,500.00 Surety Bond.

KNOX CO., Ind. - A Petersburg man is behind bars today after what was no doubt a ridiculous scene: After attempting to fight civilians following a crash, he led police on a 20-mph chase that lasted an hour and a half.

Indiana State Police said that early this morning (Saturday, June 15 at approximately 2:00 A.M.) Vincennes City Police responded to a vehicle crash where the driver was trying to leave the scene. 

The driver appeared to be intoxicated and attempted to fight civilians who were trying to stop him.  

When Vincennes  Police arrived on scene, the driver got back into his vehicle and fled, swerving at two Vincennes Police vehicles. Vincennes Police initiated a pursuit. Trooper Nicholas Hatfield was able to deploy stop sticks at the intersection of Willow Street and 14th Street, striking the left rear tire. 

The vehicle continued east on Willow Street and onto US 41 South. The vehicle then exited US 41 and  traveled several county roads throughout Knox County, mostly southbound.

Two other attempts at stop sticks failed to strike the vehicle. The vehicle would also swerve at police vehicles that were getting close to him.

Ultimately, the vehicle got onto 241 South which took it into the town of Decker. On 241 west of Decker the vehicle lost control and struck a telephone pole with the rear of the truck. The utility pole snapped and fell into the roadway, causing a Vincennes Police Officer’s patrol car to be covered by live power lines. Decker Fire and Duke Power Company where dispatched to assist the VPD officer who could not exit his patrol car due to power lines. (ISP noted here that Duke Power Company had a fantastic response time.)  

The truck continued through a field and got back onto 241 westbound. Gibson County had a deputy on 241 at US 41 with stop sticks deployed and struck the right rear tire. The vehicle got back on 41 and went south into Gibson County...which is where the vehicle finally became immobilized at Trippett Road just south of Steelman Road east of Hazelton.

 The driver was taken into custody at approximately 3:28 A.M. 

The suspect, identified as Joshua L. Hyneman, 36, of Petersburg, was transported to the Knox County Jail. 

The pursuit lasted approximately 1.5 hours.  The average speed was approximately 20 mph even on major roadways and there was very little traffic, ISP stated in a prepared statement.

Hyneman has been charged with Felony Resisting Law Enforcement with a Vehicle; Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated .15 or more (BAC tested .160) and OVWI Endangerment, both misdemeanor offenses; Reckless Driving, and two counts of Leaving the Scene of a Property Damage Accident, the first in the city of Vincennes, the next on State Road 241), both misdemeanors.

ISP reports that Vincennes City Police worked the crash in Vincennes and Knox County Sheriff's Department worked the Crash in Decker.

Arresting Officer:  Trooper Nicholas Hatfield; Troopers:  Trooper Casey Boekman

                  Trooper James Manning               

Assisting Agencies: Knox County Sheriff’s Department, Gibson County Sheriff's Department, Vincennes City Police, Princeton City Police, Owensville Police, Decker Fire Department and Duke Energy.

FAYETTE CO., Ill. - Three young people were transported to Fayette County Hospital early this morning after what Illinois State Police say was a DUI crash that ended in the vehicle burning up.

The single-vehicle incident occurred this morning (Saturday, June 15) in Fayette County at 12:45 a.m. on Illinois Route 185 just west of Fayette County Road 500 E.

ISP said preliminary investigative details indicate that a 2008 Chevrolet being driven by Ryan D. Snider, 22, of Ramsey, left the roadway, struck the left ditch and overturned where it came to rest on the roof.

With Snider were passengers Kelsy S. Chamberlin, 26, and a 17-year-old male, both also of Ramsey.

All occupants were able escape the vehicle prior to it catching fire and being destroyed.

All three were transported to Fayette County Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries, according to ISP.

Snider was subsequently cited for Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol and Improper Lane Usage.

ROSICLARE, Ill. - The little riverside town of Rosiclare in Hardin County has experienced a crime at one of their local attractions, and authorities are investigating.

The Hardin County Sheriff's Department has reported that a break-in occurred this morning (Saturday, June 15) in Rosiclare at the American Fluorite Museum.

A large amount of fluorspar specimens were stolen.

A $1000.00 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those involved.

The Hardin County Sheriff's Department urges anyone with info to contact them at (618)-287-2271 or Rosiclare City Police Department at (618)-285-2000.

CLAY CO., Ill. - A driver from Flora caught a bit of trouble - and several charges - after rolling his car on a country road, then causing problems for responders after they arrived to assist him and his passenger.

Illinois State Police were called to work the wreck, which happened this morning, Sunday, June 16, at 1:52 a.m.

ISP said that the preliminary investigation shows a blue 2014 Hyundai coupe being driven by Logan L. Stone, 22, of Flora, was westbound on Clay County Road 700N approximately a half-mile east of U.S. Route 45 at that time. With Stone was passenger Zachary Horath, 23, also of Flora.

Stone lost control of the vehicle and swerved off the roadway to the right. The car struck several trees and a utility pole, overturned and came to a resting point on the north side of the roadway.

Horath was injured and was transported via ambulance to the Clay County Hospital in Flora.

Stone was cited for Improper Lane Usage, Operating Uninsured Motor Vehicle, and Obstructing a Police Officer (the ISP report doesn't indicate what allegedly transpired for Stone to catch that last charge.)