MT. CARMEL, Ill. - Mt. Carmel Police had an active New Year’s holiday before and after the festivities, with an out-of-stater also making the report just a couple of days ago, and a rotten teenager allegedly using a stun gun on a relative.
But first, the report starts on December 29, when Mt. Carmel Police arrested Alexandria M. Swatsley-Vernon, 23, of Mt. Carmel, for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Possession of Another’s Debit Card following a traffic stop in the 900 block of N Market Street. During the stop, Ofc. Hopper arrived with his K-9 Ace for a free air narcotics sniff around the exterior of the gold Buick Swatsley-Vernon was driving. Ace alerted on the vehicle, which resulted in a search of the Buick. In doing so, the arresting officer located two plastic tubes containing suspected narcotic residue along with a mirror. Also discovered were three debit cards not belonging to her, two of which had been reported stolen. During the stop it was found that the passenger, Karen S. Melton, 51, of Vincennes, Ind., was wanted on a Lawrence County Warrant for Failure to Appear. Both females were transported to the Wabash County Jail where they were charged and held pending the posting of bond.
On Dec 30, MCPD arrested Kristi L. Dudley, age 41, of Haubstadt, Ind., for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Driving While License Suspended following a traffic stop in the 400 block of West Ninth Street. During the traffic stop the arresting officer requested Deputy Keagan Bogard, of the Wabash County Sheriff’s Office, along with his K-9 Roy, to assist by conducting a free air narcotics sniff to the exterior of the white Cadillac Dudley was operating. Roy alerted on the vehicle so a search was conducted resulting in a red straw, containing suspected narcotic residue, being located in the vehicle. Dudley was transported to the Wabash County Jail where she was charged and held pending the posting of bond.
Also on Dec. 30, MCPD arrested Dexter O. Willitts Jr., 18, of Mt. Carmel, for Domestic Battery following a domestic call to a residence in the 100 block of West Fourth Street. Upon arrival, officers found evidence to believe Willitts had used a stun gun on a sibling during a dispute. Willitts was placed under arrest and transported to the Wabash County Jail where he was charged and held pending a bond setting by a judge
On Dec. 31, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Roger D. Dardeen, 56 of Mt. Carmel, for Driving While License Suspended following a traffic stop in the 5th and Cedar Street. Dardeen was placed under arrest and transported to the Wabash County Jail where he was held pending the posting of bond.
And on January 2, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Kimberly G. Gawthorp, 55, of Champaign, for Possession of Methamphetamine, Driving on a Revoked Driver’s License as well as Operating a Vehicle with Suspended Registration following a traffic stop in the area of 9th and Empire streets. After Gawthorp was arrested for the traffic offenses, officers located a clear bag of suspected methamphetamine inside her purse. Gawthrop was transported to the Wabash County Jail where she was charged and held pending the bond setting by a judge.