Articles

Officers recognize, arrest woman who barked at police dog

An Indiana woman who barked at a police dog attracted the attention of officers, who then arrested her on outstanding warrants. Lafayette police say officers were conducting a traffic stop Monday when 20-year-old Kiana Champagne Fletcher, who was standing in front of her home, began barking at a police dog sniffing the stopped car.

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Bill: Public servants who steal would repay from pensions

The House Committee on Courts and Criminal Code on Wednesday unanimously stripped a proposed bill of language that would have required Indiana public officials to serve prison time for theft of taxpayer dollars. In its place, the committee added a provision to recoup any monetary losses from the pension funds of officials convicted of theft.

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Hendricks Judge Freese faces discipline charges

A Hendricks County judge and former leader of the Indiana Judges Association is facing disciplinary charges stemming from allegations that he appointed a friend as trustee of an estate case, then failed to take prompt action upon learning that the man was not fulfilling his duties and was possibly stealing from the trust.

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Former Van Buren town marshal pleads guilty to pain medication theft

A former Indiana town marshal is pleading guilty after authorities alleged he broke into the home of a local elected official and stole pain medication while still wearing his police uniform. Former Van Buren Town Marshal Donald R. Bosley admitted during a hearing on Dec. 19 that he entered the home of Van Buren Town Council President Tony Manry in May and stole the medication.

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15-month prison term for Porter Co. cop who stole from police group

The former treasurer of a Valparaiso police organization has been sentenced to 15 months in prison for stealing nearly $190,000. Lawrence LaFlower told a federal judge Monday that “everything revolved around gambling,” which is why he began embezzling money from Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 165 in Valparaiso.

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S. Indiana man hears charges in chase that killed Charlestown officer

Benjamin Eads of Freedom appeared in court Monday in Scott County on charges including auto theft and resisting law enforcement, which led to a death. Authorities say Eads fled a traffic stop on Dec. 12, triggering a police chase during which Charlestown Officer Benton Bertram’s vehicle struck a tree. Bertram was pronounced dead at the scene.

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Abusive boyfriend’s criminal confinement conviction affirmed

The Indiana Court of Appeals found there was sufficient evidence to support a man’s criminal confinement conviction after he beat up his girlfriend, dragged her by the hair and stomped on her already broken leg. The appellate panel found he substantially interfered with her liberty without her consent.

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Justices send dismissed post-conviction case back to COA

The Indiana Court of Appeals errantly dismissed a man’s post-conviction relief case, the Indiana Supreme Court ruled, reinstating the man’s case last week and remanding it to the lower appellate court. Justices on Tuesday granted transfer in Kenny Green v. State of Indiana, 18S-PC-562, for the purpose of reinstating Green’s PCR case in the Indiana Court of Appeals with instructions to establish a briefing schedule for review of his appeal on the merits.

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Scrap dealer’s request to dismiss Hammond bridge theft charge denied

A federal judge has denied a northwestern Indiana scrap metal dealer’s request to dismiss charges for allegedly demolishing a historic Hammond railroad bridge and selling the metal for $18,000. Kenneth Morrison argued the grand jury didn’t get an accurate picture of whether the city of Hammond or the railroad company owned the Monon Bridge, but Judge Philip Simon said prosecutors only have to prove Morrison had no claim to the scrap metal.

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Southern District renews warning against jury duty scam

Increasing jury duty scams have led the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana to once again warn Hoosiers of potentially falling prey to an illegitimate summons. The court is reminding the public of tips to safeguard against scammers.

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Ex-Indiana town marshal put on house arrest ahead of trial

A judge has placed a former Indiana town marshal on house arrest ahead of his trial on charges that he allegedly took medication from a home while in uniform. This week’s update came after Donald R. Bosley admitted to leaving the state and consuming controlled substances without a prescription.

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