“Our liberties we prize, and our rights we will maintain.” Since 1882 ~ Successor to The Poseyville News and The New Harmony Times • New Harmony, IN Posey County’s locally-owned newspaper
Tuesday October 4, 2011
$1.00
(USPS 439-500)
Volume 131 Edition 41
Operation Heat Wave sends ‘shock waves’ thoughout Posey By Dave Pearce When Posey County Prosecutor Travis Clowers and Sheriff Greg Oeth were running for their respective offices in Posey County about a year ago, both promised their first priority would be to try and get a grip on the drug problem in Posey County. Clowers ran as a Republican and Oeth as a Democrat but the two have apparently joined forces and good things seem to be happening as a result. With the Posey County Drug Task Force leading the way and some help from friends in several branches of law enforcement throughout the state, the two men made a big step in fulfilling their promise on Friday. An early-morning raid resulted in the arrest of all 21 of those who were being sought on drug charges. The group made the final arrest on Sunday morning around 10:30 a.m. when Malissa Lynn Linder surrendered herself and was taken into custody under the authority of a warrant issued for her arrest. With help from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Indiana State Police, the Indiana State Police SWAT team, the ATF, the Posey County Sheriff’s Department, and the Mount Vernon Police Department, the group of some 95 officers made their first arrest around 6 a.m. on Friday, the result of an investigation which began in February. “I think this will send shock waves through the drug community here in Posey County,” Clowers said following the successful completion of the operation. “I think they realize now that we are not waiting to find them. We are going to go out and find them. But while local law enforcement was happy with the first of what has been termed “Operation Heat Wave,” they are fully aware that despite making a dent in Posey’s drug problem, they are far from finished with their work. “We served 20 arrest warrants this morning for various charging ranging from dealing in methamphetamine to dealing in prescription pills, marijuana, and cocaine,” Clowers said once all officers had returned to the command post which was set up just outside of Mount Vernon. “It was successful and everyone is safe.” Clowers was quick to give credit to all law enforcement involved with the operation but was especially proud of the work that has been done by members of the Posey County Drug Task Force, despite their limited numbers and limited resources. Former Mount Vernon Police Chief Ken Rose who was the organizer from the prosecutor’s office of the pre-dawn raid said it was the result of a seven-month undercover investigation. “We had originally intended it to target illegal prescription pill sales but it branched out to crack cocaine, methamphetamine, stolen weapons, and other controlled substances,” Rose said. “We asked for assistance from the FBI and their Task Force officers that are provided to them by the Indiana State and Evansville Police departments. They kept in contact with us and helped us with an undercover purchase of a stolen firearm.” Rose said the operation then snowballed into more undercover drug buys. Rose said he believes that with this arrest, it is his belief that the main supply of crack cocaine into Posey County has now been cut off. “This is part of a joint effort where we are all trying to be more proactive in dealing with our drug problem,” Clowers said. “It was a smooth operation and there were no injuries,” Oeth said of the successful raid. “I am happy that all our officers went out and came back safely. We will be starting to bring these folks into our court system later on this morning. I think we are sending a message that we
Continued on Page A3
Tips, hard work, good ‘Fortune’ result in 21 arrests
Following the successful arrest raid in Mount Vernon on Friday, Indiaia State Police Lt. Dennis Marshall, Mount Vernon Police Chief Grant Beloat, Posey County Sheriff Greg Oeth, Posey County Prosecutor Travis Clowers, and Task Force coordinator Kenneth Rose address the press. All 21 warrants were successfully executed over the weekend. Photos by Dave Pearce
Posey Detective Tom Lathan checks out the surroundings.
Don Pilkington is taken into custody after drugs were found.
Posey Deputies Frank Smith and Don Montgomery watch as a test for a Members of the Indiana State Police brought out the heavy controlled substance comes up positive immediately. armor during Friday’s raid.
Juncker gets ‘second lease’ on life, thanks lifesavers
By Dave Pearce The Black Township Fire and Rescue honored emergency personnel and a civilian for their outstanding services this week. Off-duty firefighter Brian Matthews and GAF worker Rob Goodwin were honored by the department. On August 11, 2011, the Black Township Fire and Rescue, and the Posey County EMS responded to a medical call at GAF in Mount Vernon. Upon arrival, medical personnel found that CPR was in progress the Jerri Juncker, 47, of Mount Vernon, was transported to the hospital and has made a recovery. Without the help of the bystanders and the emergency crews this would have not been possible. Matthews an off duty firefighter was on the scene and for his efforts The Black Township Fire Department honored Brian Matthews for his lifesaving effort recently. Pahe was presented a life saving med- tient Jerri Juncker was able to meet the men who saved her life. Pictured, from right to left, are Greg Continued on Page A4 Elderkin, Rob Goodwin, Jerri Juncker, Brian Matthews, Esther Holder, and Jay Price. Photo submitted
ThePCN
Inside this issue... Retrospective ................. A4 Legals....................... A11-B8 Classifieds ................. B9-10
Go to www.poseycountynews.com Community ........... A5 Social ...................... A6 Deaths ................... A3 Sports .................. B1-7 School.................... A9 Bus./Ag .................. A8
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