A nearly four-month long investigation alleging insurance fraud was completed by the Indiana State Police and was recently submitted to the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office.  The investigation has resulted in the arrest of Lucas P. Zeien, 37, of Evansville, IN.

The state police investigation began on February 13th of this year the result of an anonymous tip. The tip alleged Lucas Zeien and Kerri Zeien had divorced sometime in April of 2008 and Lucas Zeien failed to report the change of marital status and update authorized dependents for purposes of health insurance benefits.  This resulted in Lucas Zeien’s former wife and two children from a previous marriage continuing to utilize health insurance under the plan that covers Indiana State Police personnel.

As a result of this investigation, the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office charged Lucas Zeien with the crime of Insurance Fraud, a Level 6 Felony.

Lucas P. Zeien was appointed to the department as a state police officer on July 8, 2007 and was assigned patrol duties at the Evansville State Police Post until he was later assigned to serve in investigations in August of 2015.  Effective February 22, 2017, as a result of the allegation and subsequent investigation, Zeien was placed on Administrative Duties, with pay, at the Evansville State Police Post.  Since that date, Zeien’s authority to act as a law enforcement officer has been suspended.  Now, as a result of the filing of charges by the Marion County Prosecutor’s office on June 13, 2017, Zeien’s status has changed to Administrative Leave Without Pay.

Now that criminal charges have been filed by the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office, Zeien will be the subject of an Indiana State Police Internal Investigation.  Depending upon the outcome of the Internal Investigation Zeien may be subject to suspension for a period of time, or termination of employment.  Prior to this ongoing allegation, Zeien had no previous allegations of misconduct in his file.

No further information related to this ongoing criminal allegation or pending Internal Investigation is available from the Indiana State Police.  Any future inquiries regarding the pending criminal matter should be directed to the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office.

A booking photo was not available at the time this release was published, please see the attached state police file photo.

Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating an ATV accident that resulted in the death of an 11 year old Gibson County boy.

The juvenile victim, 11, of Haubstadt was operating a John Deere side by side ATV in a field near the intersection of CR 350 S and CR 450 E in Francisco.  During a turn the ATV rolled over ejecting the driver.  The ATV then landed on top of the victim pinning him to the ground.  The victim was transported to Gibson General Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The incident occurred at 3:13 pm on June 13^th 2017.  No helmet or restraint harness was used.

Responding Agencies included the Gibson County Sheriff’s Department, Gibson County EMS and Indiana Conservation Officers.

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