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AG Zoeller: Religious community rallies together against human trafficking Sunday is Human Trafficking Day of Prayer, Awareness

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INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Religious communities in Indiana and across the globe will recognize this Sunday, Feb. 8, as the first-ever International Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking.

Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller is urging churches, congregations, synagogues, mosques and other religious assemblies in Indiana to participate and demand an end to this $150 billion industry that victimizes countless men, women and children each year.

Though it may seem like a distant crime, Zoeller said, Indiana communities are not immune to human trafficking. State, federal and nonprofit agencies investigated more than 100 human trafficking tips in Indiana last year. The average age at which children in the United States first become victims of sex trafficking is 12-14, and 83 percent of sex trafficking victims in the U.S. are U.S. citizens.

“For too long these horrific crimes flourished largely unnoticed by the public, and thankfully that is starting to change,” Zoeller said. “We now know that human trafficking is happening right here at home, and its victims are our most vulnerable citizens. Being aware of these crimes, knowing the warning signs and refusing to tolerate the commercial sex industry that fuels trafficking are all critical to this fight. Support from the religious community will help spread the message far and wide that these crimes must come to an end.”

The Indiana Protection for Abused and Trafficked Humans (IPATH) Task Force, of which Zoeller is co-chair, distributed flyers about the Day of Prayer and Awareness to faith groups across the state. The Catholic community has made this effort a priority, and more than 400 Catholic churches in Indiana have been encouraged to include special prayers this Sunday.

“The Catholic communities of Indiana support the efforts of our Attorney General, Greg Zoeller, to call the attention of all Hoosiers to the heinous reality of human trafficking,” said Archbishop Joseph Tobin, C.Ss.R. “As incredible as it seems, the enslavement of human beings continues across the world and is manifest even in the United States of America. The essence of human trafficking is the denial of personal freedoms and, while this abuse assumes many forms, the common denominator is the goal of exploiting human beings through coercion and or force. The Catholic Church has long spoken out against the depravity of human trafficking and slavery. We are grateful that our Attorney General is determined not to look the other way.”

The International Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking was designated as such by The Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace and the International Union of Superiors General.

The IPATH Task Force offers trainings on how to identify and respond to human trafficking, and collaborates on ways to reduce human trafficking for sex and labor in Indiana. In 2014, the Task Force trained nearly 2,000 people statewide on identifying and preventing human trafficking, which included members of law enforcement, the medical community, child-care and education professionals, social workers and others.

Zoeller has supported legislative changes in Indiana that make it easier to prosecute and hold traffickers accountable and also serves on the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) Standing Committee Against Human Trafficking. He also created a public pledge in Indiana to promote zero tolerance for the sex industry called “Don’t Buy the Lie.”

Individuals and organizations can pledge their commitment in the fight against human trafficking here: www.in.gov/attorneygeneral/humantrafficking. For more information about the Attorney General’s human trafficking prevention efforts, visit www.in.gov/attorneygeneral/humantrafficking. To schedule a human trafficking prevention training event or to learn more about these efforts, contact humantraffickinginfo@atg.in.gov.

Human trafficking tips can be reported to the National Human Trafficking Hotline at: 888-3737-888 (text BeFree- 233733). If it is an emergency, call 911. If a child may be in danger, call the Indiana Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline: 1-800-800-5556. Tips can also be reported to the Indiana Attorney General’s Office by emailing humantraffickingtip@atg.in.gov.

NOT SO GREAT DECISIONS OF HISTORY

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Gavel Gamut

By Jim Redwine

(Week of 09 February 2015)

NOT SO GREAT DECISIONS OF HISTORY

“All right, men of the Fighting 7th Cavalry, let’s just ride straight into that sleeping little Indian camp.”

“Release unto us Barabbas.”

“Don’t worry about the weather. Our Spanish fleet is indestructible.”

“Relax, fellow Redcoats. Not even George Rogers Clark could get his men through that frozen swamp.”

“I’m Sonny Liston and I don’t care what you say your name is; to me you’re Cassius Clay.”

“I’m going to just blow this fast ball right past you, Bobby Thomson; you won’t beat me again with a homerun as you did in game one of the playoff,” said Brooklyn Dodger pitcher Ralph Branca.

“Are you kidding me? Of course we’ll pit our 9 foot tall warrior against that boy with his slingshot.”

“I say we’re going into Russia right now. A handful of generals named December, January, February and March doesn’t scare me,” said Napoleon then Hitler.

“Those backwoods Americans are so dumb they are going to give us fifteen million dollars for the Louisiana Purchase,” said France.

And Russia couldn’t hide its glee when we bought Seward’s Icebox. Gold was discovered in Alaska soon thereafter.

“Look at all these glass beads we got from those white men for Manhattan Island.”

“You don’t think Menelaus and Agamemnon will get too upset if I steal Helen, do you?”

“I am the great Achilles. My mother is a wood nymph. I have no fear of Apollo and plan to destroy his offensive Trojan statue.”

“Look what those cowardly Greeks left on the battlefield. Let’s just capture this huge wooden horse and take it inside the walls.”

“Oh come on, Adam. Take a bite.”

“They say they’re from the government and they’re here to help us. Let’s see how it works out.”

“We’ll wipe out their fleet at Pearl Harbor and that will keep America out of the war.”

And, “I know we’re on the one yard line with less than 30 seconds left, one time-out and three more downs. Yes, I know we have a Mack truck disguised as a running back. But, I think we’ll just throw a little pass right into the middle of their line.”

Governor Pence Statement on Higher Education in Indiana

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Indianapolis – Governor Mike Pence issued the following statement in advance of the President’s visit to Ivy Tech Community College in Indianapolis this afternoon.

“Indiana has worked hard to make college more affordable, and our financial aid for community college is among the most generous in the nation. Because of our state’s financial aid programs, community college is already free for a significant number of our students and heavily discounted for others. The State of Indiana receives federal funds for a broad range of programs and would certainly evaluate funds to help Hoosiers attain college degrees, should Congress make them available.  The best way to increase graduation rates is to make sure that our students are academically prepared for college and that colleges and universities encourage students to graduate on time with the least expense to them and their families.”

 

Crime Free Multi-Housing Unit Media Invitation

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Friday, February 6, 2015 at 3:00 p.m. the Evansville Police Department’s Crime Free Multi-Housing Unit will be certifying Shady Tree Apartments at 3900 N. Fulton Avenue as a Gold Certified Property in the Crime Free Multi-Housing program.

The certification process requires a property to complete three phases in order to become fully certified. Shady Tree Apartments have been working toward this goal since early 2013, investing a large amount of time, money, and effort into improving their property and the quality of life for their residents.

At this event the E.P.D. will be presenting the property with its Gold certificate and signage to display on the property and it is also a chance for the residents to meet the officers, management and each other.

Shady Tree Apartments is a 126 unit apartment community located on Evansville’s northwest side. Jessica Barnhill is the manager of the complex and her phone number is 422-4444. EPD contacts for this event are Officer Eric Krogman 435-6116 or Officer Kevin Corbin 485-3061.

Multi-Agency Law Enforcement Effort Uncovers Large-Scale Meth Organization 

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SPONSORED BY DEFENSE ATTORNEY IVAN ARNAEZ.
 DON’T GO TO COURT ALONE. CALL IVAN ARNAEZ @ 812-424-6671.
 

Early 2013, detectives with Evansville/Vanderburgh Joint Task Force began an investigating into a methamphetamine drug trafficking organization, operating primarily out of Vanderburgh County, Indiana.

Through the work of detectives a number of key individuals in the organization were identified.  The investigation culminated originally with a series of arrests made in and around May of 2014.  In spite of those key individuals being arrested, Detectives continued working in an attempt to ensure that all involved parties were identified and that no stone was left unturned.

Subsequent to those initial arrests, detectives began receiving information indicating that a number of the individuals arrested in the May takedown had posted bond, rejoined the organization and began actively participating in the operations of the organization at a larger scale than they had previously.

Over the course of the next 6 months, detectives were able to identify a large number of the individuals involved in the drug trafficking organization and were able to effectuate arrests that had a direct impact on the supply of methamphetamine and the organizations structure.

Arrests of individuals tied to the organization were made in August, September and November, respectfully.  During those arrests, approximately twenty (20) pounds of methamphetamine was seized.

Detectives received information that a principal member of the drug trafficking organization was trafficking an extremely large quantity of methamphetamine was being trafficked into Vanderburgh County.  On December 25, 2014, approximately seventeen (17) pounds of methamphetamine was seized as it was making its way back to Vanderburgh County, Indiana.

In late December, 2014, Detectives received information from multiple sources that individuals involved in the operations within the organization had abducted and assaulted one (1) individual and had planned to do the same to another.

On January 6, 2015, state and federal arrest warrants were executed with the help of a multiple law enforcement agencies on several individuals.   The Federal arrests were made for methamphetamine dealing and/or trafficking related offenses.  The State arrests were made for Conspiracy to Commit Murder, Attempted Murder, Criminal Confinement and Conspiracy to Commit Criminal Confinement.

Over the course of the investigation, multiple pound quantities of methamphetamine tied to this drug trafficking organization were seized on multiple occasions through the collective effort of the law enforcement agencies that have participated in this investigation.

Today marks a culmination of the diligent investigation undertaken by all involved law enforcement agencies into this methamphetamine drug trafficking organization.  The arrest warrants that were judicially issued yesterday and today related to the individuals involved in the drug trafficking organization are for the following individuals…

 

Acting United States Attorney Josh Minkler said, “Methamphetamine has been a scourge in the Southern Indiana area for many years.  My office continues the use of federal law to intervene in any way possible and help make our communities safe from meth dealers. I am very pleased with cooperation and teamwork displayed by our local law enforcement partners and the good work of Mr. Hermann and the Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s Office.”

State Charges:

Eva Buck – Conspiracy to Commit Dealing in Methamphetamine  (A)

James Ling – Conspiracy to Commit Dealing in Methamphetamine  (A)

Robert Robertson Jr. – Attempted Murder / Conspiracy to Commit Dealing in Methamphetamine  (A)(1)

Edward Nance – Conspiracy to Commit Dealing in Methamphetamine  (A)

Montrako Bradley – Conspiracy to Commit Dealing in Methamphetamine (A)

Joseph Wagner – Conspiracy to Commit Dealing in Methamphetamine  (A)

Bonnie Kay Wangler – Conspiracy to Commit Dealing in Methamphetamine (B)

Eric Tanksley – Conspiracy to Commit Dealing in Methamphetamine  (2)

Blake Selby – Conspiracy to Commit Dealing in Methamphetamine  (2)

Mark Darnell – Conspiracy to Commit Dealing in Methamphetamine  (2)

Jamar Hooser – Attempted Murder / Conspiracy to Commit Dealing in Methamphetamine  (1/2)

Amy Robertson – Attempted Murder

Jason Greenlee – Attempted Murder

Tavon Clark – Attempted Murder

Royce Calvin – Attempted Murder

Joshua Brown – Dealing in a Synthetic Cannabinoid

Meko Levels Jr. – Dealing in a Synthetic Cannabinoid

Freddie Wiggins – Possession of a Firearm by a Serious Violent Felon (4)

Michelle McGoin – Possession of a Firearm by a Felon

Allen Fox – Conspiracy to Commit Dealing in Methamphetamine  (2)

Roger Streete – Conspiracy to Commit Dealing in Methamphetamine  (2)

Michael Kline – Conspiracy to Commit Dealing in Methamphetamine  (2)

Stephen Kline – Conspiracy to Commit Dealing in Methamphetamine  (2)

Stephen Hart – Conspiracy to Commit Dealing in Methamphetamine  (2)

Sheila Taylor – Conspiracy to Commit Dealing in Methamphetamine  (2)

Nathan Robertson – Conspiracy to Commit Dealing in Methamphetamine (2)

Jerald Clark Jr. – Conspiracy to Commit Dealing in Methamphetamine  (2)

Roy Durham Sr. – Conspiracy to Commit Dealing in Methamphetamine  (2)

Carolyn Sapp – Conspiracy to Commit Dealing in Methamphetamine  (2)

Richard Catt Jr. – Conspiracy to Commit Dealing in Methamphetamine  (2)

Aaron Ray – Conspiracy to Commit Dealing in Methamphetamine (2)

David Cobb – Conspiracy to Commit Dealing in Methamphetamine  (2)

Tony Sikes – Conspiracy to Commit Dealing in Methamphetamine  (2)

Chad Pate – Conspiracy to Commit Dealing in Methamphetamine  (2)

Troy Durham Sr. –Dealing in Methamphetamine  (4)

Melanie Martin –Dealing in Methamphetamine  (4)

Nick Clingerman – Conspiracy to Commit Dealing in Methamphetamine  (2)

Federally indicted:

Eric Tanksley

Terrence Cosby  

Eric Stinson

Eva Buck

Brian Tucker

Gregory Frankenberger   

Sean Killion

Steven Barnett

Rosario Ramirez-Ayala   

Marcelo Ramirez-Ayala

Brian Tucker

Sean McClain

Michelle Pippin

Jayson Hayes    

Jamar Hooser

Lyron Miller

Patrick Pate

James Hezel     

Timothy Ritzler

Michelle Pippin

Sean McClain

James Ling      

Sean Killion

Steven Barnett

Eva Buck

Jamar Hooser

Robert Robertson Jr.    

Amy Robertson

Gregory Tincher

Appeals court strips grandmother’s visitation, cites grandchild’s adoption

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Dave Stafford for www.theindianalawyer.com

An Indiana Court of Appeals panel Friday stripped a maternal grandparent of visitation rights, finding she had no standing to seek visitation. The parents of the child had divorced, and the father remarried shortly after the mother’s death.

After her petition was initially denied by a special judge, Hamilton Superior Judge William Hughes granted a motion to correct error and granted Melba Sutliffe’s petition for grandparent visitation. The court allowed her visitation one weekend a month, one week in summer and extra time around holidays. The child’s father, Kirk R. Jocham, appealed.

According to the record, Jocham and Sutliffe’s daughter, Stephenie Jocham, had one child, K.J., in 2004. The Jochams, both attorneys, divorced in 2008, and Stephenie died in 2011 from a rare form of cancer. That same year, K.J.’s father remarried, and a year later he and stepmother Emily adopted the child.

At the trial court, Hughes ruled Stephenie “was, remains, and always will be K.J.’s biological mother. Accordingly, [Sutliff] is the ‘maternal grandparent’ under I.C. 31-9-2-77. She may seek, pursuant to I.C. § 31-17-5-1, visitation rights with K.J. because the child’s parent is deceased, and because [Sutliff] is the biological parent of the child’s deceased biological parent.”

But the appeals panel reversed, finding that Sutliff filed her petition after K.J. had been adopted and a new birth certificate was issued listing her father and stepmother as parents.

“There is no question that Sutliff is the parent of Stephenie, who is the biological parent of K.J. Furthermore, there is no question that Jocham and Stephenie’s marriage was dissolved in 2008 or that Stephenie is now deceased,” Judge Margret Robb wrote for the unanimous panel.

“Accordingly, had Sutliff filed a petition for grandparent visitation at any time after Jocham and Stephenie filed for divorce up to the day Emily’s adoption of K.J. was final, we would agree with the trial court that she had the right to petition for visitation rights and that any visitation rights granted to her as a result of the petition survived the adoption.”

Sutliff had no notice of the adoption petition, which the panel wrote isn’t required by statute. In a footnote, the panel observed, “One way to avoid cutting off a grandparent’s opportunity to seek visitation rights by catching him or her unawares would be to amend the adoption statute to require notice of a petition for adoption be given to anyone who would be eligible under the (Grandparent Visitation Act) to seek grandparent visitation rights as of the time the petition is filed.”

“We sympathize with Sutliff’s plight, and we recognize that, especially in family law matters, more is undoubtedly involved than the legally relevant facts disclose. But the legally relevant facts are those upon which we must base our decision, and here, those facts lead inescapably to the conclusion that Sutliff had no legal right to seek grandparent visitation at the time she filed her petition,” Robb wrote. “Regrettably, in situations such as this, the result may be inequitable and may not serve the purpose of the GVA.

“However, it is not our place to judicially expand the statute beyond its explicit terms or to craft exceptions for specific circumstances. … The legislature drew a fine line on this issue between protecting intergenerational relationships and protecting newly formed adoptive family units. Stepping into the role of an adoptive parent and building a successful new family unit takes courage and support. There must be some assurance that the circumstances as they exist at the time of the adoption will not be thrown into disarray months or even years later by a grandparent newly seeking visitation.”

The case is Kirk R. Jocham v. Melba Sutliff, 29A02-1406-DR-424.

Food Inspection Reports

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Food Inspection Reports 2-5-15

USI Theatre opens new USI Performance Center with William Inge’s PICNIC

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University of Southern Indiana Theatre will start the spring 2015 season with William Inge’s Picnic. The production is part of the Repertory Project – a co-production of New Harmony Theatre and USI Theatre and will be showing February 25-March 1 in the new USI Performance Center.

Emotions are ignited among the content townsfolk when a handsome drifter arrives in a small Kansas community in the joint backyards of two middle-aged widows. One house belongs to Flo Owens, who lives with her two maturing daughters, Madge and Millie, and a boarder who is a spinster school teacher. The other house belongs to Helen Potts, who lives with her elderly and invalid mother. What will happen when their worlds are turned upside down due to love?

Elliot Wasserman, Picnic director, will be joined by a design team including USI student AJ Jones as costume designer and faculty members Karen Jordan as dance choreographer, Eric Altheide as fight choreographer, Eric Cope as lighting designer and Kevin Gray as sound designer. USI welcomes guest scenic designer Ron Naversen, who has worked on several New Harmony Theatre productions as well as Liz Reddick, member of Actors’ Equity Association, as production stage manager.

Picnic’s cast includes professional Actors’ Equity Association members Licia Watson as Helen Potts and Leslie Alexander as Flo Owens. They are accompanied by USI students Antonio King as Hal Carter, Katie Jones as Millie Owens, Maximilian Spears as Bomber, Presley Roy as Madge Owens, Samantha Prindle as Rosemary Sydney, Craig Belwood as Alan Seymour, Melissa “Moe” Brown as Irma Kronkite, Hannah Miller as Christine Schoenwalder and Logan Vickers as Howard Bevans.

Tickets are $12 for USI students, $18 for adults, $15 for USI employees and $16 for seniors (60+) and non-USI students. Shows start at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 2 p.m. for the Sunday matinee. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.usi.edu/theatre or call the box office at 812-465-1668. Follow us on Facebook at USITheatre and NewHarmonyTheatre for updates and photos. USI Theatre’s final show of the spring season, Spring Awakening with book and lyrics by Steven Sater and music by Duncan Sheik, based on the play by Frank Wedekind, runs April 22-26. Tickets for the upcoming productions are on sale now.

All performances in the 2014-15 season contain adult themes and language. Spring Awakening also includes nudity.

Open Forum Weekend February 7-8, 2015

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Betty Knight Smith’s Obituary

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BettyKnightSmithBetty Knight (Benson) Smith, 83, of Evansville, Indiana, passed away on Wednesday, February 4, 2015 at Good Samaritan Nursing Home surrounded by her loving family.

Betty was born in Onton, Kentucky on March 10, 1931 to the late Guy D. and Ellon (Johnson) Benson. Betty was a pillar in our community, serving in both Evansville and Vanderburgh County with the Democratic Party for many years.  She served 13 years on the Evansville City Council, 8 years as Vanderburgh County Clerk, 4 years as Vanderburgh County Council, 8 years as Vanderburgh County Recorder and 10 years in the Pigeon Township Trustee’s office as a caseworker.  She was the owner of the Civic Center Inn and the Park Place Restaurant.   She was a member of National Business Women’s Association, Fraternal Order of Police, JFK Club, Young Democrats, and the Vice-President of Vanderburgh County Democratic Party.  She was a member of the Evansville Housing Authority, the Salvation Army and the Soup Kitchen.  She received the Distinguished Hoosier Award in May 2008 from Governor Mitch Daniels, the JFK Award–“Profiles in Courage,” August 9, 2008, the Evansville Black Expo, “Women’s Banquet”  Award in 1993, she was honored as the Volunteer of the Year at the Salvation Army Soup Kitchen, she received “The Enchanted Lantern” for No-Ruz Grotto, and she received the “Keys to the City” of Evansville in 1988.   Betty was a loving mother who cherished her four children and her grandchildren. Betty was a strong lady who helped improve the lives of many people in our community.  During her free moments, Betty was an avid reader, played cards and enjoyed taking care of people.

Betty is survived by her children, Rebecca Isley (David), Greg Knight, Bev Oswald (Mike Frierdich), Rhonda Clayton (Ron), all of Evansville, IN; sister, Mary Lilly Blackford (Ed); grandchildren, Zach McWilliams (Kim), Katie Fitch (Mark), Chad Oswald (Nichole), Chase Oswald, Susan Knight and Maddie Clayton; great-grandchildren, Caroline Fitch, Charlie Oswald and Rory McWilliams; and many nieces and nephews.
Betty was preceded in death by her first husband and the father of her children, Elvis Knight; second husband, Fred Smith; her parents; sisters, Loreen Donohoo and Agnes Ray; brothers, David, Gene, Olan, Sam, Frank and Dan Benson.

A celebration of Betty’s life will be held at 11:30 AM on Saturday, February 7, 2015 at Browning Funeral Home, 738 Diamond Avenue, Evansville, IN 47711 with Rev. Joe Mitchell officiating.  Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery.
Friends may visit with the family from 1:00 PM until 8:00 PM on Friday, February 6, 2015 at Browning Funeral Home and again from 9:30 AM until service time on Saturday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Salvation Army, P.O. Box 4055, Evansville, IN 47724 or Autism Speaks, 1060 State Road, Princeton, NJ 08540.

Condolences may be made online at www.browningfuneral.com.

FOOTNOTE:  As a public service to our readers we shall post any obituary without charge until further notice.  You may send you obits with pictures to mfcosby@hotmail.com. 

 

 

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