Operation Muncie: A Major Drug Trafficking Takedown

03/24/2025 (updated 03/25/2025)

6 sentenced after Muncie drug ring dismantled

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Breaking News: Muncie, Indiana’s Drug Trafficking Ring Dismantled

A joint operation led by the FBI and local law enforcement agencies has successfully dismantled a drug trafficking ring operating in Muncie, Indiana. The ring, which was responsible for distributing large quantities of illegal drugs, including fentanyl, cocaine, and meth, has been shut down, and six individuals have been charged and sentenced in connection with the operation.

According to authorities, the ringleader of the drug ring was Jamarr Hill, 30, of Muncie, who obtained large quantities of drugs from a source in San Diego, California, and then distributed them throughout Indiana, including in Muncie and other communities, with the help of his associates.

Hill was sentenced to 17 years in prison for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, money laundering, and conspiracy to make a false statement in connection with purchasing a firearm. His associates, including Terry Hill, 49, Lance McGee, 32, and Nakevius Shannon, 33, all of Muncie, were also sentenced to prison terms ranging from 3 to 15 years.

Additionally, Joseph Haskins, also of Muncie, was sentenced to 33 years in prison for possession with intent to distribute, with an additional 5 years supervised release due to his status as a career offender.

The FBI, IRS, Muncie Police Department, Anderson Police Department, and Fishers Police Department investigated the case, with the FBI’s Indianapolis office leading the operation. The successful takedown of the drug trafficking ring is a significant victory in the ongoing efforts to target and dismantle drug trafficking organizations that threaten public safety.

As Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, John E. Childress, stated, “Drug traffickers like these defendants, responsible for pushing poison from across the country into our neighborhoods, must be held accountable for the suffering they cause in search of quick profits.”

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Tragic Loss: 14-Year-Old Boy Fatally Injured in Anderson Vehicle Accident

03/19/2025 (updated 03/19/2025)

14-year-old boy dies after hit by car in Anderson

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A 14-Year-Old Boy Dies After Being Struck by Car in Anderson, Ind.

A devastating incident occurred in Anderson, Tuesday evening, when a 14-year-old boy lost his life after being struck by a car while walking in the street. According to the Anderson Police Department, the incident occurred on the 100 block of South Scatterfield Road around 11:10 p.m.

First responders arrived at the scene to find the teen lying in the road, where he was pronounced dead. Initial investigations reveal that the boy was walking in the roadway when he was hit by a car traveling south. The driver involved in the accident remained on the scene and cooperated with detectives.

Anderson PD is urging anyone with information about the incident to contact Sergeant Josh Bowling at 765-648-6795. The investigation is ongoing, and no further details have been released regarding the circumstances leading up to the accident.

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4 hours ago

Tragic Crash Claims Life of 14-Year-Old in Anderson

03/19/2025 (updated 03/19/2025)

Police: 14-year-old pronounced dead after being struck by vehicle in Anderson

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A 14-Year-Old Dies After Being Struck by Vehicle in Anderson

A 14-year-old has died after being hit by a vehicle on Tuesday night in Anderson, Indiana. According to the Anderson Police Department, officers responded to a crash involving a pedestrian in the 100 block of S. Scatterfield Road at approximately 11:12 p.m. Upon arrival, they found the 14-year-old pedestrian at the scene and determined that the teen was in the roadway when struck by a vehicle traveling southbound. The teen was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the vehicle remained at the scene and is cooperating with the investigation. Anyone with information or witnesses are asked to contact the department at (765) 648-6795.

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47 minutes ago

Semi hauling corn crashes into school bus in Madison County

03/18/2025 (updated 03/19/2025)

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A Tragic Accident: School Bus and Semi Collide in Summitville

A shocking incident occurred on Monday afternoon in Summitville, Indiana, when a farming semi-truck collided with a Madison-Grant United School Corporation bus at a rural intersection. Miraculously, there were no students on the bus at the time of the accident, which occurred around 2:30 pm.

According to the Madison County Sheriff’s Department, the semi-truck was traveling southbound on County Road 300 East when it failed to stop at a stop sign at C.R. 1550 N. The driver, 19-year-old Cameron Bair of Summitville, lost control of the vehicle, which then crashed into the school bus traveling west.

The impact was severe, sending both vehicles off the road and flipping them onto their sides. The bus driver, 35-year-old Bethany Gibson of Gaston, was treated for minor injuries at a hospital in Anderson. Bair was airlifted to IU Methodist in Indianapolis, where he was listed in stable condition.

Thanks to the quick response of emergency services and the fortuitous absence of students, the accident did not result in any serious injuries or fatalities. The investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing.

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Madison County, Indiana

Step Up in Safety Efforts at 146th & Allisonville Rd.

03/18/2025

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“Community Rallies Around Local Small Business After Burglary

A beloved small business on Main Street has been left reeling after being burgled overnight, with thieves making off with a small fortune in merchandise and cash.

The incident has left the community in shock and has sparked a outpouring of support for the business owner, who has been left reeling from the sudden and devastating loss.

“I’m just in complete disbelief,” said the owner. “I never thought this would happen to me. I’m grateful for all the support we’ve received from the community so far, but it’s going to take a lot to get back on our feet.”

The business, which has been a staple on Main Street for decades, is known for its unique products and personalized customer service. The owner has been working tirelessly to rebuild and replant, and is overwhelmed with the outpouring of support.

In the meantime, police are still investigating the incident, and are urging anyone with information to come forward. The business is offering a reward for any information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the thief.”

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Hamilton County, Indiana

Five Quintessential Years of Blooming Beauty: Indiana Peony Festival Marks a Milestone

03/18/2025

Indiana Peony Festival celebrates 5 impactful years this May

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Attention peony enthusiasts! Mark your calendars for the 2025 Indiana Peony Festival, returning to historic Seminary Park in Noblesville on May 17th. This year marks a milestone for the festival, which has seen significant growth and impact in its five years.

The Indiana Peony Festival is thrilled to announce Smith’s Jewelers as its premier sponsor, joining forces to celebrate the beauty behind sentimental moments and festival traditions. This partnership is a perfect fit, given Smith’s reputation for helping customers create unforgettable experiences.

The 2025 festival promises an enhanced experience, featuring an array of attractions, including 150 vendors, a Hoosier Row food court, beer and wine, a kids’ zone, and expanded open spaces for attendees to enjoy the park and its stunning floral installations.

“We’re celebrating a milestone for the festival this year, and with Smith’s Jewelers, we want to create a special and memorable experience for our festival-goers,” said Indiana Peony Festival President Kelly McVey. “It’s a peony party celebrating our state flower and our community!”

In addition to the main event on Saturday, a VIPP (Very Important Peony Person) Night, sponsored by CCHA Law, will take place on Friday, May 16. This ticketed event is a fundraiser for the 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, supporting work in beautification projects, peony gardens, and horticulture education, as well as promoting Hamilton County as a desirable destination for peony enthusiasts.

A second event, Brunch & Blooms, offers visitors the opportunity to enjoy food and drinks at outdoor locations in and around the Noblesville downtown alleys throughout the day on Saturday.

For more information, visit IndianaPeonyFestival.com.

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By The Reporter,

4 hours ago

A Fading Hope: Carmel Woman Ciera Breland Still Missing After 3 Years

03/15/2025

‘Important not to forget’: Carmel woman Ciera Breland still missing after 3 years

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‘Important not to forget’: Carmel woman Ciera Breland still missing after 3 years

After her niece, Ciera Breland, went missing, Jeannie Locklair Bush found it difficult to write. “Ciera was my biggest fan,” Bush said. “She used to beg me to publish (my writing)… After she disappeared, it was just too hard.”

Ciera Breland, a 31-year-old mother, was last seen in Johns Creek, Georgia, the week of February 20, 2022, while visiting her mother-in-law. She was driving a white 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan with her husband, Xavier Breland Jr., their infant son, and her white labradoodle.

Just four days after her last seen, Xavier Breland Jr. reported Ciera missing to the Carmel Police Department, but investigators found no evidence that she returned to Indiana. Ciera’s last known location was in the 10050 block of Highgate Manor Court in Johns Creek, Georgia, at 7:17 PM on February 24, 2022.

Law enforcement has not ruled out foul play in Ciera’s disappearance, and her family believes she is dead. They also think she would have never left behind her young son.

Xavier Breland Jr., 40, was convicted of unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon in connection with a shot being fired at his Carmel home. He was also charged with aggravated stalking in connection to a woman in Georgia who had a temporary protective order against him in 2021. However, he has not been charged in connection with Ciera’s disappearance.

More than three years after her disappearance, the case remains unsolved. The FBI is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to Ciera’s whereabouts, and the Carmel Police Department can receive tips at 317-571-2500.

Ciera’s family is still seeking answers, saying, “We still have no answers, still not knowing what happened, truly saying goodbye and grieving is impossible. We are all trying our best to move forward and honor Ciera.”

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By Jake Allen, Indianapolis Star,

1 days ago

Fatal Bike Accident in Madison County

03/14/2025

Bicyclist struck, killed in Madison County

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A Tragic Accident on Area Roads: Bicyclist Killed in Thursday Afternoon Crash

A devastating collision took the life of a 56-year-old Pendleton man yesterday afternoon. According to the Madison County Sheriff’s Office, the incident occurred around 4:45pm at the intersection of Old 132 and CR 700W. A 19-year-old driver, also from Pendleton, was behind the wheel of a 2024 Dodge Ram when it struck an oncoming cyclist, who was traveling eastbound on Old 132. The injured cyclist was rushed to Saxony Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. The crash remains under investigation.

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Madison County, Indiana

Man sentenced for shooting at police officer at Anderson gas station

03/14/2025

Man convicted of attempted murder of police officer in Anderson gas station shooting

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LOCAL MAN FOUND GUILTY OF ATTEMPTED MURDER OF POLICE OFFICER

A 40-year-old Anderson man has been found guilty of attempting to murder a police officer during a violent shootout at a local gas station.

According to a news release from the Madison County Prosecutor’s Office, a jury delivered the guilty verdict against Ross Morelock in connection with the May 7, 2024, shooting that left Pendleton Police Officer Jerry Branson injured and hospitalized for a month.

The incident occurred at approximately 2:30 p.m. at a Get Go gas station at the intersection of Broadway Street and West School Street, on the north side of Anderson.

Branson was searching for a vehicle involved in a May 1, 2024, crash on I-69 when he stopped a black Mercedes sedan matching the license plate number. The driver, 23-year-old Amelia Peters, was arrested and taken into custody, while Morelock remained in the passenger seat.

Morelock ignored commands to keep his hands visible, and Branson was forced to point his department-issued handgun at him. However, Morelock produced a handgun and pointed it at the officer, prompting a 10-second shootout in which Branson received a 1-inch graze wound to his shoulder. Morelock also shot himself in the head.

The jury found Morelock guilty of attempted murder, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of a firearm by a serious violent offender. He has also pleaded guilty to the Habitual Offender Enhancement and Felony Firearm Enhancement, which could add significant time to his prison sentence.

Sentencing has been set for April 15, with a maximum possible sentence of 80 years. During the investigation, an internal review cleared Branson of any wrongdoing in the shooting.

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By Gregg Montgomery,

10 hours ago

Photo obtained from facebook group.

Indiana Woman’s Remarkable Survival After Six Days Trapped in Crash

03/13/2025 (updated 03/13/2025)

A powerful story of human resilience has emerged from Newton County, Indiana, where a woman survived six harrowing days trapped in her crashed vehicle. Brieonna Cassell’s incredible determination to live is an inspiration to us all.  

On Tuesday, March 11th, Cassell was discovered by a passing equipment operator, Johnny Martinez, in a ditch off the roadway in Newton County, about an hour and a half south of Chicago. Martinez alerted his supervisor, the local fire chief, and together they found Cassell, the sole occupant of the vehicle, conscious and able to communicate.  

According to the Newton County Sheriff’s Office, Cassell had suffered severe injuries to her legs, ribs, and wrist. She was swiftly airlifted to a hospital near Chicago for urgent medical treatment.  

The ordeal began on Wednesday, March 6th, when Cassell left her mother’s home and was on her way to visit a friend in Brook, Indiana. Tragically, she fell asleep at the wheel, causing her vehicle to veer off the road and into a deep, hidden ditch. “She had fell asleep and veered off the road and went into a very big, deep ditch. It couldn’t be seen from the road,” explained her father, Delmar Caldwell, to local news outlets.  

For six long days, Cassell was trapped, facing extreme conditions with limited resources. Her cellphone had lost power, leaving her unable to call for help. However, a nearby creek proved to be her lifeline.  

In an incredible display of resourcefulness, Cassell devised a method to obtain water. “She would take her hoodie and toss it, like she’s fishing,” her father recounted. “And bring it back and suck on it to have water.” This simple yet ingenious technique allowed her to stay hydrated and survive until help arrived.

This story is a testament to Brieonna Cassell’s unwavering resilience and determination. Her ability to find a way to survive against all odds is truly inspiring. We send our thoughts and well wishes to Brieonna and her family for a speedy and full recovery.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance while driving, especially when fatigued. We hope that Brieonna’s story encourages everyone to prioritize safety on the road and to appreciate the strength within us all.

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