November 20, 2008
Couple Pleads Guilty to Tax Evasion
(Courier-Journal.com)
A Harrison County
couple has pled guilty to federal tax
evasion, forfeiting $1.7 million in the
process. (Dan-1) Federal agents found
and seized more than $1.8 million
dollars from the bedroom closet of
50-year-old Gregory Gurtz and
41-year-old Donna Gurtz. The Gurtz’s
admitted during sentencing that their
Auto Salvage business had brought in
more than $4 million between 2004 and
2006. They had only reported less than
half a million on their income taxes.
This was made possible when Donna Gurtz
would ask salvage customers to write
checks to her personally, and only in
amounts smaller than $10,000. She would
then cash the checks and stash the money
in their closet. The Gurtz’s were
sentenced Monday to four years of
probation.
Cemetery Arson Suspects Appear in Court
(Indiana 9)
Three suspects accused in a case of
arson at a cemetery in Jefferson County,
appeared in court yesterday. Gary
Mefford, Derek Jones and Warren Brooks
are suspected of starting a fire last
March at Grandview Memorial Gardens.
Jones and Brooks appeared for a
pre-trial conference. Mefford asked for
more time to find a lawyer to represent
his case. A pre-trial for the fourth
suspect, Jonah Long, was continued to a
later date.
Parks
Director Resigns
(Madison Courier)
Hanover Parks Director Narci Burress
resigned Tuesday at the Town Council
meeting. She stated that she would like
to return, but due to the reduction in
property taxes, the town could not
afford to continue paying her. Burress
requested that the town be sure to keep
sidewalks clear on Tuesdays and Fridays
for the senior citizens, despite the
town being unable to afford continuing
to build new sidewalks. Other losses,
due to the reduction in property taxes
was, Fire Chief Jim Boldery. Burress’
resignation will become effective on
December 31.
Butlerville Man Arrested After Domestic
Disturbance
(Plain Dealer-Sun)
A Butlerville man
is facing charges after a domestic
disturbance Tuesday morning. 25 year old
Joshua Young was arrested on charges of
domestic battery, strangulation, sexual
battery, disorderly conduct and
interfering with reporting a crime.
Young allegedly got into an argument
with a female and ripped her clothes.
When she fought back, he allegedly
attempted to strangle her. After she
scratched him, Young left the residence
and the victim called the police.
Jennings was still in the Jennings
County Jail as of Wednesday morning, on
a $1,550 bond.
Deadline to Register for
FEMA Assistance Nears
Congressman Baron Hill wants to ensure
applicable Southern Indiana residents
affected by the severe storms and
flooding of September 12th
through October 6th apply for
FEMA assistance. Fourteen counties in
Indiana’s Ninth Congressional District
were included in the disaster
declaration including Scott, Clark,
Floyd, Harrison, Jackson, Jefferson,
Jennings, and Washington. FEMA
Individual Assistance includes grants to
help pay for temporary housing, home
repairs and other serious
disaster-related expenses such as
medical care and damage to personal
property. The deadline is Monday,
November 24, 2008. Residents can
register online at
www.fema.gov,
or by calling FEMA at
1-800-621-FEMA.
Two New Albany Arrested
(News-tribune.net)
Two New Albany men were arrested on
several charges. 21-year-olds Charles
Jecker and Raymond Toops III, were
pulled over by the NAPD resulting in
both being charged with resisting law
enforcement, possession of a handgun
without a permit, violation of the
Legend Drug Act and reckless driving.
Jecker was also charged with operating
while intoxicated in a manner that
endangers and with a prior conviction.
Toops had warrants after failing to
appear to hearings for criminal
conversion and possession of marijuana
under 30 grams in Floyd County. He also
has an active warrant in Clark County
for driving without ever receiving a
license in 2005.
Warrant Issued for Man Dating Teen
(News-tribune.net)
A warrant has been issued for the arrest
of a man who was allegedly dating a
14-year-old girl. 22-year-old Michael
David Rhodes was arrested after police
discovered a cell phone with a picture
of Rhodes and the teen kissing. The
girl told police she had been dating
Rhodes for a couple of weeks and that
her mother did not know about it.
Rhodes admitted to dating the girl and
that he knew she was only 14 and he
allegedly admitted to touching her
private parts. Rhodes is charged with
sexual misconduct with a minor. Rhodes
failed to show up for his initial
hearing last month, so it was
rescheduled for Monday. After he failed
to show up Monday, a warrant was issued,
according to a Clark County Circuit
Court clerk.
Madison Prison to Hire
(Madison Courier)
The Madison women's prison will hire
dozens of people as they add more
offenders. According to the Madison
Courier, at least 50 people will be
hired, 300 or more offenders added and a
12-foot-high fence topped with three
strands of razor ribbon put in place.
Hiring will begin soon for entry-level
corrections officers and jobs such as
case managers and counselors.
Corrections officers must go to the
police academy for four weeks, then have
a couple of weeks of on-the-job training
as part of a six-month trainee status.
Case managers and counselors must have a
college degree.. There are two ways to
apply for Department of Correction
jobs, www.jobs.in.gov
or at Work One office at 620 Green
Road in Madison.
