Write a comment

By Becky Killian, Staff Writer

Washington County currently doesn’t have a permanent jail commander because the salary is too low for the level of responsibility the position carries. Sheriff Brent Miller explained the year-long challenge he’s faced filling a vacancy caused by a retirement during the Monday, May 6, meeting of the Washington County Council.

Council President Mark Abbott said he asked Miller to appear before the Council to explain the staffing problems.

“This is something we need to take a good, hard look at,” Abbott said, urging Council members to take quick action.

The jail commander is the third in command at the jail and oversees 17 correction officers as well as the inmates, who currently total more than 150. The jail commander is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the jail, including training new hires, making sure the correction officers meet continuing education requirements, scheduling, record keeping, coordinating inmate transports, and hearing inmate grievances.

Miller said the jail’s correction officers are “a very young, inexperienced staff” that requires supervision to ensure they follow important procedures.

The jail has several inmates who suffer from medical conditions, addiction, and mental health issues, which Miller said makes running the jail more difficult.

Miller said at the current salary of $38,787, the jail commander makes only about $1,400 more than the correction officers he supervises.

A jail commander salary study Miller provided to the Council showed Floyd County with the highest salary of $92,616. The lowest salary was $34,008 in Crawford County. The average salary among the nine counties included in the study was $58,406.

The jail commander’s salary in Washington County, which is included among the counties in the study, ranked second to last just above Crawford County.

While Floyd County has a jail capacity of 330, Crawford County’s capacity is 78. Washington County’s jail capacity is 254 inmates. Although the county could accept inmates from other jails – which would generate some income – Miller said his staffing isn’t adequate to handle more inmates.

Currently, some correction officers have been asked to work 16-hour shifts and to work on scheduled days off.

A road deputy has been temporarily named interim jail commander, but Miller said that won’t last long.

“The public expects me to get a third shift back on the road,” Miller said. “I’m just trying to stop the bleeding now.” Those third-shift patrols ended earlier this year when Miller said he didn’t have enough deputies to cover the shift. The Indiana State Police agreed to help with overnight patrols. Since then, the Council approved a pay increase for deputies.

Miller worries about the liability exposure the county has because of the vacancy in the jail commander’s post.

Write a comment

By Becky Killian, Staff Writer

• Business News
• Wellness

Write a comment

Dr. Rebecca Marshall Honored with the 50-Year Pharmacist Award

Last month, at the Indiana Pharmacy Association’s Annual Meeting, Rebecca Marshall, local pharmacist and pillar of the healthcare community, was awarded the prestigious 50-Year Pharmacist Award in recognition of her unparalleled dedication and contribution to the field of pharmacy.

Dr. Marshall’s remarkable journey began in 1974 when she embarked on her career in pharmacy as a Purdue University graduate, with unwavering determination and a commitment to excellence. Throughout the decades, she has not only served countless patients with compassion and expertise but also played a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of pharmaceutical care.  She is currently the proud owner, with her husband, of Salem Apothecary.

Her profound impact extends beyond the confines of the pharmacy walls, as Dr. Marshall has been an active advocate for health education and community outreach initiatives. Her tireless efforts have empowered individuals to take charge of their health and well-being, fostering a healthier and more informed community.

Write a comment

By Jerry Curry, Staff Writer, and Nancy Grossman, Publisher

Dejaune Anderson, the mother of five-year-old Cairo Ammar Jordon, whose body was found in a suitcase outside of Pekin Apr. 16, 2022, was arraigned in Washington County Circuit Court on Tuesday, Apr. 2. She was charged with three felony charges—murder, neglect of a dependent resulting in death and obstruction of justice.  
Representing the State of Indiana were Washington County Prosecutor Tara Coats Hunt and Chief Deputy Prosecutor Melissa Campbell.  Presiding was Washington County Circuit Court Judge Larry W. Medlock.

Anderson was brought in wearing the typical jail attire of an orange jump suit and shackles. She was read her rights and asked if she had a clear understanding of the charges and possible punishment for her crime. Anderson indicated that she fully understood. 

When asked if she was being represented by an attorney, Anderson replied that she intended to represent herself and that she felt she was capable of doing so because she had a masters degree in History.

Judge Medlock informed her that having no law degree, she had to meet certain requirements in order to represent herself: that she conduct herself as a lawyer, abide by the rules of evidence and abide by the rules of procedure. 

Anderson insisted that she was capable of representing herself and insisted it was necessary for her to do so because of the nature of her case. She also mentioned that there are things about the evidence of the case “which is q classified, which should be turned over to the Judge Advocate General courts immediately.” She added that her case involves other cases that are open currently with the Judge Advocate General courts, as well as federal investigations that are open.

Judge Medlock replied, “If the Judge Advocate General approaches us, we’ll address it at that point in time.” He asked Anderson if she would like stand-by counsel to be assigned, but she refused the offer. The judge stated that she would have to submit a written request for consideration in allowing her to represent herself in court.

Judge Medlock set a pre-trial conference at 9 a.m. Apr. 25; a trial date of August 6 at 8:30 a.m.; and an omnibus date of June 15.
When the topic of setting a bond was brought up, Prosecutor Hunt asked the court to consider the gravity of the case, the probable cause affidavit the state filed in support of the three charges, and the fact that it took two years to locate the fugitive since her identification was made. In light of these factors, the prosecutor recommended that bond should be set at a high amount that would be difficult, if not impossible, for her to afford.

At that point, Anderson made an objection, claiming that she was not a fugitive and that she had been under NSA surveillance for eight months. She added that “a detail from Space Force” had been following her every move.  

Judge Medlock informed Anderson that she did not offer a “valid legal objection.”  Anderson responded that she had contacted an Indiana Marshall with her location.

Judge Medlock responded that Detective Matt Busick had contacted the agencies she had mentioned, and none of them could confirm knowledge of her location. 

The judge decided that no bond would be set and remanded Anderson to the custody of the Washington County Sheriff’s Department. “If Space Force comes forward and tells me that they’re willing to monitor you, we’ll take up the issue of bond at a later date,” said Medlock.

“Based on what I’ve just heard, I’m going to ask someone from the public defender’s office to be assigned to represent Miss Anderson,” he added. 

A press conference was conducted following the arraignment. Those making comments were Prosecutor Hunt and Det. Busick and Sgt. Cary Huls, both with the Sellersburg Post 45 of the Indiana State Police.

Prosecutor Hunt commended the local community stepping up and taking ownership concerning the death of Jordan.  Because of the support of the community, the child’s body was buried at Crown Hill Cemetery, marked with a headstone.

State police investigation led to the the identities of two suspects, Anderson and Dawn Coleman, by discovering matches of fingerprints found on trash bags inside the suitcase containing Jordan’s body. The evidence led to the arrest of Anderson by United States Marshalls last month in Arcadia, California. Det. Busick flew to California to interrogate Anderson.

Sgt. Huls stated that Anderson was escorted by U.S. Marshalls, accompanied by Indiana State Troopers, back to Washington County.  She was delivered into local custody early Sunday morning.

Coleman was arrested in November 2023. She was tried for her connection to Jordan’s death and was sentenced to 30 years in prison, with five years suspended for probation.

If convicted, Anderson could face a sentencing of 45 to 65 years for the murder charge, 20 to 40 years for the charge of neglect of a dependent resulting in death and two-and-a half years for the charge of obstruction of justice.

Staff Photos by Jerry Curry