Operation Big Brother's arrestees in jail, moving through court system

Officers preparing to take Tasha Freeman into custody - 200 Block of Walnut Street in Huntingburg. — Officers preparing to take Tasha Freeman into custody – 200 Block of Walnut Street in Huntingburg. <i>Photo supplied by the Dubois County Prosecuting Attorney’s office</i>

Many of the individuals arrested in the Operation Big Brother are still sitting in the Dubois County Security Center as they move through the court system.

The 16 individuals arrested during that raid have appeared in court and many have jury trials scheduled; most early next year due to the court’s caseload. Five of those have posted bond, several have asked to be placed in work release, and some are requesting the names of the informants who worked with officers to place them in jail.

The 16 were arrested on June 5, at the culmination of a 11-month operation, when a task force conducted raids in several areas of Dubois County and arrested them for a myriad of drug-related charges. The operation was considered a success by Deputy Beth Sermersheim, the deputy prosecuting attorney who planned the operation with Dubois County Narcotics Officer John Anderson.

Over the course of the operation, Anderson, along with undercover Indiana State Police drug detectives, used undercover informants to gather information about the suspects and to purchase methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, schedule II, III and IV controlled substances, and look-a-like substances. In all, the informants purchased about $5,700 in drugs in Dubois County.

The day of the raids, 50 officers from area agencies came together to capture the 16 suspects. Those officers came from the Dubois County Sheriff’s Department, the Indiana State Police, the Jasper Police Department, the Huntingburg Police Department, the Ferdinand Police Department, Indiana Conservation Officers, and the Indiana State Parole Office. Dubois County Dispatch and Child Protective Services also assisted in the raid, as well as EMS personnel who were on standby during that time.

Jerry L. Lively, 47, Paoli, is facing a Class B felony charge of Dealing in a Schedule II Controlled Substance (Morphine). He asked to be transferred to work release; it has not been granted yet. His bond was set at $10,000 cash or a $20,000 surety bond. A jury trial is scheduled for February 3, 2015.

Christy L. Merkley, 25, Huntingburg, is facing the following charges: Count 1: Dealing in a Schedule III Controlled Substance (Hydrocodone), a Class A felony, Count 2: Dealing in Methamphetamine, a Class B felony, and Habitual Substance Offender Enhancement. She is being held on a $25,000 cash bond and is scheduled for a jury trial on March 17, 2015.

Rosetta L. Allbright, 41, Birdseye, Count 1: Dealing in Methamphetamine, a Class A felony, Count 2: Dealing in Methamphetamine, a Class B felony, and Habitual Substance Offender Enhancement. Allbright’s bond was reduced from $25,000 cash only to a $20,000 cash or $40,000 surety bond.

Joseph W. Christmon, 41, Birdseye, Count 1: Dealing in Cocaine, a Class A felony, Count 2: Dealing in Cocaine, a Class A felony, and Count 3: Dealing in Cocaine, a Class B felony. Christmon received an additional charge of unlawful possession of a firearm, Class D felony, after his original arrest. He is being held on a $25,000 cash only bond and is scheduled in court October 28, 2014 for his jury trial.

Karrie F. Eckert, 48, Huntingburg, Count 1: Dealing in a Schedule II Controlled Substance (Morphine), a Class B felony, and Count 2: Dealing in a Schedule II Controlled Substance (Morphine), a Class B felony. Eckert was being held on a $10,000 cash bond or a $20,000 surety bond; she posted bond on June 16. A pretrial hearing is scheduled for August 20, 2014.

Roberto C. Flores, 32, Huntingburg, Count 1: Dealing in Cocaine, a Class B felony, and Count 2: Neglect of a Dependent, a Class C felony. Flores was being held on a $15,000 cash bond or a $30,000 surety bond but he posted bond on June 14. He is scheduled for trial by jury on December 16, 2014.

Tasha M. Freeman, 24, Huntingburg, Count 1: Dealing in a Narcotic Drug (Heroin), a Class B felony, Count 2: Neglect of a Dependent, a Class C felony, and Count 3: Attempted Dealing in Methamphetamine, a Class A felony. Is being held on a $20,000 cash bond or $40,000 surety and had a pretrial hearing on July 23.

Edward L. Freyberger, 67, Dubois, Count 1: Dealing in a Schedule II Controlled Substance (Oxycodone), a Class B felony, and Count 2: Dealing in a Schedule II Controlled Substance (Adderall), a Class B felony. Freyberger is scheduled for a jury trial on November 27, 2015, according to records at the clerk’s office. He was being held on a $10,000 cash bond or a $20,000 surety bond but posted bond on June 9.

Brock E. Gill, 22, Jasper, Count 1: Dealing in Methamphetamine, a Class B felony, Count 2: Dealing in Methamphetamine, a Class B felony, as well as an additional case with Count 1: Possession of Marijuana, a Class A misdemeanor, and Count 2: Possession of Paraphernalia, a Class A misdemeanor. Gill was being held on a $10,000 cash bond and a $20,000 surety bond but posted bond on June 10. He is scheduled for jury trial on January 20, 2015.

Ryan N.R. Groeschen, 32, Ferdinand, Count 1: Dealing in a Schedule III Controlled Substance (Hydrocodone), a Class A felony, and Count 2: Dealing in a Schedule III Controlled Substance (Hydrocodone), a Class A felony. Groeschen is being held on $10,000 cash bond and a $20,000 surety bond. He is scheduled for a jury trial on March 31, 2015.

Caleb A.S. Hammond, 20, Huntingburg, Count 1: Dealing in Methamphetamine, a Class B felony, Count 2: Dealing in a Look-A-Like Substance, a Class C felony, Count 3: Dealing in a Look-A-Like Substance, a Class C felony, and Habitual Substance Offender Enhancement. Hammond is being held on a $10,000 cash bond or a $20,000 surety bond and is scheduled for a jury trial on December 2, 2014.

Margaret Faith MacDonald, 41, Huntingburg, Count 1: Dealing in Methamphetamine, a Class B felony, Count 2: Aiding, Inducing, or Causing Dealing in a Look-A-Like Substance, a Class C felony, and Habitual Substance Offender Enhancement. MacDonald is being held on a $25,000 cash bond and a jury trial date had not been set yet.

Brian A. Perez, 28, Huntingburg, Count 1: Dealing in Methamphetamine, a Class A felony, Count 2: Dealing in Methamphetamine, a Class B felony, Count 3: Dealing in Methamphetamine, a Class B felony, and Habitual Offender Enhancement. Perez is being held on a $25,000 cash only bond and is scheduled for a jury trial on March 3, 2015.

Jason J. Schepers, 34, Birdseye, Count 1: Dealing in Methamphetamine, a Class B felony, and Habitual Offender Enhancement. Schepers’ jury trial has not been set but he has requested to receive pretrial work release. He is being held on a $25,000 cash bond.

Jacob W. Volz, 45, Huntingburg, Count 1: Dealing in a Schedule IV Controlled Substance (Alprazolam), a Class C felony. Volz is scheduled to appear in court to determine if he is eligible for work release or home detention. He is being held on a $25,000 cash only bond and his jury trial is scheduled for February 17, 2015.

Amy S. Street, 41, Jasper, Count 1: Dealing in Methamphetamine, a Class A felony, and Count 2: Dealing in Methamphetamine, a Class A felony. Street is being held on a $10,000 cash bond or a $20,000 surety bond. Her jury trial is scheduled for March 14, 2015.

The charged will appear in the Dubois County Superior Court.

According to Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Beth Sermersheim, the cases are moving along and although jury trials have been set, the prosecuting attorney’s office is negotiating some plea bargains with the defendants.

The office plans on releasing updates as each case is completed.