Motorcyclist thrown from bike on State Road 45
JACKSON TWP. – On July 27, Sheriff’s Deputy Kyle Minor responded to a crash on State Road 45 near the intersection of Plum Creek Road.
According to the report, a white Harley Davidson Electra Glide Ultra Classic was going straight on State Road 45 heading toward Bloomington when driver Michael Smith hit loose gravel on the roadway. Smith apparently lost control of the motorcycle causing him to run off the roadway.
Passenger Heather Holmes allegedly had scrapes on her knee, leg and foot after being thrown from the bike.
According to the report, she was examined by emergency medical services and her knee was wrapped.
Smith held onto the bike and was only partially ejected. According to the report, Smith was treated for ankle and shoulder pain. His minor cuts and scratches were also examined. Smith was transported to the hospital while Holmes was given a ride back to the campground where they were staying and the bike was towed by Brown County Tire.
Bloomington man charged for driving without a license
NASHVILLE – A 35-year-old Bloomington man Florencio Martinez has been charged with two class C misdemeanors for operating a motor vehicle without ever receiving a license and operating a motor vehicle without financial responsibility with a previous conviction.
On July 30, Sheriff’s Deputy Heath Young was observing traffic from the Eagle Park entrance on State Road 46. According to the report he observed a small dark passenger car traveling at 67 miles per hour in a 50 miles per hour zone and conducted a routine traffic stop. When Young asked for his identification Martinez allegedly told him that he did not have a valid driver’s license.
According to the report he asked Martinez for his full name and age to run his information with dispatch. According to the report, dispatch advised that he had never been issued a driver’s license.
Sheriff’s Deputy Oliver Hitz also arrived on scene and asked Martinez if he had insurance, to which Martinez allegedly answered that he did not. According to the report, Martinez was pulled over in 2023 for driving without receiving a license and failure to provide proof of insurance.
Martinez was placed under arrest and transported to Brown County Jail.
Bargersville man charged with two felonies
BARGERSVILLE – A 33-year-old Bargersville man James Mitchell has been charged with a level 4 felony for possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon and a level 6 felony for possession of a hypodermic syringe or needle.
On July 26, Sheriff’s Deputy Kyle Minor received a tip that Mitchell was possibly staying with his mother Linda Kelly in the 7200 block of Cordry Drive. Sheriff’s Deputy Zaccary Sheppard and Minor responded to the address.
According to the report, as they were searching for Mitchell, Minor saw him slumped over on the couch with a syringe and a black handgun with a silver tip next to him.
Conservation Officer Mike Southerland, Sheriff Brad Stogsdill, Sergeant Austin Schonfeld, Sheriff’s Deputy Cody Loncaric and Prince’s Lakes Police Officer James Coffey arrived at separate times to assist. Coffey allegedly had Kelly’s phone number and was able to contact her via her cell phone.
According to the report, Kelly was able to wake Mitchell up to inform him that the house was surrounded by officers. Stogsdill gave Mitchell commands to leave the residence and he reportedly said he needed to speak with his girlfriend on the phone before he would exit the house.
According to the report, Mitchell exited the residence and was searched. Mitchell reportedly claimed that the firearm was an airsoft gun and he had destroyed both the airsoft gun and syringe before disposing of them. According to the report, he was placed under arrest and transported to Johnson Memorial Hospital for jail clearance before being booked in jail for a local warrant, Johnson County warrant and on the charges of possession of a firearm by a serious felon and possession of a syringe.
While searching the house, the officers said they located a black 9mm handgun with a silver tip, four syringes and a spoon.
