MISSING PERSON 1-16-2013 (1-17-2013)
The White County Sheriff's Department is investigating a report of a missing person. James P. Price, 103 Branch Dr., Edwardsville, IL, DOB 06-19-1975, was reported missing to the Sheriff's Department on 01-16-2013. Mr. Price was last seen leaving St. Mary's Hospital in Evansville, IN at 5:00 P.M. on 01-15-2013 and has not been heard from since that time. He was driving a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado Pickup , white in color, with IL registration 1249504B.
No foul play is suspected. There were indications that the vehicle had driven off the roadway on I64, and possibly driven into the Little Wabash River.
Members from the Marrs Township Volunteer Fire Department were requested to come to the scene. They utilized divers, boats with sonar equipment, and other methods in attempt to determine if a vehicle was submerged in the area. They did not locate a vehicle a vehicle at this time. Illinois Department of Transporation and the Illinois State Police assisted in diverting traffic along I64 from about 5:00 P.M. until 11:30 P.M. last night.
The Illinois State Police Air Operations flew the entire route yesterday, and will be utilized again today. Illinois Department of Conservation is to have a boat available today to again search the area.
Mr. Price is still listed as a missing person. Anyone with information in reference to his whereabouts should contact the White County Sheriff's Department at 618-382-5321.
White County Sheriff
Doug Maier
No foul play is suspected. There were indications that the vehicle had driven off the roadway on I64, and possibly driven into the Little Wabash River.
Members from the Marrs Township Volunteer Fire Department were requested to come to the scene. They utilized divers, boats with sonar equipment, and other methods in attempt to determine if a vehicle was submerged in the area. They did not locate a vehicle a vehicle at this time. Illinois Department of Transporation and the Illinois State Police assisted in diverting traffic along I64 from about 5:00 P.M. until 11:30 P.M. last night.
The Illinois State Police Air Operations flew the entire route yesterday, and will be utilized again today. Illinois Department of Conservation is to have a boat available today to again search the area.
Mr. Price is still listed as a missing person. Anyone with information in reference to his whereabouts should contact the White County Sheriff's Department at 618-382-5321.
White County Sheriff
Doug Maier
Suspect Arrested in Murder Case (9-1-2012)
An investigation into the death of Jessica Evans and Jacob Wheeler has resulted in the arrest of: Danny K. Coston, a white male born on 11-21-1975 of 2207 County Road 1125 East; Carmi Illinois. Coston has been charged with 1st degree murder. Bail has been set at 3 Million dollars. Coston is being held in the White County Jail.
The investigation began on Sunday August 26th when Jessica and Jacob were reported as missing. A vehicle was located on Monday August 27th with the body of Jessica Evans in the bed of the vehicle.
On Friday evidence from the crime scene indicated a second vehicle was involved. Parts from a vehicle which had been wrecked were matched to a vehicle belonging to Danny Coston. Coston was taken to the White County Sheriff’s Office for questioning.
The body of Jacob Wheeler was discovered in Wayne County at a rural location early Saturday, September 1st.
States Attorney Scott Webb and Assistant States Attorney Denton Aud will prepare formal charges.
Agencies involved in the investigation: White County Sheriff’s Department; Illinois State Police; Illinois State Police Crime Scene; Southern Illinois Drug Task Force; Carmi Police Department; Grayville Police Department; Norris City Police Department; Wayne County Sheriff’s Department; Edwards County Sheriff’s Department; Posey County Sheriff’s Department; Illinois Department of Conservation, and the Illinois Department of Transportation.
We hope this brings some closure to the families of Jessica and Jacob. Our thoughts are with them.
The investigation began on Sunday August 26th when Jessica and Jacob were reported as missing. A vehicle was located on Monday August 27th with the body of Jessica Evans in the bed of the vehicle.
On Friday evidence from the crime scene indicated a second vehicle was involved. Parts from a vehicle which had been wrecked were matched to a vehicle belonging to Danny Coston. Coston was taken to the White County Sheriff’s Office for questioning.
The body of Jacob Wheeler was discovered in Wayne County at a rural location early Saturday, September 1st.
States Attorney Scott Webb and Assistant States Attorney Denton Aud will prepare formal charges.
Agencies involved in the investigation: White County Sheriff’s Department; Illinois State Police; Illinois State Police Crime Scene; Southern Illinois Drug Task Force; Carmi Police Department; Grayville Police Department; Norris City Police Department; Wayne County Sheriff’s Department; Edwards County Sheriff’s Department; Posey County Sheriff’s Department; Illinois Department of Conservation, and the Illinois Department of Transportation.
We hope this brings some closure to the families of Jessica and Jacob. Our thoughts are with them.
Jessica Evans / Jacob Wheeler Update 6:50 AM (8-31-2012)
On Thursday morning a subject came to the White County Sheriff’s Office and advised a person came to Murphy’s Station in Carmi on Tuesday night at 7:27 PM and purchased cigarettes. He advised he thought the identification showed the subject as Jacob Wheeler. A review of the video by law enforcement showed a subject in a long sleeve camouflage hoodie and long pants. The subject had a hood pulled up over his head. The subject was obviously attempting to hide his face from cameras. He observed the subject enter a vehicle and leave.
This vehicle was located on Stewart St. in Carmi. The subject was located. The subject was not Jacob Wheeler.
On Thursday night at 11:50 PM the White County Sheriff’s Office received a report of lights on an old abandoned house located in a remote area of White County. The house was secured until backup officers from the Sheriff’s Office, Illinois State Police, and Carmi Police Department could arrive. The owner was contacted and advised there should be no light inside the residence, it has been vacant for several years.
The residence and surrounding buildings were searched. It appeared that someone had been in the residence at some point. The search did not locate anyone inside the residence at this time.
A helicopter from the Illinois Department of Transportation arrived at the Carmi Airport at 3:30 AM. The helicopter is equipped with ‘Fleer’ heat sensing system, The entire area around the location where the vehicle was recovered on Monday was covered and no subjects were located.
White County Crime Stoppers is offering a $2,000.00 reward for information leading to the location of Jacob Wheeler. Crime stoppers can be contacted by calling 800-637-3577 or the White County Sheriff’s Department at 618-382-5321.
This vehicle was located on Stewart St. in Carmi. The subject was located. The subject was not Jacob Wheeler.
On Thursday night at 11:50 PM the White County Sheriff’s Office received a report of lights on an old abandoned house located in a remote area of White County. The house was secured until backup officers from the Sheriff’s Office, Illinois State Police, and Carmi Police Department could arrive. The owner was contacted and advised there should be no light inside the residence, it has been vacant for several years.
The residence and surrounding buildings were searched. It appeared that someone had been in the residence at some point. The search did not locate anyone inside the residence at this time.
A helicopter from the Illinois Department of Transportation arrived at the Carmi Airport at 3:30 AM. The helicopter is equipped with ‘Fleer’ heat sensing system, The entire area around the location where the vehicle was recovered on Monday was covered and no subjects were located.
White County Crime Stoppers is offering a $2,000.00 reward for information leading to the location of Jacob Wheeler. Crime stoppers can be contacted by calling 800-637-3577 or the White County Sheriff’s Department at 618-382-5321.
MISSING PERSONS (8-28-2012)
On 8/26/2012 the White County Sheriff's Department took a report of two missing persons. They were identified as JACOB C. WHEELER, W/M, DOB 11/04/1989, 1173 County Road 2210N, Carmi, Illinois and JESSICA M. EVANS, W/F, DOB 02/10//1995, 211 W. Second St, Norris City, Illinois. They were last seen in a Gray Dodge Pickup Truck, IL Reg # 1061522.
On 8/27/2012 at app 2:45 pm the vehicle was located on County Road 1400E just South of County Road 2150N. This area is East of Centerville.
The truck had been driven down an embankment into a wooded area. The vehicle had ran over a large tree before coming to a rest.
In the bed of the truck a female subject, later identified as Jessica M. Evans, was located. Miss Evans was deceased.
Chief Deputy Coroner Ralph Hall and Coroner Carl McVey were called to the scene. Illinois Department of Conservation had a boat in the water and was notified of the area of the vehicle. Illinois State Police were requested to assist the Sheriff's Department in the investigation. States Attorney Scott Webb and Assistant States Attorney Denton Aud arrived on scene.
The incident is being investigated as a homicide. Miss Evans had what appeared to be gunshot wounds to the head. An autopsy will be performed at the White County Morgue on Tuesday.
Jacob Wheeler has not been located. he is a person of interest in the death of Miss Evans.
Anyone with information in reference to this matter please contact the Sheriff's Department
Doug Maier
White County Sheriff
On 8/27/2012 at app 2:45 pm the vehicle was located on County Road 1400E just South of County Road 2150N. This area is East of Centerville.
The truck had been driven down an embankment into a wooded area. The vehicle had ran over a large tree before coming to a rest.
In the bed of the truck a female subject, later identified as Jessica M. Evans, was located. Miss Evans was deceased.
Chief Deputy Coroner Ralph Hall and Coroner Carl McVey were called to the scene. Illinois Department of Conservation had a boat in the water and was notified of the area of the vehicle. Illinois State Police were requested to assist the Sheriff's Department in the investigation. States Attorney Scott Webb and Assistant States Attorney Denton Aud arrived on scene.
The incident is being investigated as a homicide. Miss Evans had what appeared to be gunshot wounds to the head. An autopsy will be performed at the White County Morgue on Tuesday.
Jacob Wheeler has not been located. he is a person of interest in the death of Miss Evans.
Anyone with information in reference to this matter please contact the Sheriff's Department
Doug Maier
White County Sheriff
Corrections Officer Arrested (7-20-2012)
On June 20th, 2012, a complaint was made to Sheriff Doug Maier in reference to an employee, Phillip L. Lowery. Mr. Lowery has been employed as a correction officer at the White County Jail since 4-1-2008. The complaint was made by the father of a minor female child, and it involved allegation of sexual abuse towards the child.
I spoke with the individual and determined that the matter needed to be investigated. I determined that an outside agency should investigate this matter and contacted the Illinois State Police and requested they conduct an investigation. I also contacted the Guardian Center to interview the victim. I attended the interview which was conducted on that morning.
I placed Mr. Lowery on administrative leave from the White County Jail effective June 20th, 2012, pending a resolution to the investigation.
On July 18th, 2012, criminal charges were filed in White County Circuit Court. Charges filed by Special Prosecutor Edwards County States Attorney Mike Valentine. Warrant 12-cf-77 issued for Phillip L. Lowery II, (DOB 6-29-74). Warrant for Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse. Bail set at $100,000.00 or $10,000.00 cash.
Mr. Lowery turned himself into the White County Sheriff's Office on 7-19-2012 at 7:00 PM where he was processed and posted the required bond of $10,000.00 for his release.
Mr. Lowery will remain on administrative leave with no legal standing or authority as a corrections officer.
- White County Sheriff Doug Maier
I spoke with the individual and determined that the matter needed to be investigated. I determined that an outside agency should investigate this matter and contacted the Illinois State Police and requested they conduct an investigation. I also contacted the Guardian Center to interview the victim. I attended the interview which was conducted on that morning.
I placed Mr. Lowery on administrative leave from the White County Jail effective June 20th, 2012, pending a resolution to the investigation.
On July 18th, 2012, criminal charges were filed in White County Circuit Court. Charges filed by Special Prosecutor Edwards County States Attorney Mike Valentine. Warrant 12-cf-77 issued for Phillip L. Lowery II, (DOB 6-29-74). Warrant for Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse. Bail set at $100,000.00 or $10,000.00 cash.
Mr. Lowery turned himself into the White County Sheriff's Office on 7-19-2012 at 7:00 PM where he was processed and posted the required bond of $10,000.00 for his release.
Mr. Lowery will remain on administrative leave with no legal standing or authority as a corrections officer.
- White County Sheriff Doug Maier
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