Madison Regatta Brawl: Operation Rusty Cherub Nets 13 Arrests

‘Operation Rusty Cherub’ Nets Arrests

(Provided Photos) (Southeastern IN) – A multi-state warrant sweep named “Operation Rusty Cherub” netted 13 arrests early Wednesday morning. Indiana State Police say the arrests stemmed from a July 4th altercation during the Madison Regatta involving members of the Iron Horsemen and Hells Angels outlaw motorcycle organizations. The investigation and warrant sweep, led by Detective Tim Denby with the ISP Special Investigations Section, involved a coordinated effort between multiple local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies in Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, and Virginia. Troopers say the investigation began on July 4th shortly after 3 p.m., when members of the Iron Horsemen and Hells Angels encountered each other inside of Shipley’s Tavern on West Street in Madison. The altercation that ensued led to multiple people sustaining injuries. Damage to property also occurred inside the bar. The altercation occurred during 4th of July Weekend when the Madison Regatta and other community events brought thousands of people to the area. The Madison Police Department originally responded to the incident. Due to the scope of the investigation, the ISP Special Investigations Section assumed the lead. The investigation led to charges being filed in the Jefferson Superior Court, and culminated in the arrests of 11 suspects in the Tri-State on multiple criminal charges and a number of search warrants being served before daybreak Wednesday morning. Two more suspects were arrested by the U.S. Marshal’s Service in Richmond, Virginia on Wednesday. Those arrested are: Colton W. Griffin, age 37, Milton, Kentucky Corrupt Business Influence, Level 5 Felony Aiding in Battery with Deadly Weapon, Level 5 Felony Battery Resulting in Moderate Bodily Injury, Level 6 Felony Disorderly Conduct, Class B Misdemeanor Elizabeth A. Whelan, age 36, Rising Sun Corrupt Business Influence, Level 5 Felony Battery with Deadly Weapon, Level 5 Felony Disorderly Conduct, Class B Misdemeanor Jacob B. Barkalow, age 29, Dry Ridge, Kentucky Corrupt Business Influence, Level 5 Felony Aiding in Battery with Deadly Weapon, Level 5 Felony Battery Resulting in Moderate Bodily Injury, Level 6 Felony Disorderly Conduct, Class B Misdemeanor Toby L. Jones, age 39, North Vernon Corrupt Business Influence, Level 5 Felony Battery (2 counts), Class B Misdemeanor Disorderly Conduct, Class B Misdemeanor Crystal A. Melcher, age 48, Sellersburg Corrupt Business Influence, Level 5 Felony Attempted Obstruction of Justice, Level 6 Felony Attempted Battery (2 counts), Class B Misdemeanor Attempted Battery by Bodily Waste, Class B Misdemeanor Disorderly Conduct, Class B Misdemeanor Michael D. Melcher, age 53, Sellersburg Corrupt Business Influence, Level 5 Felony Battery (2 counts), Class B Misdemeanor Disorderly Conduct, Class B Misdemeanor Owen A. Dumford, age 22, Richmond, Indiana Corrupt Business Influence, Level 5 Felony Aiding in Battery with Deadly Weapon, Level 5 Felony Tyler L. Cole, age 28, Mount Orab, Ohio Corrupt Business Influence, Level 5 Felony Battery with Deadly Weapon, Level 5 Felony Battery Resulting in Moderate Bodily Injury, Level 6 Felony Intimidation, Level 6 Felony Battery, Class A Misdemeanor Criminal Vandalism, Class B Misdemeanor Disorderly Conduct, Class B Misdemeanor Toby W. Hughes, 47, Rising Sun Corrupt Business Influence, Level 5 Felony Aiding in Battery with Deadly Weapon, Level 5 Felony Battery Resulting in Moderate Bodily Injury, Level 6 Felony Disorderly Conduct, Class B Misdemeanor Jason D. Stowers, age 47, Frankfort, Kentucky Corrupt Business Influence, Level 5 Felony Aiding in Battery with Deadly Weapon, Level 5 Felony Battery, Class A Misdemeanor Attempted Battery, Class B Misdemeanor Disorderly Conduct, Class B Misdemeanor Robert M. Stagge, age 37, Cincinnati, Ohio Corrupt Business Influence, Level 5 Felony Aiding in Battery with Deadly Weapon, Level 5 Felony Battery Resulting in Moderate Bodily Injury, Level 6 Felony Disorderly Conduct, Class B Misdemeanor Cole M. Hoffman, age 27, Crittenden, Kentucky Corrupt Business Influence, Level 5 Felony Aiding in Battery with Deadly Weapon, Level 5 Felony Christopher M. Moore, age 45, Scottsburg Corrupt Business Influence, Level 5 Felony Aiding in Battery with Deadly Weapon, Level 5 Felony The arrests and search warrants that were served early Wednesday morning have led to additional search warrants and possible additional local charges. In total, search warrants were served at 18 separate locations across the Tri-State. “In one of our community’s busiest and most exciting weekends of the year, individuals from these two organizations chose to engage in criminal activity and cause chaos among law abiding citizens who wanted to enjoy what Madison has to offer,” said Jefferson County Prosecutor David Sutter. “I commend the Indiana State Police and all cooperating law enforcement agencies for their efforts in pursuing those engaging in this criminal activity to make our community a safe and enjoyable place.” Multiple investigative techniques were used during the course of the three-month long investigation including the use of Flock cameras to identify and locate suspects in this case. The ISP Special Investigations Section received assistance in the investigation from the following agencies: -Indiana State Police (Multiple Districts and Sections) Madison (IN) Police Department Jefferson County (IN) Sheriff’s Department FBI (Indianapolis, Cincinnati, and Louisville Field Offices) ATF US Marshal’s Service Northern Kentucky Drug Strike Force Kentucky State Police Kenton County (KY) Police Department Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigations Mount Orab (OH) Police Department Brown County (OH) Police Department Cincinnati (OH) Police Department Hamilton (OH), Police Department Jefferson County (IN) Prosecutor’s Office Wayne County (IN) Prosecutor’s Office Jackson County (IN) Prosecutor’s Office Jennings County (IN) Prosecutor’s Office Dearborn/Ohio County (IN) Prosecutor’s Office Scott County (IN) Prosecutor’s Office Clark County (IN) Prosecutor’s Office Grant County (KY) Commonwealth Attorney’s Office Kenton County (KY) Commonwealth Attorney’s Office Carroll County (KY) Commonwealth Attorney’s Office Franklin County (KY) Commonwealth Attorney’s Office Brown County (OH) Prosecutor’s Office Butler County (OH) Prosecutor’s Office Hamilton County (OH) Prosecutor’s Office

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