The Marshall County Sheriff’s Department along with the Indiana Department of Workforce Development obtained information regarding inmates from various jails and prisons applying for unemployment, while incarcerated within those jails and or prisons.
The investigations revealed that several inmates had accomplices who were not incarcerated and complete the online application and weekly vouchers to receive the unemployment funds. After completing the investigations, the information was turned over to the Marshall County Prosecutor’s Office for review. The Marshall County Prosecutor’s Office filed formal charges on 17 individuals for Welfare Fraud, as a Level 6 Felony. They include:
Brooke E. Gardner, 45, from Culver. She was charged with two counts of Welfare Fraud. She is currently in the court system.
Cameron M. Gardner, 28, from Plymouth, was charged with one count of Welfare Fraud. An arrest warrant has been issued for his arrest. Cameron is currently serving time in the Westville Correctional Facility. The bond for Cameron is set at $3,000.
Evan T. Gardner, age 27, from Culver was charged with one count of Welfare Fraud, as a Level 6 Felony. An arrest warrant was issued and served on August 02, 2022.
Charles J. Sell, 40, of Ossian, IN is currently incarcerated in the Marshall County Jail. He was charged with Welfare Fraud.
Kiersten K. Sell, age 31, Ossian, IN was charged with Welfare Fraud. She was arrested on August 10, 2022 and paid the $3,000 to bond out.
Dustin A. Kanschat, age 42, of Plymouth is currently incarcerated in the Westville Correctional Facility. Dustin was charged with Welfare Fraud and a warrant was signed for his arrest. The cash bond for him is $3,000.
Brittnie M. Kanschat, 38, from Plymouth was charged with Welfare Fraud. On Monday, August 15, 2022, Brittnie M. Kanschat was arrested and booked into the Marshall County Jail. Her cash bond is $3,000.
On Thursday, September 8, 2022, Albert Preston Miller, Jr. was arrested at the Comfort Suites, located in Plymouth, for Welfare Fraud. He was booked into the Marshall County Jail. The bond for Albert Miller, Jr is $3,000 cash.
On Friday, September 9, 2022, the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department arrested Windie E. Cherrone, of Bremen for Welfare Fraud. She is being held in the Marshall County Jail on a $3,000 cash bond.
On September 09, 2022, Chad E. Hickey, age 38, from Bremen was arrested on an arrest warrant for Welfare Fraud. He is being held in the County Jail on a $3,000 cash bond.
On Saturday, September 10, 2022, Renee S. Atkins, 53, of Bourbon, was arrested on an arrest warrant for Welfare Fraud. Her cash bond is set at $3,000.
The Marshall County Prosecutor’s Office filed formal charges on Dustin Whitaker, for Welfare Fraud, as a Level 6 Felony for allegedly obtaining unemployment while he was incarcerated in the Marshall County Jail. Dustin Whitaker is currently incarcerated in the Westville Correctional Facility on an unrelated charge.
The Marshall County Prosecutor’s Office filed formal charges on Justin P. Sanders, for Welfare Fraud, for allegedly obtaining unemployment while he was incarcerated in the Marshall County Jail.
On Monday, October 10, 2022, Josefina M. Cabrera, 33, from Plymouth, was arrested for Welfare Fraud and booked into the County Jail. The bond for her is $3,000.00 cash.
Amy Reese, 45, North Liberty, was charged with one count of Welfare Fraud. On October 07, 2022, an arrest warrant was issued for Amy Reese. On October 15, 2022, the warrant was recalled and an attorney entered an appearance for her in Marshall County Superior # 3.
Alicia D. Ark, age 24, with a last known address in the Nappanee area was charged with one count of Welfare Fraud. An arrest warrant was issued for Alicia D. Ark on September 7, 2022. The location of Alicia is currently unknown. If anyone has any information concerning Alicia Ark, please contact the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department.
Joe C. Shepherd, age 51, with a last known address in Bourbon was charged with one count of Welfare Fraud. An arrest warrant was issued for Joe C. Shepherd on September 07, 2022. The location of Joe C. Shepherd is currently unknown. If anyone has any information concerning Joe C. Shepherd, please contact the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department.
Readers are reminded that charging information supported by an affidavit of probable cause is merely an allegation that a crime has been committed and that there is only probable cause to believe a crime has been committed. They are presumed innocent throughout the proceedings and are entitled to be represented by counsel and entitled to a trial by jury at which the State is obligated to provide proof beyond a reasonable doubt before a judgment of guilt may be made.
