Beech Grove Man Convicted in 2019 Murder

Beech Grove, IN (April 29, 2021) - A Beech Grove, Indiana man has been convicted in the 2019 murder of a man who was celebrating his bachelor party at a bar on the Southside of Indianapolis.

 

Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears on Thursday announced that Derek Oechsle was convicted of murder and criminal recklessness in the death of Christopher Smith.

RELATED | Beech Grove man charged in fatal gunfight

Authorities said Smith was at Jake's Pub, 1280 West Southport Road, celebrating his bachelor party with friends when Oechsle became visibly upset and got into a physical altercation with another person at the bar.

Witnesses told authorities Oechsle pulled out a gun and began hitting the other person when Smith tried to break up the fight. Oechsle then shot Smith and fired other shots into the crowd until one of Smith’s friends returned fire.

Smith was taken to a nearby hospital where he later died. A sentencing hearing for Oechsle has been set for May 20 at 2 p.m.

Man Arrested on Child Molesting Charges

Crown Point, IN (October 20, 2020) - A man is expected to make his first court appearance today on charges filed more than seven years ago alleging he sexually abused a girl when she was between the ages of 4 and 10. Fermin B. Rosales, 20, of Joliet, Illinois  recently was extradited from El Paso County, Texas, to Lake County.

Rosales is accused of repeatedly molesting the girl when they lived in the same home in Hammond between March 2003 and March 2009. Rosales' initial appearance was scheduled for today before a Lake Criminal Court magistrate, online records showed. 

The girl first disclosed the alleged abuse in early 2012, after she was admitted to a mental facility for treatment, court records state. Rosales was charged in June 2013 with nine felonies, including three counts of child molesting.

The girl told police Rosales repeatedly touched her inappropriately when she was between the ages of 4 and 6, documents state. When she was 10 years old, Rosales began forcing her to have intercourse and oral sex, court records allege.

The girl told police Rosales punched her in the stomach or face if she refused to do as he ordered, and he threatened to kill her if she told anyone. The girl's mother told police Rosales' father was deported to Mexico for sexually abusing a female child, records state.

SOURCE: North West Indiana Times

Need help? Call 800.656.HOPE (4673) to be connected with a trained staff member from a sexual assault service provider in your area.

Southport Reserve Officer Charged

Southport, IN (February 25, 2020) —An investigation that began around mid-January has led to the arrest of a Franklin man on the charges of criminal confinement and neglect of a dependent, both are Level 6 Felonies.

It began in January after a staff member at Franklin High School was made aware of a situation involving a 15-year-old student that took place off campus, according to the release. The staff member contacted the Department of Child Services, which then notified authorities.

DCS contacted the Franklin Police Department who then turned the case over to the Indiana State Police when it was determined the alleged crime occurred in Marion County.

According to state police detectives, 37-year-old Timothy Hayes Jr. who at the time was a reserve police officer for the Southport Police Department, allegedly utilized his position as a police officer for an attempted scare tactic for his 15 year old son, state police said.

Hayes Jr. allegedly left his son handcuffed and unattended in an intake holding area at the Southport Police Department for over 30 minutes. Hayes Jr. then drove his son, who was still handcuffed, to the Adult Processing Center for the Marion County Jail and parked in an area designated for police vehicles, however neither Hayes Jr. nor his son exited the vehicle. Hayes Jr. then drove back to his home in Franklin.

Indiana State Police detectives presented the results of their investigation to the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office. Prosecutors reviewed the case and subsequently issued an arrest warrant for Timothy Hayes Jr. on Monday. Earlier this morning, Hayes Jr. turned himself into the Marion County Jail.

The Southport Police Department has been fully cooperative with this investigation, state police said. Timothy Hayes Jr. on administrative leave pending the outcome of an internal investigation.

All suspects named are considered innocent until and unless proven guilty in the court of law.