Seventeen people have been charged on suspicion of welfare fraud following an investigation by the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department and the Indiana Department of Workforce Development.
Police say information was gathered regarding inmates from various jails and prisons applying for unemployment while incarcerated. The investigations reportedly found that several inmates had accomplices who were not incarcerated and completed the online application and weekly vouchers to receive unemployment funds, according to the report.
According to the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department:
Brooke E. Gardner, age 45, Culver, Indiana was charged with two counts of Welfare Fraud, Level 6 Felony. Brooke E. Gardner was given a court date and currently within the court.
Cameron M. Gardner, age 28, Plymouth, Indiana was charged with one count of Welfare Fraud, Level 6 Felony. An arrest warrant has been issued for his arrest. Cameron is currently serving time with Westville Correctional Facility. The bond for Cameron is $3,000.
Evan T. Gardner, age 27, Culver, Indiana was charged with one count of Welfare Fraud, Level 6 Felony. An arrest warrant was issued and served on August 02, 2022.
Charles J. Sell, age 40, currently incarcerated with the Marshall County Jail was charged with Welfare Fraud, Level 6 Felony.
Kiersten K. Sell, age 31, Ossian, Indiana was charged with Welfare Fraud, level 6 Felony. Kiersten K. Sell was arrested and on August 10, 2022 and bonded ($3,000 cash).
Dustin A. Kanschat, age 42, currently incarcerated within Westville Correctional Facility. Dustin was charged with Welfare Fraud, Level 6 Felony, warrant signed for his arrest. The bond for him is $3,000 cash.
Brittnie M. Kanschat, age 38, Plymouth, Indiana was charged with Welfare Fraud, Level 6 Felony. On Monday, August 15, 2022, Brittnie M. Kanschat was arrested and booked into the Marshall County Jail. The bond is $3,000 cash.
On Thursday, September 8, 2022, Albert Preston Miller, Jr. was arrested at the Comfort Suites, located in Plymouth, Indiana for Welfare Fraud and 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, Bremen, Indiana for Welfare Fraud, Level 6 Felony. The bond for Windie is $3,000 cash. Windie was booked into the Marshall County Jail.
On September 09, 2022, Chad E. Hickey, age 38, Bremen, Indiana was arrested on an arrest warrant for Welfare Fraud, Level 6 Felony. The bond is $3,000 cash.
On Saturday, September 10, 2022, Renee S. Atkins, age 53, Bourbon, Indiana was arrested on an arrest warrant for Welfare Fraud, Level 6 Felony. The bond is $3,000 cash.
The Marshall County Prosecutor’s Office filed formal charges on Dustin Whitaker, for Welfare Fraud, Level 6 Felony for allegedly obtaining unemployment while he was incarcerated in the Marshall County Jail. Dustin Whitaker is currently incarcerated within Westville Correctional Facility on an unrelated charge.
The Marshall County Prosecutor’s Office filed formal charges on Justin P. Sanders, for Welfare Fraud, Level 6 Felony for allegedly obtaining unemployment while he was incarcerated in the Marshall County Jail. Dustin Whitaker is currently incarcerated within Westville Correctional Facility on an unrelated charge.
On Monday, October 10, 2022, Josefina M. Cabrera, age 33, Plymouth, Indiana, was arrested for Welfare Fraud, Level 6 Felony. The bond for her is $3,000.00 cash. She was booked into the Marshall County Jail.
Amy Reese, age 45, North Liberty, Indiana was charged with one count of Welfare Fraud, Level 6 Felony. An arrest warrant was issued for Amy Reese. The warrant was recalled and an attorney entered her appearance for her in Marshall County Superior # 3.
Alicia D. Ark, age 24, last known address was Nappanee, Indiana area was charged with one count of Welfare Fraud, Level 6 Felony. 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, last known address was Bourbon, Indiana was charged with one count of Welfare Fraud, Level 6 Felony. 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.
Suspects are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
