Operation "Rusty Cherub" Nets Multiple Arrests

The arrests stem from a July 4 altercation in Madison during the Madison Regatta

(Madison, Ind.) - Early this morning, a multi-state warrant sweep, named “Operation Rusty Cherub”, netted 13 arrests. 

The arrests stem from a July 4 altercation in Madison during the Madison Regatta involving members of the Iron Horsemen and Hells Angels Outlaw Motorcycle Organizations. 

The investigation and warrant sweep, led by the State Police-Special Investigations Section, involved a coordinated effort between multiple local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies in Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, and Virginia. 

The investigation began on July 4 shortly after 3:00 pm, when members of the Iron Horsemen Outlaw Motorcycle Organization and Hells Angels Outlaw Motorcycle Organization encountered each other inside of Shipley’s Tavern, located on West Street in Madison. The altercation that ensued led to multiple individuals receiving injuries. Damage to property also occurred inside Shipley’s Tavern.

This altercation occurred during 4th of July Weekend when the Madison Regatta and other community events brought thousands of people to Madison. 

The altercation occurred during 4^th of July Weekend when the Madison Regatta and other community events brought thousands of people to Madison, Indiana.  

Arrests Made:         

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, Indiana
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, Indiana
Corrupt Business Influence, Level 5 Felony
Battery (2 counts), Class B Misdemeanor
Disorderly Conduct, Class B Misdemeanor

Crystal A. Melcher, age 48, Sellersburg, Indiana
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, Indiana
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, Indiana
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, Indiana
Corrupt Business Influence, Level 5 Felony
Aiding in Battery with Deadly Weapon, Level 5 Felony

The arrests and search warrants that were served on Wednesday morning have led to additional search warrants and possible additional local charges. In total, search warrants were served at 18 separate locations in the tri-state area this morning. 

Jefferson County Indiana Prosecutor David Sutter stated, “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.  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 Indiana State Police Special Investigations Section has been assisted in the investigation by 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 O