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Last updated on Wednesday, September 30, 2015
(JENNINGS CO.) - Indiana Conservation Officers arrested three men Monday afternoon for the theft, harvesting of and buying Ginseng without being a licensed buyer, probation violations and various marijuana and paraphernalia possession charges.
All three suspects were incarcerated at the Jennings County jail on the following charges:
58-year-old Thomas Hartwell of North Vernon: Theft, Level 6 Felony; Hunting Ginseng without the consent of the landowner, Class C Misdemeanor; Harvesting or collecting Ginseng in a closed season, Class B Misdemeanor; Probation violation for previous Ginseng charges.
70-year-old William McCollum of North Vernon: Aiding in theft, Level 6 Felony; Dealing in Ginseng without a license, B Misdemeanor; Aiding in hunting Ginseng without the consent of the landowner, Class C Misdemeanor; Aiding in harvesting or collecting Ginseng in a closed season, Class B Misdemeanor; Possession of Marijuana, B Misdemeanor; Possession of paraphernalia, A Misdemeanor.
51-year-old Robert Boyd of North Vernon: Aiding in theft, Level 6 Felony; Dealing in Ginseng without a license, B Misdemeanor; Aiding in hunting Ginseng without the consent of the landowner, Class C Misdemeanor; Aiding in harvesting or collecting Ginseng in a closed season, Class B Misdemeanor; Possession of Marijuana, B Misdemeanor; Possession of paraphernalia, A Misdemeanor.
At approximately 4:30 p.m., Indiana Conservation Officers served search warrants on the residences of McCollum and Boyd, where 20 pounds of illegally possessed dry Ginseng was recovered, along with marijuana and paraphernalia. The value of the Ginseng is estimated at approximately $9,000.
Indiana Conservation Officers located the men at McCollum's residence, in which a confession of the crimes were obtained and marijuana, as well as paraphernalia was found as a result of the search.
The legal season to collect and harvest ginseng begins September 1 and consent from the land owner must be obtained prior to entering private property. Citizens are encouraged to contact 1-800-TIPIDNR or ICO Central Dispatch at (812) 873-9536 to report any suspicious activity or any ongoing crime that is afoot.
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