INDIANA SHERIFFS’ YOUTH LEADERSHIP CAMP

Marion County Sheriff John Layton announced today that the Marion County Sheriff’s Office is sponsoring sixth and seventh grade students to attend the Indiana Sheriffs’ Youth Leadership Camp at the Waycross Camp located in Morgantown, Indiana. The camp is scheduled for July 10 through July 12,  2012.

Camp activities include career oriented classes, leadership skills, an obstacle course, swimming, marching and other recreational activities. There will be opportunities for discussion, and personal contact with some of Indiana’s finest law enforcement officers.

Sheriff Layton commented, “This is a great opportunity for young boys and girls to meet the men and women that serve the public in law enforcement, and at the same time enjoy outdoor activities.  They will also learn about subjects that will help them in their future endeavors.”

To receive additional information and an application to participate, please call the Marion County Sheriff’s Office at (317) 327-1320.

Sheriff Calls for Continued Cooperation Throughout Public Safety

Public Safety Director Dr. Frank Straub telephoned Sheriff John Layton this morning to advise him of his decision to resign as Public Safety Director.  Just last Tuesday, Sheriff Layton issued a statement that he looked forward to continuing to work with all parties, including Public Safety Director Straub, to find positive solutions to the difficult  public safety funding challenges facing the City and County.

During the course of the conversation this morning, the two Public Safety Officials agreed to continue their efforts during Dr. Straub’s  remaining tenure.  “Over the last several weeks, Dr. Straub and I have worked together finding that our offices faced similar challenges and we realized that by working more closely together we might better meet these challenges successfully,” said Sheriff Layton.  “I appreciate the dialogue with the Department of Public Safety, and I hope to have a good relationship with the next Public Safety Director,” concluded Sheriff Layton.

Joint Operation Snags Wanted Sex Offender

Marion County Sheriff John Layton announced today that Deputy Sheriffs, working in conjunction with the United States Marshals Service and the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), arrested Kevin L Hatwood, 29, a wanted sex offender. The Deputies were conducting an ongoing sex offender investigation and discovered that Hatwood was hiding in a motel room. Hatwood was determined to be wanted on an active felony warrant issued by the Marion Superior Court for violation of sex offender registry requirements stemming from a rape conviction in 2001. During the investigation, Deputies found two loaded handguns, marijuana and cocaine in the room. Investigators from the ATF responded and assisted Deputies with the investigation to pursue possible federal charges.

The arrest of Hatwood stems from the current and ongoing joint initiation between the Marion County Sheriff's office and US Marshals Service to aggressively seek wanted sex offenders. Hatwood was formally charged by the Marion County Prosecutor's Office for possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon, a class B felony; possession of cocaine and a firearm, a class  C felony; and possession of marijuana, a class A misdemeanor.

Anyone wanting to report the whereabouts of a wanted person can contact Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at (317) 262-TIPS or via the web at www.crimetips.org. A cash reward is available.