Indiana DNR Monroe Report

Link to PDF of report: https://bloomingtonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Monroe-Reservoir-Incident-REDACTED.pdf

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources released the following report to The Bloomingtonian with the following message in an e-mail:

“As requested, attached is a copy of the DNR investigation report that has been submitted to the Monroe County Prosecutor’s Office.

(NOTE: Due to juvenile witnesses and personally identifiable information, you will see parts have been redacted.)”

The report, cut and pasted from a PDF, begins here:

Investigator:

PURDY SEAN L

SUBJ WM

Eth Hgt Wgt Eyes Hair Lngth Build Cmpx Facial Gls M/S Arrnum FBI SBI St

CHERCO IAN J

Case Number

IDNR LAW ENFORCEMENT

Case Data Sheet

INV2001061C

Incident Log Number

06-20-01606

þ Criminal ¨ Admin ¨ OC/Narc ¨ IAU ¨ INTEL

B8553

WILLIAM G. BAKER JR.

Case Status

CLEARED BY ARREST

SUBJECTS INVESTIGATED

INVOL DOB SSN R S PHONE

SUBJ WM

Eth Hgt Wgt Eyes Hair Lngth Build Cmpx Facial Gls M/S Arrnum FBI SBI St

COX JERRY E

SUBJ WF

Eth Hgt Wgt Eyes Hair Lngth Build Cmpx Facial Gls M/S Arrnum FBI SBI St

MCCORD CAROLINE TRAUB

WIT WM

Eth Hgt Wgt Eyes Hair Lngth Build Cmpx Facial Gls M/S Arrnum FBI SBI St

SUBJ WM

Eth Hgt Wgt Eyes Hair Lngth Build Cmpx Facial Gls M/S Arrnum FBI SBI St

MILLS JAMES L

INTERV W M

Eth Hgt Wgt Eyes Hair Lngth Build Cmpx Facial Gls M/S Arrnum FBI SBI St

WATKINS IAN A

SUBJ WM

Eth Hgt Wgt Eyes Hair Lngth Build Cmpx Facial Gls M/S Arrnum FBI SBI St

GOLIGHTLY BRENNAN J

COX STEVEN W

SUBJ WM

Case Number

INV2001061C

RMS LOGNUM 06-20-01606

Case Type

CRIM

Case DS 1.3 PAGE

IDNR LAW ENFORCEMENT

Case Data Sheet

Prepared By

WILLIAM G. BAKER JR.

07/14/2020

Updated By

Case Number

INV2001061C

Incident Log Number

06-20-01606

þ Criminal ¨ Admin ¨ OC/Narc ¨ IAU ¨ INTEL

Investigator:

Case Status

CLEARED BY ARREST

B8553

Comments / Narratives

Title

WILLIAM G. BAKER JR.

Created on

Locked

Detective/Sgt. Jay Baker

07/09/2020

Updated on

B8553

C3048

Approved By

Approved Date

Approved þ

C3048

JOHN CANNARELLA

07/14/2020

Prelude:

On July 4, 2020 Indiana Conservation Officers were called to a property adjacent the shore of Monroe Reservoir. It was determined an altercation had taken place but at the time, it was not clear if it occurred on public property or private property. The minor injuries observed the night of the altercation were a small cut to the forehead of Jerry Cox and redness underneath his right eye. Vauhxx Booker had a small scratch on his left cheek and complained of a headache. No other injuries were observed or documented by the initial responding officers at the scene. People at the scene had made verbal complaints of battery and criminal trespass. There were also complaints that the incident was racially motivated. With an immediate lack of physical evidence at the scene the initial responding officers consulted with the Monroe County Prosecutor’s Office and were advised to document all relevant information, submit a report, and later determine if there would be any criminal charges. An investigation was completed and criminal acts by multiple subjects were documented.

Throughout the investigation, it was determined there was evidence of multiple crimes to include individual statements, video, and physical injuries (Photographed and medical records). Evidence was documented in the report, supplements, and attachments that comprise the completed investigation report that was submitted to the Monroe County Prosecutor’s Office for their review.

The following is a list of potential crimes committed:

Criminal Confinement (IC 35-42-3-3), Level 6 felony-victim: Vauhxx Booker, suspect:
Battery (IC 35-42-2-1), A misdemeanor-victim: Vauhxx Booker, suspects: Sean Purdy Cox
Battery (IC 35-42-2-1), A misdemeanor- victim: Sean Purdy, suspect: Vauhxx Booker
Battery (IC 35-42-2-1), A misdemeanor, victim: Jerry Cox, suspect: Vauhxx Booker
Battery (IC-35-42-2-1), B misdemeanor, victim: Brennan Golightly, suspect: Jerry
Criminal Trespass, A misdemeanor, victim: Caroline/Bruce McCord, suspects: Vauhxx and Ian Watkins

Involved Persons:

1. Sean Purdy, interviewed
2. Vauhxx Booker, interviewed (At scene only)

Sean Purdy and Jerry

Cox Booker

Case Number

INV2001061C

RMS LOGNUM 06-20-01606

Case Type

CRIM

Case DS 1.3 PAGE

IDNR LAW ENFORCEMENT

Case Data Sheet

Case Number

INV2001061C

Incident Log Number

06-20-01606

þ Criminal ¨ Admin ¨ OC/Narc ¨ IAU ¨ INTEL

Investigator:

Case Status

CLEARED BY ARREST

B8553

Comments / Narratives

WILLIAM G. BAKER JR.

battered. Again, the video shows Booker being held down against the tree suggesting he was held there against his will.

Also on July 9, 2020 Detective/Sgt. Stinson and Detective/Sgt. Kinne attempted to locate the phone of Walsh to serve the search warrant on the phone. They were ultimately unsuccessful. Monroe County Prosecutor’s Office Chief Deputy Prosecutor Jeff Kehr contacted Walsh’s attorney, Katherine Liell. Kehr asked that Liell contact Walsh and have him surrender his phone to her. Walsh did not do this, due to apparently changing to a new attorney (Fred Turner).

On July 10, 2020 Attorney Fred Turner attempted to get Walsh’s phone turned over to us or the FBI. These attempts were not successful. The phone was not turned over to us. Text conversations between Stinson and Walsh are documented in Stinson’s supplement. Walsh promised to turn in the phone to the FBI on Monday July 13, 2020 at 9:30 a.m. It was not turned in on July 13, 2020.

On July 14, 2020 Detective/Sgt. Stinson served the warrant on FBI Special Agent Russell Warlick as Warlick had previoulsy taken data off of the phone provided to him by Walsh. Warlick had only obtained a limited amount of data from the phone. The data provided no evidentiary information pertaining to the incident that occurred. It should be noted that the phone was not imaged only that Walsh transfered select files from his phone to Warlick.

Sabrina Cox Interview:

I first interviewed Sabrina Cox, wife of Jerry Cox who were both present when the incident occurred. The interview took place on July 6, 2020 at approximately 6:36 p.m. at the Morgan County Sheriff’s Department where it was audio and video recorded (Copies are attached). Sabrina Cox was advised she was there voluntarily and was free to leave at any time. Sabrina Cox is the wife of Jerry Cox and arrived at Monroe Reservoir with Jerry on the morning of Saturday July 4, 2020. Also with them, was their son Jared Cox and ***JUVENILE***.

While in a boat parked on the beach, Sabrina said she saw Vauhxx Booker and “some other people” come through the McCord property and go down to the beach and started talking with Caroline McCord. She said McCord went up from the beach toward the property and Booker followed after. I asked Sabrina specifically about the conversation, but she said the only thing she remembered was that Booker was saying something about being some sort of public official, and McCord told Booker he was on private property.

Sabrina said she heard an argument/commotion up from the beach and she ultimately went up there, but Jared and ***JUVENILE*** stayed in the boat on the beach. Sabrina said she observed Purdy holding Booker up against a tree, and everyone was screaming “let him go”. She also said she had seen the video, and was having a hard time distinguishing what she saw in the video versus what she actually remembered. She said she screamed to let him go as well. Sabrina said she had consumed quite a bit of alcohol that day and guessed that it was at least ten beers. She said she was “intoxicated”. She did not remember anybody hitting anybody, but she remembered saying something to Purdy while he was holding Booker against the tree. She remembered Purdy was later angry with her for that.

Sabrina did not recall any threats towards Booker, nor any mention of a noose or rope. Sabrina said Purdy was the only one holding Booker up against the tree. Sabrina heard Purdy talking about giving Booker a ride to their

Case Number

INV2001061C

RMS LOGNUM 06-20-01606

Case Type

CRIM

Case DS 1.3 PAGE

IDNR LAW ENFORCEMENT

Case Data Sheet

Case Number

INV2001061C

Incident Log Number

06-20-01606

þ Criminal ¨ Admin ¨ OC/Narc ¨ IAU ¨ INTEL

Investigator:

Case Status

CLEARED BY ARREST

B8553

Comments / Narratives

WILLIAM G. BAKER JR.

campsite earlier in the day (She heard this after the fight occurred). She said Jerry told her he was punched by Booker in the face, so he then punched Booker at least once. Sabrina did not think anybody in her group had any video of the incident. Sabrina was upset that she had been receiving death threats as a result of the incident. I told her we would discuss how to deal with that later, when their whole group was together after the interviews.

Sean Purdy Interview:

I next interviewed Sean L. Purdy on July 6, 2020 at approximately 7:35 p.m. The interview took place at the Morgan County Sheriff’s Department. The interview was audio (Audio only is a partial due to battery failure on audio recorder, audio is present in video) and video recorded. Purdy was advised he was there voluntarily and was free to leave at any time. I immediately noticed a large bruise on Purdy’s chin which Purdy later said was from Booker punching him (This and a bruise on Purdy’s right arm were later photographed by ICO Kinser).

During the interview, Purdy advised me that he was in a confrontation with the person he later learned was Vauhxx Booker. Purdy said he arrived at the McCord property on Thursday July 2, 2020. He said he was familiar with the property and had been going there since October/November of 2019, shortly after he started dating Caroline McCord. Purdy said he met “Max” (Later identified as Fredrick M. Walsh) on the adjacent property owned by Hoosier National Forest earlier in the week (He believed this took place on Thursday July 2, 2020). Purdy said he tried to explain where the McCord property lines were to Max.

Purdy said on Saturday July 4, 2020, he encountered numerous persons trespassing on the McCord property and would explain to them all, where the property lines were, and that the McCord’s did not wish to have them on their property. He also said that he encountered Booker and another subject (Later identified as Ian Watkins) on the property and gave them a ride on his “cart”, to show him where Max’s campsite was, on the adjacent property. He said Booker was not friendly to him during that encounter and further explained that they did not like his (Purdy’s) hat. Purdy described his hat as a cowboy hat with a confederate flag on it.

Purdy said later on Saturday (July 4, 2020), he noticed Booker yelling at his (Purdy’s) girlfriend, Caroline McCord. Purdy demonstrated how Booker was pointing at McCord and said he had gotten as close as two inches from her. Purdy said he could not hear what Booker was saying due to a radio being played. Purdy
said this did not occur on the beach but up on top of the hill closer their (Purdy’s) campsite. Purdy said they (Booker and another individual later identified as Ian Watkins) had walked through his (Purdy’s) campsite on the way down to where the incident occurred.

At that point, Purdy said he forced his way in between Booker and McCord by pushing Booker (He demonstrated this with his hands). Purdy later said that he did not move Booker with the push, due to Booker being much larger than he was. Purdy said, he told Booker “Don’t talk to my lady like that, you are over here on our property, you are not going to come over here and do this”. Purdy then said he got punched in the jaw, causing the bruise on his chin. Purdy said he went down after the punch and then his memory was a little blurry after that because of the punch.

Purdy said he didn’t remember how they ended up in a position where he was holding Booker up against a tree. He specifically said “I don’t remember a minute or so”. He said he was mainly holding Booker up against the tree with his legs. Purdy said he did not think Booker was trying very hard to get out of being held up against the tree. Purdy said he remembered Booker could breathe fine and said “I was just holding him in place, not

Case Number

INV2001061C

RMS LOGNUM 06-20-01606

Case Type

CRIM

Case DS 1.3 PAGE

IDNR LAW ENFORCEMENT

Case Data Sheet

Case Number

INV2001061C

Incident Log Number

06-20-01606

þ Criminal ¨ Admin ¨ OC/Narc ¨ IAU ¨ INTEL

Investigator:

Case Status

CLEARED BY ARREST

B8553

Comments / Narratives

WILLIAM G. BAKER JR.

letting him go, were gonna, you know. I wanted to stop it from happening, ready for it to be over, you know”. Purdy said he did not know when/how Jerry Cox got involved. Purdy also said Caroline said he (Purdy) had been hit three times but he only knew of one time. Purdy said he did not say any threats to Booker and did not hear any others. Purdy admitted to drinking quite a bit that day. I also asked Purdy why he did not report getting punched that evening (July 4, 2020). Purdy said he just wanted it all to go away.

On July 11, 2020 after reviewing interviews, it was realized that ***JUVENILE*** was a potential witness to the altercation. I contacted Sean Purdy via telephone and determined ***JUVENILE*** is the son of Sean Purdy. Sean Purdy told me that ***JUVENILE*** was up at the campers when the altercation took place and did not come down to the scene until after it was over.

Brennan Golightly Interview:

I interviewed Brennan Golightly at the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department. The interview took place on July 7, 2020 at approximately 9:19 a.m. Golightly was told he was there voluntarily and was free to leave at any time. The interview was audio and video recorded.

Golightly arrived at the campsite (Max’s campsite) at approximately 3:00 p.m. on July 4, 2020 for their “Lunar Eclipse Camp out”. Golightly said he, Max, and Christina (Last name unknown) were the only ones at the site when he arrived. Golightly said Booker and another individual named Ian (He later learned was Ian Watkins) arrived on a four wheeler being dropped off by another guy (Later identified as Sean Purdy). Booker and Watkins evidently explained that the guy told them they were trespassing and then offered them a ride.

Golightly said Booker mentioned that the guy (Purdy) was inebriated and that Booker did not like the confederate flag on his (Purdy’s) hat. Golightly said after about an hour, Steven Cox came in “from an odd direction” and told them a story about being confronted for trespassing and then someone on the boat on the beach repeatedly yelled “white power”. This yelling was not heard by Golightly. Golightly said he knew Booker and knows what he stands for and when there was a mention of the phrase “white power” Golightly said his “gut hurt”.

Golightly said Booker was calm but discussed it with Watkins and Max. Watkins and Booker then walked back to the camp (Purdy’s camp). Golightly said Max came up to him and Steven Cox and said he was worried about Booker and Watkins. Golightly said the three of them started walking towards the camp (Purdy’s) and they heard a yell so they took off running toward the camp.

Golightly said when they arrived, they (Golightly, Steven Cox and Walsh) saw Booker pinned up against the tree (Golightly said the tree was right on the property line and it was a “close call” as to where it was) and his arm wrapped around the back of the tree. Golightly said there were several people around Booker and he started to tell them to let him go multiple times. He said they said to him, “you leave and we let him go”.

He also said he heard the “N word” a few times, but did not know specifically who said anything. He said he saw someone say, “leave the boy here, we will take care of him”. Golightly said he then began video recording with his phone. Golightly said he did not hear anything about a noose or a rope, but he thought others did hear that. Golightly thought the incident was “racially charged” and he could see the hate in their eyes. He also mentioned, “they had murder in their eyes”. He repeated similar language multiple times.

Case Number

INV2001061C

RMS LOGNUM 06-20-01606

Case Type

CRIM

Case DS 1.3 PAGE

IDNR LAW ENFORCEMENT

Case Data Sheet

Case Number

INV2001061C

Incident Log Number

06-20-01606

þ Criminal ¨ Admin ¨ OC/Narc ¨ IAU ¨ INTEL

Investigator:

Case Status

CLEARED BY ARREST

B8553

Comments / Narratives

WILLIAM G. BAKER JR.

Golightly later let Detective/Sgt. Goff download the video off his phone onto Detective/Sgt. Goff’s computer. He said he thought one of the guys was trying to break Booker’s arm. Golightly said he put his hand on the shoulder of the guy in the red shirt (Purdy) holding Booker and told him (Purdy) to let him go, and he (Purdy) complied.

Golightly did not see anyone strike Booker but said a few of them punched at him a couple of times. He later modified that, and said they were swiping at their phones to get them out of their hands. There were no direct punches, and Golightly said he did not get punched. Golightly said he thought besides himself, Booker and Steven Cox had videos on their phones.

I asked Golightly again what the tone was before Booker and Watkins walked up to the campsite immediately before the altercation. Golightly said Booker was calm, and said Booker stated that he “wasn’t scared of them because his family had been in Indiana for one hundred and seventy years and was used to people like that”. He also advised Booker stated that he “wanted to make his piece heard and calm things over for the rest of us”.

Golightly attempted to get Max (Walsh) to come in and talk with our Detectives (Although Walsh did not immediately come in, he did later that day and spoke with Detective/Sgt. Stinson). . Golightly went through the combination of videos that was posted online of the incident with our Detectives. He helped us identify which video he took, who Steven Cox was, who Ian Watkins was, and who Max (Fredrick Walsh) was in the videos. Golightly agreed to accompany Lt. Angie Goldman to the scene of the incident, to determine the exact location of the altercation.

Steven Cox Interview:

I interviewed Steven Cox at the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department. The interview occurred on July 7, 2020 at approximately 2:04 p.m. Cox was told the interview was voluntary and he was free to go. The interview was audio and video recorded.

Cox had prepared a written statement which he provided to me (A copy of that statement is attached and the original was provided to ICO Kinser). He said he prepared the statement on Sunday (July 5, 2020) morning.

Cox said he walked to Max’s campsite via the shoreline after being confronted by a person who he believed to be Sean Purdy on an ATV. He described an additional encounter on the beach area where he said Purdy was reluctant for him to pass through but ultimately did. He said during this encounter somebody started screaming “white power” but he could not identify who it was. He said it was a male but not Purdy. Again, this is summarized in the statement given to me by Steven Cox.

Once he got to Max’s campsite, he told this story, and said Booker said he wanted to talk with them (referring to Purdy’s group). He also said the other three present tried to discourage Booker from this. I asked Cox what Booker’s demeanor was prior to going to the campsite where the altercation took place. Booker said he was very calm, and then I asked Cox what he thought Booker’s purpose was for going up there. He said Booker was on the human rights commission and wanted to explain how hurtful that is and what that means. Cox felt that Booker thought he could educate them (Purdy’s group).

Cox said that Booker and Ian Watkins headed toward the beach where his encounter previously took place. Cox said he did not see the initial fight or scuffle that lead to Booker being pinned against the tree, but when he

Case Number

INV2001061C

RMS LOGNUM 06-20-01606

Case Type

CRIM

Case DS 1.3 PAGE

IDNR LAW ENFORCEMENT

Case Data Sheet

Case Number

INV2001061C

Incident Log Number

þ Criminal ¨ Admin ¨ OC/Narc ¨ IAU ¨ INTEL

Investigator:

06-20-01606

Case Status

CLEARED BY ARREST

B8553

WILLIAM G. BAKER JR.

Comments / Narratives

arrived with Golightly and Max (Walsh) he saw Booker was pinned against a tree.

In his statement, Cox said some of the men had Booker down against the tree in a “choke hold” and had hold of his (Booker’s) hair. Cox demonstrated how they had him by holding his arm in a similar fashion. Cox said he heard specific comments about a rope and a noose but did not know who said them or the exact verbiage. He also heard “we are going to break his arm”.

While Booker was being held down against the tree, Cox did not hear any racial slurs but heard someone refer to Booker as “boy” multiple times. Cox was unsure how Booker got up but thought Golightly might have had something to do with it. Cox said he, Max, and Golightly had video of the incident. Cox said he also said he thought he had video of Booker at the tree, but somebody took his phone and that video was not there now. Steven Cox let me look at his video, photos and deleted photos/videos. There was one additional screen shot of a video that appeared to be relevant but the video was not there.

Cox later transferred a copy of the video to Detective/Sgt. Goff. Cox’s video was not taken at the tree where the main altercation took place, but started as they were walking off the property and Booker was no longer being held down. Cox also said Max (Walsh) later said he had no video of the incident. Cox attributed that to Max (Walsh) being easily intimidated, and people in the other group (Purdy’s) were trying to take the phone out of his (Walsh’s) hand. Cox also had communication with Max (Walsh) and facilitated Max coming in to talk with Detective/Sgt. Stinson.

Attachments:
Digital Folder: Brennan Golighty Videocontaining 1 file:

Golightly Video.mp4

Digital Folder: Court Documents and Search Warrant info containing 6 files: AFFIDAVIT FOR PROBABLE CAUSE Monroe Reservoir.doc Amended Search Warrant for Watkins cell phone Jul 7, Doc 1.pdf Bailey call to JUDGE to amend Watkins cell phone search warrant.wav Fredrick M. Walsh Phone Search Warrant.pdf

Search warrant copy Booker Medical Records from IU HEALTH.pdf Watkins phone chain of custody.pdf

Digital Folder: Dispatch Call Audio containing 2 files: Booker Call to central dispatch 1.wav Booker Call to central dispatch 2.wav

Case Number

INV2001061C

RMS LOGNUM 06-20-01606

Case Type

CRIM

Case DS 1.3 PAGE

Case Number

IDNR LAW ENFORCEMENT

Case Data Sheet

INV2001061C

Incident Log Number

06-20-01606

þ Criminal ¨ Admin ¨ OC/Narc ¨ IAU ¨ INTEL

Investigator:

B8553

WILLIAM G. BAKER JR.

Case Status

CLEARED BY ARREST

Comments / Narratives

Digital Folder: Interview of Fredrick Max Walshcontaining 8 files: 2 data.xml

200707_WalshInt1pt1.mp3 200707_WalshInt1pt2.mp3 200709_WalshInt2.mp3 200710_Walsh_phone.mp3 data.xml

Interview Room 1_07-09-2020_47144 Walsh.wmv Interview Room 2_07-07-2020_54291 Max Walsh.wmv

Digital Folder: Interview of Ian Chercocontaining 3 files: Cherco Attorney Telephone Conversation.WMA Ian Cherco Message left.WMA
Ian Cherco Telephone call.WMA

Digital Folder:Interview of James Millscontaining 5 files:
Subfolder named: Video Interview of James Millscontaining 60 items James Mills Interview.WMA
James Mills Message left.WMA
James Mills Telephone call 1.WMA
James Mills Telephone call 2.WMA

Digital Folder: Interview of Jared Coxcontaining 2 files:
Subfolder named: Video Interview of Jared Coxcontaining 52 items Audio Interview of Jared Cox 200709_0134.MP3

Case Number

INV2001061C

RMS LOGNUM 06-20-01606

Case Type

CRIM

Case DS 1.3 PAGE

IDNR LAW ENFORCEMENT

Case Data Sheet

Case Number

INV2001061C

Incident Log Number

þ Criminal ¨ Admin ¨ OC/Narc ¨ IAU ¨ INTEL

06-20-01606

Investigator:

B8553

WILLIAM G. BAKER JR.

Case Status

CLEARED BY ARREST

Comments / Narratives

Digital Folder: Interview of Sara Lipshutz containing 2 files: 200709_SaraLipshutzInt.mp3
Interview Room 1_07-09-2020_66474 Sara Lipshutz.wmv

Digital Folder: Interview of Sean Purdycontaining 2 files: 200706_003 audio from Sean Purdy Interview.mp3 Room 1_07-06-2020_70484v Sean Purdy Interview.wmv

Digital Folder: Interview of Steven Coxcontaining 9 files: 200707_004 audio from steven Cox.mp3 200707_005 audio 2 from steven cox interview.mp3 200707_006 audio 3 from steven Cox Interview.mp3 200707_007 audio 4 from steven cox interview.mp3 data.xml

Goff audio of short phone conversation with Steven Cox WS500941.WMA Interview Room 1_07-07-2020_50602 Steven Cox.wmv iRecordPlayer.exe
Written Statement of Steven Cox.pdf

Digital Folder: Interviews of Ian Watkinscontaining 6 files: 200707_IanWatkins_porch (1).mp3 200708_IanWatkinsIntpt1.mp3 200708_IanWatkinsIntpt2.mp3

data.xml
Interview Reenactment with Ian Watkins on July 10, 2020 200710_001.MP3 Interview Room 1_07-08-2020_57519 Ian Watkins.wmv

Case Number

INV2001061C

RMS LOGNUM 06-20-01606

Case Type

CRIM

Case DS 1.3 PAGE

IDNR LAW ENFORCEMENT

Case Data Sheet

Case Number

INV2001061C

Incident Log Number

þ Criminal ¨ Admin ¨ OC/Narc ¨ IAU ¨ INTEL

06-20-01606

Investigator:

B8553

WILLIAM G. BAKER JR.

Case Status

CLEARED BY ARREST

Comments / Narratives

Digital Folder: McCord Property containing 2 files: map of McCord property.png

McCord property gate photo.jpg

Digital Folder: Miscellaneous Additional Filescontaining 10 files: 200708_MadelynnWatkinsPhonereturn.mp3

Goff Lat.Long of screenshot from Steve Cox video.png
Goff Screenshot from Steve Cox video w metadata pic SC.png
IanWaktins911callattempt.jpg
Screenshot of phone in Ian Watkin’s hand.PNG
Tree located by Golightly Photo(1).jpg
Tree located by Golightly Photo(2).jpg
Tree located by Golightly Photo(3).jpg
Tree located by Golightly Screenshot(1).PNG
Video documentation of Bloomington resident Vauhxx Booker being attacked July 4 2020.mp4 Youtube Video links.docx

Digital Folder: Photos of actual tree as seen in video containing 4 files: Actual tree photo(1).jpg

Actual tree photo(2).jpg
Actual tree photo(3).jpg
Actual tree screenshot(4).PNG

Digital Folder: Photos of Jerry Cox containing 6 files: Jerry Cox photo face.JPG

Jerry Cox photo Right eye (2).JPG Jerry Cox photo right eye.JPG

Case Number

INV2001061C

RMS LOGNUM 06-20-01606

Case Type

CRIM

Case DS 1.3 PAGE

IDNR LAW ENFORCEMENT

Case Data Sheet

Case Number

INV2001061C

Incident Log Number

þ Criminal ¨ Admin ¨ OC/Narc ¨ IAU ¨ INTEL

Investigator:

06-20-01606

Case Status

CLEARED BY ARREST

B8553

WILLIAM G. BAKER JR.

Comments / Narratives

Jerry Cox photo right forehead.JPG Jerry Cox photo right hand side.JPG Jerry Cox photo right hand.JPG

Digital Folder: Photos of Sean Purdy containing 13 files: Purdy ab pain.JPG

purdy Chin 2.JPG
Purdy Chin 3.JPG
Purdy Chin 4.JPG
Purdy Chin.JPG
Purdy face.JPG
Purdy location of ab pain.JPG Purdy photo face front.JPG Purdy right ankle (2).JPG Purdy right ankle.JPG

Purdy right bicep (2).JPG Purdy right bicep.JPG Purdy Right Forearm.JPG

Digital Folder:Photos of Vauhxx Bookercontaining 13 files: Booker IU Health right elbow.JPG
Booker IU Health right knee.JPG
Booker Photo IU Health right side Face(5).JPG Booker scene photo back 2.JPG

Booker scene photo back.JPG
Booker scene photo close up face (7).JPG Booker scene photo front 2.JPG

Case Number

INV2001061C

RMS LOGNUM 06-20-01606

Case Type

CRIM

Case DS 1.3 PAGE

IDNR LAW ENFORCEMENT

Case Data Sheet

Case Number

INV2001061C

Incident Log Number

þ Criminal ¨ Admin ¨ OC/Narc ¨ IAU ¨ INTEL

Investigator:

06-20-01606

Case Status

CLEARED BY ARREST

B8553

WILLIAM G. BAKER JR.

Comments / Narratives

Booker scene photo front 3.JPG
Booker scene photo front.JPG
Booker scene photo knees left side (10).JPG Booker scene photo right knee (8).JPG Booker scene photo right knee close up.JPG Booker scene photo Right knee.JPG

Digital Folder: Vauhxx Booker IU Health Recordscontaining 3 files:
BOOKER, V CERT IU HEALTH.pdf consisting of 1 page
BOOKER, VAUHXX Diagnosis Sheet IU HEALTH.pdf consisting of 1 page BOOKER, VAUHXX RECORDS IU HEALTH.pdf consisting of 49 pages

Digital Folder: Vauhxx Booker videos containing 2 files: Booker phone video IMG_3803.MOV
Booker Video scene (1).3GP

Digital Folder: Videos from Steven Cox containing 2 files:
Steven Cox Phone video 20200704_234728000_iOS.MOV Steven Cox video Lake_Monroe_confrontation.mp4y

Copy of 06-20-01606
Digital Folder: Download of Ian Watkins Phone provided by FBI on 7/8/2020 Digital Folder: Images from Fredrick Walsh phone provided by FBI on 7/14/20

Motive: Unknown Modus Operandi: N/A

Case Number

INV2001061C

RMS LOGNUM 06-20-01606

Case Type

CRIM

Case DS 1.3 PAGE

IDNR LAW ENFORCEMENT

Case Data Sheet

Case Number

INV2001061C

Incident Log Number

06-20-01606

þ Criminal ¨ Admin ¨ OC/Narc ¨ IAU ¨ INTEL

Investigator:

Case Status

CLEARED BY ARREST

B8553

Comments / Narratives

WILLIAM G. BAKER JR.

Current Disposition: Cleared By Arrest

Case Number

INV2001061C

RMS LOGNUM 06-20-01606

Case Type

CRIM

Case DS 1.3 PAGE

IDNR LAW ENFORCEMENT

Case Data Sheet

Prepared By

W3461

KENNY WIREMAN

07/14/2020

Updated By

Case Number

INV2001061C

Incident Log Number

þ Criminal ¨ Admin ¨ OC/Narc ¨ IAU ¨ INTEL

Investigator:

06-20-01606

Case Status

CLEARED BY ARREST

B8553

Title

WILLIAM G. BAKER JR.

Comments / Narratives

Created on

Locked

Detective/Sgt. Kenny Wireman

07/10/2020

Updated on

C3048

Approved By

Approved Date

07/14/2020

Approved þ

C3048

JOHN CANNARELLA

Supplement:

On 7/9/20, I, Detective Sergeant Kenny Wireman, Indiana Conservation Officer, was asked by Det./Sgt. William Baker to assist on a case that he is currently working by conducting interviews on four individuals who may have been witnesses in the case. The four subjects were James Mills, Ian Cherico, ***JUVENILE*** and Jared Cox. I was provided with contact numbers for each of the subjects. I contacted each of them by telephone and made arrangements to meet at different times and locations. I was assisted with the interviews by Detective Sergeant Brian Kaser, Indiana Conservation Officer. Det./Sgt. Kaser interviewed Jared Cox. All interviews were audio Recorded. The interviews of James Mills and Jared Cox were also video recorded.

Ian Cherco contact:

I contacted Ian Cherco by cell phone at . I asked him if he was willing to meet with me and go over the details of the events that happened on Saturday, July 4 at Lake Monroe. Ian agreedto me at 3:45 at
the Noblesville Police Department, which was about a half mile from where he was working. I called Ian back a few minutes later to ask him if we could meet at the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department instead, and he did not answer. Approximately 40 minutes later, I received a call from an unknown number. The caller was a female who said that she was an attorney representing Ian Cherco, and that Ian would not be coming in for an interview. I asked if he would be available for an interview in the future, and she said that he would not. I asked her for her contact information so we could consult her, if we had any questions for Ian, and she said that she had already been threatened, so she was not giving out her name or number, and that Ian was not going to be available for questions. We ended the call.

James Mills Interview:

I contacted James Mills by cell phone at . James said that he would be getting off work sometime between 5:30 and 6:00 PM and he could meet after that. James said that he wanted to cooperate with us and get it done as soon as possible, so he said that he would try to leave work early and that if he was able to, he would call me. James called me a short time later and said that he was leaving work early, and was available to be interviewed. I arranged to meet James at the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department around 2:45 PM. James arrived on time, and I escorted him into an interview room to conduct the interview.

After getting James’ information, I asked him to tell me the details of the events that happened at Lake Monroe. James said that he had been camping on the private property owned by Caroline McCord’s father since Friday, July 3. James said that the first time that he knew anything was going on, is when he was sitting on a boat that they had just pulled up to the beach. He said that he was sitting in the boat with Jerry Cox,

Case Number

INV2001061C

RMS LOGNUM 06-20-01606

Case Type

CRIM

Case DS 1.3 PAGE

IDNR LAW ENFORCEMENT

Case Data Sheet

Case Number

INV2001061C

Incident Log Number

06-20-01606

þ Criminal ¨ Admin ¨ OC/Narc ¨ IAU ¨ INTEL

Investigator:

Case Status

CLEARED BY ARREST

B8553

Comments / Narratives

WILLIAM G. BAKER JR.

Sabrina Cox and Ian Cherco. They were planning on going back out on the boat, but they were waiting for Sean to join them. James said that as they were sitting there talking, they were approached by Vauhxx Booker. James said that Mr. Booker walked down the beach and stopped right in front of the boat. He said that Mr. Booker introduced himself and said that he was a council member, but James couldn’t remember the exact

title he used. James said that when Mr. Booker walked up and introduced himself, that it was the first time that he had seen or heard of Mr. Booker. He said that he had no contact with, or knowledge of Mr. Booker before this meeting. James said that Mr. Booker was saying that James couldn’t block his access of the beach, and couldn’t restrict his access to the DNR property. James said that he told Mr. Booker that he wasn’t restricting his access, and that he could go wherever he wanted. I confirmed with James that at the time this conversation took place, that both of them were on DNR (Leased from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers) property. James said that after he was speaking to Mr. Booker for about 4 or 5 minutes, that he looked up and saw Sean coming down the hill toward them. He said that Mr. Booker saw Sean and then turned and walked up the hill to meet him before he got down to the beach.

James said that while Mr. Booker was talking to him, he was very nice and had a conversational tone, but once he went up the hill and met Sean, Mr. Booker took a very aggressive stance with his fists cocked back,
like he was ready to fight. When the occupants of the boat saw that both Mr. Booker and Sean were taking aggressive stances, all of them exited the boat and went up the hill to the two men. James said that Jerry ran off the boat first, and he wasn’t sure when Ian Cherco and Sabrina left the boat, but he was the last one to get off the boat and go up the hill. James said that by the time he got up the hill, Mr. Booker had been pinned to the ground against the tree. James said that he got down on his hands and knees in front of Mr. Booker so he could talk to him. He said that he told Mr. Booker to look at him, and Mr. Booker looked up and made eye contact with him. James asked Mr. Booker if he was OK, and Mr. Booker replied “Yes I am, tell this guy to get off of me.”

James said that there were suddenly several people all around the area that he had never seen before, and he didn’t know where they came from. He said that having that many people around him made him very uncomfortable, and made him feel threatened, so he told Mr. Booker to hang on, and he went to talk to one person that he recognized as another camper in the area. He asked the man that he knew as “Max”, what was going on, and Max said that he did not know. James said that there were several more people there than the ones on the videos, and he started telling them to get back from the scene. James asked Max, “Is this what you wanted?” James said that he could see fear on Max’s face, and he said “No it isn’t.”

I stopped James at this point and asked him to clarify a few details for me. I asked if, when Mr. Booker went up the hill to meet Sean, if both of them were acting aggressively. James said that Sean took an aggressive stance after Mr. Booker took an aggressive stance toward him. James said that he never saw any punches get thrown. He heard stories after the incident that punches were thrown, but he didn’t see them. James said that he heard a lot of yelling. He said it was hard to make out specific voices through all of the screaming, but he heard someone yelling to let him up. He also heard Mr. Booker yelling “Let me up.”

I asked him who was holding Mr. Booker down, and James said that he was pretty sure that it was only Sean who was holding him down, and that no one else had their hands on Mr. Booker. I asked James if the people around were friends of Mr. Booker, and he said that he thought they were. He said that there may have been one passerby that was there by chance that took a video with his phone. James said that he saw the man recording, but he was holding his phone down by his side so it wasn’t so obvious that he was recording. James said that his video gave a better idea of how many people were there at the scene. James estimated

Case Number

INV2001061C

RMS LOGNUM 06-20-01606

Case Type

CRIM

Case DS 1.3 PAGE

IDNR LAW ENFORCEMENT

Case Data Sheet

Case Number

INV2001061C

Incident Log Number

06-20-01606

þ Criminal ¨ Admin ¨ OC/Narc ¨ IAU ¨ INTEL

Investigator:

Case Status

CLEARED BY ARREST

B8553

Comments / Narratives

WILLIAM G. BAKER JR.

that there were 6 or 7 people that he didn’t know. James said that the man looked like a hiker and gave me a description of him, and was later able to identify him in a video that we watched on my phone. I will go into more detail on the man later in this report.

After clarifying those details, I asked James to pick the story back up from when Mr. Booker was still being pinned to the ground. He said after he told people to get back, that they started to disperse back into the woods. At this point, Mr. Booker was still being held down, and there were other people 5 to 10 feet away yelling at them. He said for a few minutes, they were yelling at the people gathered to get back out of the area. When the people around finally backed up, James felt safe enough to try to get Mr. Booker back on his feet. James said that Sean let Mr. Booker up, and Mr. Booker looked distraught as he collected himself and walked back over to his group of friends.

James said that they told the group to walk to their campsite by a trail that would be the shortest route. James said that as Mr. Booker and his friends walked back toward their campsite, both groups kind of walked together in the same direction. James said that while they were walking, there were a lot of people taking cell phone videos, and there was also a lot of antagonizing from Mr. Booker and his friends. He said that there was also some yelling from his group, and he wished that they hadn’t been yelling. He said that his group stopped when they reached the property line between the property they were staying on and the DNR property.

James said at this point, one of the main guys from the other group that had been recording video stopped recording and began antagonizing James. The guy called James a “racist son of a bitch, you deserve to die, burn in hell.” James said that he was saying these things in a low voice so it couldn’t be picked up by the phones that were taking videos. James said that he replied by thumping his chest with his fist and saying “I’m from Atlanta.” I asked James what he meant by that, and he said that he didn’t really know, and that he said it because Atlanta has a mostly black population. James said that he is not from Atlanta. James said that they stopped at the property line, and both groups went their separate ways. James said that he did not see Mr. Booker again after that. He said that the only time he ever saw Mr. Booker was during the incident that he just described. He said that he heard that Mr. Booker and Sean had spoken earlier in the day, but he was on the boat, and did not know if that actually happened or not.

I wanted to make sure that I had all of the details correct, so I walked back through James’ statement with him and asked a few follow up questions. James reiterated that he did not see anyone involved in the incident, throw a punch. He said that he heard about some punches being thrown later, and saw a mark on Jerry’s face along with some dirt, like he had been hit and knocked to the ground. James said that when he got to the top of the hill, Sean was holding Mr. Booker down by himself, and Jerry was yelling at the other people who had gathered around. James said that he didn’t know when Jerry got the marks on the side of his head, and that he didn’t see it happen. James said that he was sure that no punches were thrown after he got to the top of the hill.

James said, that when Sean let Mr. Booker up, Mr. Booker looked distraught and disoriented. He said that Mr. Booker didn’t act aggressively or say anything to them for a while, until they were all walking toward the property line. As they walked toward the property line, James said that Mr. Booker pulled out his phone and started recording and antagonizing the group. I asked what Mr. Booker said, and James said that Mr. Booker called them racist, but couldn’t remember exactly what else was said. He did remember Mr. Booker antagonizing Jerry and trying to get Jerry to call him the “N Word” by saying “Call me what you really want to call me. Call me what you really want to call me.” James said that he never heard anyone from either side say the “N Word”. James also said that he never heard anyone say anything about lynching anyone from either

Case Number

INV2001061C

RMS LOGNUM 06-20-01606

Case Type

CRIM

Case DS 1.3 PAGE

IDNR LAW ENFORCEMENT

Case Data Sheet

Case Number

INV2001061C

Incident Log Number

06-20-01606

þ Criminal ¨ Admin ¨ OC/Narc ¨ IAU ¨ INTEL

Investigator:

Case Status

CLEARED BY ARREST

B8553

Comments / Narratives

WILLIAM G. BAKER JR.

side.

I asked if Mr. Booker had ever spoken to Caroline McCord. James said that the only time he saw them talk, was at the very end of the entire altercation. James said that Caroline did not come down the hill with Sean, and didn’t come to the scene of the incident until after he was already there. I confirmed with James that he had a very clear view of Mr. Booker and Sean when the altercation started, and Caroline was not there. James said that he was not aware of an altercation at any time between Mr. Booker and Caroline McCord. James said that he thought Caroline went to talk to Mr. Booker to try to de-escalate the situation, and definitely was not there to be a problem. James said that he was too far away from them to hear what was said between the two. I asked James if he had heard about an earlier altercation between Mr. Booker and Caroline, and he said that he had not. He had heard that Sean had talked to Mr. Booker, but it wasn’t an altercation, that Sean had simply asked Mr. Booker to stop walking across the private property and find another way down to the beach. Mr. Booker complied.

James said that as the groups separated, Ian Cherco and Jerry kept yelling at Mr. Booker and his group as they were leaving. He said that they had a lot to drink, and they were intoxicated. James said that he was planning to drive the boat later that day, so he hadn’t drank very much. He said that he thought he had drank about a beer an hour, and would be somewhere right around the legal limit to operate a boat. James said that he didn’t know exactly how much they had to drink, and it didn’t appear to him like Mr. Booker had been drinking at all. James said that his group went back to the beach and stayed there until the DNR showed up and started talking to them.

I asked what kinds of things that Ian and Jerry were yelling at the group, and James said that they were yelling, to “get back, leave us alone, fuck you.” I asked if anyone yelled or said anything that could be considered racist, and James said no, and that he was proud of his friends for not yelling anything racially charged. I asked if anyone had yelled anything earlier in the day that was racist toward anyone, and James said that he did not hear any racist remarks. I asked James several more times throughout the remainder of the interview if he heard anyone say any racist remarks or shout “White Power” to anyone passing by the camp, and he said that he did not hear anything like that. He said that Jerry had a hat that had a confederate flag on it, but he said that the hat wasn’t even there when the altercation occurred.

th
I asked James to describe the hiker that he had seen that took the 4 video. He said that he looked like an

average hiker. He had on a backpack, khakis and a hat with a brim that goes all the way around. James said that he looked uncomfortable being there, and he looked like he just wanted to get away. James was later able to point out the man in a video of the incident I found online. He was wearing grey shorts, and green shirt, sandals, a black backpack and the hat with the brim all the way around. James did not know the guy or his name.

James said that a Conservation Officer came to the beach the day before to answer their questions about people coming across the property. James said that the Officer said that the boundary lines should be marked, and he could put up “no trespassing” signs to attempt to keep people out. She also said that if something happens on the DNR property to call the Conservation Officers, but if it happens on his private property, that they would have to call the sheriff’s department.

I took out my phone and brought up the website Bloomingtonian.com. The website had the four videos labeled Video 1, Video 2, Video 3 and Video 4. We watched each one and James told me what was going on in

Case Number

INV2001061C

RMS LOGNUM 06-20-01606

Case Type

CRIM

Case DS 1.3 PAGE

IDNR LAW ENFORCEMENT

Case Data Sheet

Case Number

INV2001061C

Incident Log Number

þ Criminal ¨ Admin ¨ OC/Narc ¨ IAU ¨ INTEL

06-20-01606

Investigator:

B8553

WILLIAM G. BAKER JR.

Case Status

CLEARED BY ARREST

Comments / Narratives

each of them.

Video 1showed Mr. Booker being held to the ground.

Video 2 showed a glimpse of the hiker that was passing by that took the 4th video. It also contains audio of Jerry calling Mr. Booker’s group “liberal fucks.”

Video 3 showed a member of Mr. Booker’s party antagonizing James and calling him names. It also contains audio of Mr. Booker telling Jerry to “Call me what you really want to call me.” Toward the end of the video, you can hear the word “Power” being said. You can hear in the audio that it is Caroline saying “Abuse of Power.” She was saying that Mr. Booker was abusing his power of being a city council member by coming there and coming on to their property.

Video 4 was taken by the hiker, who was wearing grey shorts and a green shirt with sandals, a backpack and the hat. The audio catches Jerry calling Mr. Booker a “Nappy headed Bitch.”

All of the videos showed people yelling from both sides. James said that he wished his side wouldn’t have yelled like that. I reconfirmed that James didn’t see any punches get thrown, and he didn’t hear any racial slurs said by either side. James also said that he did not see any altercation between Caroline and Mr. Booker.

I ended the interview and walked James to his truck. ***JUVENILE*** Interview:

Det. Sgt. Kaser and I interviewed ***JUVENILE*** at her residence located at ***JUVENILE***, so she had her father present during the interview, and had him fill out a juvenile waiver of rights form before the interview.

***JUVENILE*** said that she and Jared, her boyfriend arrived at the lake around noon on theth4of July. She said that they unloaded the boat and were on the water for about 4 or 5 hours. She said that after the boat ride, they pulled up on the beach and sat there and talked for a while. She said that the group on the boat consisted of her, Jared Cox, Sabrina Cox, Jerry Cox and Ian Cherco. ***JUVENILE***said that they talked for a while, and then she went with Jared up to the camper to cook dinner. She said that they cooked steak on the grill, and then ate inside. ***JUVENILE*** said that they were there for about an hour, and then she came outside and saw Sabrina Cox crying. She tried to ask what the matter was, but she was sobbing and couldn’t speak. ***JUVENILE*** said that she walked with Sabrina back down to the beach, and when they got there, everyone else was sitting around, very quiet, and most were crying. She said that they were talking amongst themselves quietly, and she pieced together what happened a little bit, but no one told her the whole story. She said that shortly after she got to the beach, the DNR came.

***JUVENILE*** said that after the DNR left, they all went back to the camper and went to bed. ***JUVENILE*** said that if anyone talked about what had happened, she wasn’t paying enough attention to tell what went on. ***JUVENILE*** said that she did not see any altercations between anyone while she was there. She said that she didn’t hear anyone yelling racial slurs or using racially charged language while she was there. ***JUVENILE***said that she had never seen Mr. Booker.

Case Number

INV2001061C

RMS LOGNUM 06-20-01606

Case Type

CRIM

Case DS 1.3 PAGE

IDNR LAW ENFORCEMENT

Case Data Sheet

Case Number

INV2001061C

Incident Log Number

þ Criminal ¨ Admin ¨ OC/Narc ¨ IAU ¨ INTEL

Investigator:

06-20-01606

Case Status

CLEARED BY ARREST

B8553

End of Supplement

Title

WILLIAM G. BAKER JR.

Comments / Narratives

Detective/Sgt. Aaron Mullet

Created on

07/10/2020

Locked

Prepared By

Updated on

Updated By

C3048

M4269

AARON MULLET

07/14/2020

Approved By

Approved Date

Approved þ

C3048

JOHN CANNARELLA

07/14/2020

Supplement:

On July 10th, 2020, I, Detective Sergeant Aaron Mullet, Indiana Conservation Officer, assisted with this investigation. I reviewed Facebook Posts and comments using open source internet usage. I accessed the public account of Vauhxx Rush Booker and reviewed his post from Sunday, July 5th, 2020. During this Facebook post, Booker claims that he “…was almost victim of an attempted lynching”on July 4th, 2020.

At the time I viewed the post on this date, there appeared to be over 61,300 Comments and 244,000 shares of the same.

I submitted a request to Facebook, Inc. to preserve the account communications and information for the account

Also on this same date, I aggregated files and created a list of all investigation attachments as collected and compiled by Indiana Conservation Officers. This master case file was preserved on the Agency Network I-Drive and a copy was placed on an external hard drive for submission to the Monroe County Prosecutor’s Office to accompany the investigation reports.

Case Number

INV2001061C

RMS LOGNUM 06-20-01606

Case Type

CRIM

Case DS 1.3 PAGE

IDNR LAW ENFORCEMENT

Case Data Sheet

Prepared By

WILLIAM G. BAKER JR.

07/14/2020

Updated By

Case Number

INV2001061C

Incident Log Number

06-20-01606

þ Criminal ¨ Admin ¨ OC/Narc ¨ IAU ¨ INTEL

Investigator:

Case Status

CLEARED BY ARREST

B8553

Comments / Narratives

Title

WILLIAM G. BAKER JR.

Created on

Locked

Detective/Sgt. Kyle Goff

07/10/2020

Updated on

B8553

C3048

Approved By

Approved Date

Approved þ

C3048

JOHN CANNARELLA

07/14/2020

Supplement:

***JUVENILE*** & Caroline McCord Interview:

On July 6th 2020 I, Detective Sgt. (DS) Kyle D. Goff, Indiana Conservation Officer, interviewed ***JUVENILE*** and her mother Caroline McCord at the Morgan County Sheriff’s Department on video. I inquired about their involvement with the incident that occurred on land adjacent to Lake Monroe on Julyth42020. Ms. McCord advised she was camping on her father’s property next to the lake with her daughter, ***JUVENILE***, and her boyfriend Sean Purdy. Ms. McCord advised Seann and his friend “Bubba” (Jerry Cox) had their campers on her family’s property. Ms. McCord stated there were also tents and boats present as well.

***JUVENILE*** indicated that on July 4th, 2020, she and her friends had been swimming and she observed two subjects walking nearby. I asked her to describe the subjects. ***JUVENILE*** stated they were roughly in their twenties or thirties and that one was African American and one was white. ***JUVENILE*** said they came out of the trees toward the beach. Ms. McCord added the two men would have had to come through her father’s property. I asked Ms. McCord who the men were. Ms. McCord indicated she knew one person was named Booker, and didn’t know who the other person was. Ms. McCord’s daughter, ***JUVENILE*** identified Mr. Booker as the African American person. They both indicated the unknown white subject, that was with Mr. Booker, wasn’t really involved.

***JUVENILE*** stated that the African American person walked up to the boat and said he was a county commissioner and had gotten complaints that they were screaming racial slurs at boats. ***JUVENILE*** adamantly denied this, and stated that it wasn’t true. ***JUVENILE*** explained her mother, Ms. McCord, asked Mr. Booker if he was “on duty.” He replied he was always on duty. Ms. McCord then stated Mr. Booker said, “Well you guys are on private property.” Ms. McCord stated he mentioned the property was owned by a McCord. Ms. McCord replied that she was a McCord. Mr. Booker then told her he needed to talk to her. Ms. McCord stated he told her he was a county commissioner but didn’t provide his name. Ms. McCord explained that Mr. Booker came up to her and stated, “Do you know how many fines I can charge you for?” Ms. McCord replied that she didn’t know what she could be charged for. Ms. McCord stated he told her he was the county commissioner, and indicated that he could charge her for all kinds of different things. Ms. McCord told him to charge the fines and asked “him” to leave. Ms. McCord stated Mr. Booker got too aggressive for her and got in her face pointing at her. Ms. McCord indicated that he stated, “I’m going to make your life miserable. I could put all these fines on your land and you won’t even know what to do.”

Ms. McCord stated that she thought Sean pushed Mr. Booker back. Ms. McCord and her daughter both indicated that Sean never punched Mr. Booker. Ms. McCord and her daughter explained that after Sean pushed Mr. Booker back, Mr. Booker punched Sean in the face/chin three times in their presence. Ms. McCord described her boyfriend, Sean Purdy, as the subject in the video, wearing a red shirt holding Mr. Booker against the tree.

Case Number

INV2001061C

RMS LOGNUM 06-20-01606

Case Type

CRIM

Case DS 1.3 PAGE

IDNR LAW ENFORCEMENT

Case Data Sheet

Case Number

INV2001061C

Incident Log Number

06-20-01606

þ Criminal ¨ Admin ¨ OC/Narc ¨ IAU ¨ INTEL

Investigator:

Case Status

CLEARED BY ARREST

B8553

Comments / Narratives

WILLIAM G. BAKER JR.

Ms. McCord stated she thought what happened next, was that Sean’s friend Bubba, saw Sean Purdy getting punched, so he approached. Ms. McCord said that Booker then punched Bubba as well. They explained Bubba’s real name was Jerry. Ms. McCord said that while Sean held Mr. Booker, someone requested they call the police. Ms. McCord was adamant that Sean was holding Mr. Booker, until the police could come. Ms. McCord explained that she then walked up the hill, and met two of Mr. Booker’s friends. Ms. McCord stated that they were very nice, and asked her to help them get Mr. Booker out of there. Ms. McCord stated that she then asked Sean to let Mr. Booker go, so Mr. Booker’s friends could take him away.

***JUVENILE*** spoke up and stated that Mr. Booker hit Sean, so then Bubba came over, and claimed Mr. Booker hit Bubba. ***JUVENILE*** said Bubba was then bleeding from the forehead. They explained that Bubba was essentially only trying to help his friend Sean. I asked them both where that incident occurred. They were adamant everyone was on their family’s land (McCord). I asked if Sean ever punched Mr. Booker back. They both explained that they didn’t think Sean ever hit Mr. Booker. ***JUVENILE*** later stated that the incident occurred around 7p.m.

I asked about their alcohol consumption during the day. Ms. McCord explained she had consumed a couple of beers during the day, and added that her daughter ***JUVENILE*** didn’t consume any alcohol.

***JUVENILE*** indicated that earlier in the day she saw Mr. Booker riding with Sean on an off-road vehicle on the McCord property.

I asked if they heard anyone say any racial slurs or heard the word lynching. They both indicated they did not hear anything like that all weekend. They explained after the incident, Bubba made a comment about the subject being a nappy haired female dog. ***JUVENILE*** stated she thought Bubba might have said “the N word” but claimed if he did, it was once and would have been well after the incident.

Ms. McCord stated that one of Mr. Booker’s friends approached her and claimed to have asked Mr. Booker not to go down there several times. The unknown subject claimed Mr. Booker does this quite often and provokes situations.

At the end of the interview, I asked Ms. McCord to elaborate on the details that Mr. Booker said to her when he first approached. Ms. McCord stated that she felt intimidated and threatened. Ms. McCord told Mr. Booker that he was threatening her,and encouraged him to go ahead and charge them fines and leave. ***JUVENILE*** more specifically stated Mr. Booker kept saying he was going to “slap so many fines.”

Interview with ***JUVENILE*** (Sean’s ***JUVENILE***):

On July 6th 2020 I, Det. Sgt. Kyle D. Goff interviewed ***JUVENILE*** at the Morgan County Sheriff’s Department on video. ***JUVENILE*** explained that Sean Purdy is her father, who is dating Caroline McCord. ***JUVENILE*** stated she and her father Sean drove to Caroline’s property on Thursday July 2nd 2020, to camp for several days. ***JUVENILE*** explained that roughly midday on Saturday July 4th 2020, she observed her father (Sean Purdy) briefly talk with an African American person and one of his friends. The subjects then loaded onto her father’s off-road vehicle and he essentially returned them to their camp. ***JUVENILE*** noted that the African American sat in the front seat of the vehicle during that encounter.

Case Number

INV2001061C

RMS LOGNUM 06-20-01606

Case Type

CRIM

Case DS 1.3 PAGE

IDNR LAW ENFORCEMENT

Case Data Sheet

Prepared By

WILLIAM G. BAKER JR.

07/14/2020

Updated By

Case Number

INV2001061C

Incident Log Number

06-20-01606

þ Criminal ¨ Admin ¨ OC/Narc ¨ IAU ¨ INTEL

Investigator:

Case Status

CLEARED BY ARREST

B8553

Comments / Narratives

Title

WILLIAM G. BAKER JR.

Created on

Locked

Detective/Lt. John Cannarella

07/10/2020

Updated on

B8553

C3048

Approved By

Approved Date

Approved þ

C3048

JOHN CANNARELLA

07/14/2020

Supplement:

Jerry E. “Bubba” Cox II Interview

On July 6th, 2020 around 7 pm I, Detective/Lt. John Cannarella, Indiana Conservation Officer, conducted an interview of Jerry E. “Bubba” Cox II at the Morgan County Sheriff’s Department located in Martinsville, Indiana. It should be noted that Mr. Cox volunteered to come to the Sheriff’s Department to be interviewed about an incident that occurred near Lake Monroe on July 4th, 2020. At no time was Mr. Cox behind any locked doors or not free to leave before, during, or after his interview.

Mr. Cox stated that he had gone down to Lake Monroe on the morning of Julyth4, 2020 to camp and had come from his home in Danville, Indiana, with his wife (Sabrina), son (Jared-18), and son’s girlfriend ***JUVENILE***. Mr. Cox says that they had previously placed a camper on the McCord property earlier in the year and it was this camper they camped in. Caroline McCord’s father owns the property and Caroline’s boyfriend is Sean Purdy and Purdy is also Mr. Cox’s boss. Mr. Cox said that he and his family had permission to be on the McCord property from Caroline McCord. Sean Purdy has been Mr. Cox’s boss and friend for over 15 years and the type of work they do together is masonry.

th
Mr. Cox said that several of them had been out on the lake in boats most of that July 4 day. He stated that

himself and several others in his family had just come in from being on the lake all afternoon, and were sitting in the boat at the shoreline near their camp. Mr. Cox, Sabrina, Jimmy Mills, and several others were sitting in their boats drinking when they observed Vauhxx Booker come up and begin talking with Caroline McCord and Sean Purdy, up above the shoreline. Mr. Cox said that he could hear Mr. Booker talking about Sean Purdy’s Confederate Flag hat that he was wearing that day. Mr. Cox said that the next thing he saw was Sean Purdy and Vauhxx Booker “rolling around in the bushes.” Mr. Cox states at that point he ran over to that location to “get things settled” and got Mr. Booker stood up, and that’s when he said Mr. Booker punched him in the face. Mr. Cox said that he punched Mr. Booker back after he was punched and further stated that his right hand was hurting him pretty bad the next day. Mr. Cox said that he believed he punched Mr. Booker “a couple times.” Mr. Cox said that after that, they told Mr. Booker to just leave and get out of the area. Mr. Cox stated that he knew that we had seen the video and that he said some things that he shouldn’t have said.

Mr. Cox had a noticeable black eye and stated that his black eye was from Mr. Booker punching him in his face and further advised that when Mr. Booker punched him, it knocked him to the ground. Mr. Cox further describes the initial conversation between Caroline McCord and Mr. Booker, and that Mr. Booker was “getting mad” as he was talking with Ms. McCord and because she was the property owner, he just let them talk and didn’t get involved until it got physical between Mr. Purdy and Mr. Booker.

Mr. Cox said that he observed Mr. Booker “being a dick” when he was talking to Caroline McCord which was prior to the physical altercation between Mr. Booker and Mr. Purdy. Mr. Cox described Mr. Booker as a “big

Case Number

INV2001061C

RMS LOGNUM 06-20-01606

Case Type

CRIM

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IDNR LAW ENFORCEMENT

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Case Number

INV2001061C

Incident Log Number

06-20-01606

þ Criminal ¨ Admin ¨ OC/Narc ¨ IAU ¨ INTEL

Investigator:

Case Status

CLEARED BY ARREST

B8553

Comments / Narratives

WILLIAM G. BAKER JR.

black dude, light skinned” and was unable to further describe him other than that. Mr. Cox did advise that he remembered when Mr. Booker was talking to Caroline McCord, he said he was with the county and that he was going to “fine them.” Mr. Cox did not know if the conversation and the fight occurred on private property or public property.

Mr. Cox said that he did not really “remember greatly” exactly how everything happened once the fight started. Mr. Cox again described that he was punched in the right eye by Mr. Booker’s left fist which caused him to go down to the ground and caused a cut on the right side of his forehead. He again described for me, that he hit Mr. Booker twice with his right fist. No one else from Mr. Cox’s group jumped into the fight according to Mr. Cox. Mr. Cox stated that the video of Mr. Booker being pinned up against a tree by Mr. Purdy was taken before Mr. Booker punched him in the face.

Mr. Cox denies that anyone including himself ever stated “get the rope” or “get a noose” or anything similar to that. Mr. Cox again affirms that the video of Mr. Booker being pinned up against the tree was after the initial physical altercation between Mr. Purdy and Mr. Booker but before Mr. Booker punched him in the eye. Mr. Cox says that he was pretty sure that he hit Mr. Booker twice in the face.

Mr. Cox was questioned about the other videos that showed a lot of his comments and anger towards Mr. Booker. Mr. Cox said the reason he was so angry was because Mr. Booker punched him in the face and also because of some things he had said during the incident. Mr. Cox commented that “you could clearly see in the video that he wanted me to call him the ‘N’ word” and that Mr. Booker said “just do it, just do it, you know you want to.” Mr. Cox stated that he called Mr. Booker a “nappy headed bitch” and he said that he was sorry about that. Mr. Cox said that Mr. Booker wasn’t trying to resolve things and was making things worse. He further stated that he had never met Mr. Booker before, but he had heard about the meeting that Mr. Booker and Mr. Purdy had earlier in the day, when he was escorted off the McCord property for trespassing.

Mr. Cox said there was no predisposition on anyone’s part to do Mr. Booker any harm and he further denied that any of their actions against Mr. Booker were “racially motivated.” Mr. Cox said that he was not aware of any previous interactions between his group and Mr. Booker’s group. Mr. Cox does remember knocking down someone’s phone who was trying to record the altercation. He also said that he had started drinking that day and had probably consumed a “12 pack” that day. Mr. Cox said that he “had a good buzz.”

Mr. Cox said that he had trouble watching the videos that were posted online, and claimed that he has not watched the whole video(s) that had been posted online. Mr. Cox believes that Mr. Booker wanted what happened to happen that day, and that it was a “set up” on Mr. Booker’s part. The only injuries that Mr. Cox said he sustained that day were his black eye, cut on his forehead, and his sore hand from punching Mr. Booker.

Mr. Cox was again asked about the tree pinning video and Mr. Cox again affirms that Mr. Booker was already pinned up against the tree by Mr. Purdy when he ran up the hill to help with breaking up the fight between Mr. Purdy and Mr. Booker. Mr. Cox was not able to answer what he thought caused Mr. Booker to punch him in the face, after he was let up from being pinned against the tree. Mr. Cox then said that he tried to separate Mr. Booker and Mr. Purdy and that was when Mr. Booker punched him. Mr. Cox said that was the best he could remember as to how exactly the events unfolded.

Case Number

INV2001061C

RMS LOGNUM 06-20-01606

Case Type

CRIM

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IDNR LAW ENFORCEMENT

Case Data Sheet

Prepared By

TRENT STINSON

07/14/2020

Updated By

Case Number

INV2001061C

Incident Log Number

06-20-01606

þ Criminal ¨ Admin ¨ OC/Narc ¨ IAU ¨ INTEL

Investigator:

Case Status

CLEARED BY ARREST

B8553

Comments / Narratives

Title

WILLIAM G. BAKER JR.

Created on

Locked

Detective/Sgt. Trent Stinson

07/10/2020

Updated on

S2306

C3048

Approved By

Approved Date

Approved þ

C3048

JOHN CANNARELLA

07/14/2020

Supplement:

Frederick (Max) Walsh Interview:

On 7/7/20 at 3:05 pm, I Detective Sergeant Trent Stinson, Indiana Conservation Officer, interviewed Frederick (Max) Walsh at the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department. The interview was audio and video recorded. I told Walsh the interview was voluntary and he was free to leave at any time.

l Walsh said he went out the day before (July 3rd) to the campsite to do final preparations to watch the lunar eclipse with friends. He accessed the campsite by kayak. Walsh described the group when he first saw them as “hooting and hollering” and “severely intoxicated” and said he was trying to avoid them. When I asked him to explain why he was trying to avoid them, he said, “There was obviously an energy I didn’t want as close to the campsite I had already intended to stay at. I knew it was going to affect our evening the next day when people came out.”
l Walsh said he didn’t expect the other group to be out there so he contacted everyone and warned them to take the public beach and be respectful. He said he warned people that there were “good ole boys” out there that might try to intimidate or harass you. If they do, just tell them you’re passing through to get to the Hoosier National Forest.
l Walsh said on July 3, 2020 the people from the other group came into his campsite on their ATV. He described Purdy as wearing a black shirt that day with ‘security’ printed on it and also wore a cowboy hat with a confederate flag on it. He felt intimidated and harassed during their conversation. He said they stayed for at least half an hour. He said they demanded beer and insisted Walsh have a beer with them. They also insisted Walsh take a ‘Trump – Pence cozy’ and drink his beer from it. Walsh also said he heard them say “White Power” between sentences in a strange way, as if to recruit him. He said the interaction shook him up.
l Walsh said for decades the property known as the McCord property has been treated as public. Walsh said that it was obvious that it was only an issue due to the color of Booker’s skin.
l I asked him to tell me about how Vauhxx first comes out to the campsite. Walsh said he was told the day before he (Booker) would be attending. Walsh said he “gave him the details and told him where to walk.” He said Booker expressed his own concerns about coming into the woods and wanted to know what he needed to prepare for. Walsh said he had trouble finding where they were camping so naturally just took the shaded path. Walsh said he first saw Ian (Watkins) when they finally arrived to the camp. They saw that Ian was noticeably shaken about the first interaction on the way to the site. Walsh went to the campsite and discussed what happened on the way in. Walsh remembered them saying that

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RMS LOGNUM 06-20-01606

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INV2001061C

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þ Criminal ¨ Admin ¨ OC/Narc ¨ IAU ¨ INTEL

Investigator:

Case Status

CLEARED BY ARREST

B8553

Comments / Narratives

WILLIAM G. BAKER JR.

there was subtle intimidation towards the two. He said the group followed Booker and Watkins up to the camp. He said he didn’t recall many details though.

l Walsh said Booker was initially not going to react to the initial interaction. He said what changed the situation was the arrival of Steve Cox. Walsh said Cox appeared to be walking in deep thought not aware of the campsite. He described Cox as visibly shaken up. He said Cox explained to the group that he had been harassed and extorted on his walk up. He had also heard the group say “white power.” Walsh said Vauhxx felt it was his duty as a human rights commissioner to talk to the other group and try to talk some logical sense into the group so that people of color feel safe there. Walsh said he begged him not to go over there because he knew the other group’s intentions were to do harm. Walsh said he was in tears asking him not to go and spent five to ten minutes talking him out of it.
l Walsh said Ian walked down with Vauhxx initially. After a few minutes, Brennan, Steven, and Walsh decided to go down also to make sure nothing bad happened. He said they were expecting the worst. About halfway to the other site, Walsh said Brennan asked them to stop and listen because they heard screaming and dogs. They ran to the site.
l Walsh said he remembered seeing a woman trying to stop their approach, and a group of people surrounding Vauhxx. He said the scene was hectic, and all his attention was on Vauhxx. He remembered getting a view of Vauhxx’s face, and how calm Vauhxx was. He said it appeared they were choking him, and he understood that Steven’s phone had videoed it, but the group took Steven’s phone and deleted it. Walsh did not see Vauhxx fight back.
l Walsh remembers hearing the word noose, and trying to get his camera out. He said the “big wrestler dude” threatened to harm him if he tried to video, so he put it away. Walsh said he recorded the aftermath and the exchange with the DNR officers.
l I asked him to describe the calling for a noose incident. He said he heard someone call for a rope. Then, he described the guy in the red shirt, looking him in the eye, and changing the language from rope to noose. Walsh heard him say “go get a noose” several times. I asked Walsh if he thought the comment was just for intimidation purposes, or if it was a legit threat. Walsh said both. He thought they would have enjoyed killing a black person. He did not see the person that the guy was giving the instruction to.
l Walsh said he returned to the site prior to our interview, and found the tree. He said it looked to be about fifty feet from the water’s edge.
l Walsh said after hearing the noose comment, everyone decided to get their phones out to record. He said, then Brennan was able to pull one or two of the guys off of Vauhxx and Vauhxx was able to stand up. He said the scene started to calm down after that, and he was doing everything he could to get his crew down to the water. He said they forced them into the woods. He said they demanded them to go through the private property so they could kill them he thought.
l He said as soon as they got to the camp, they called 911. Walsh said he was disappointed at first, because he didn’t like dealing with all of it. But he understands now, it is a serious thing. He said

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INV2001061C

RMS LOGNUM 06-20-01606

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INV2001061C

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þ Criminal ¨ Admin ¨ OC/Narc ¨ IAU ¨ INTEL

06-20-01606

Investigator:

B8553

WILLIAM G. BAKER JR.

Case Status

CLEARED BY ARREST

Comments / Narratives

Vauhxx was on the phone for a long time. He instructed the camp to pack up because they weren’t safe there. He said the guys were going to potentially sneak into camp, in the middle of the night, and murder them.

l He said he was disgusted with how much he thought the DNR tried to downplay the seriousness of the assault. He said the DNR didn’t ask if they were okay, address their safety, or even believe what they claimed to have happened. Walsh said he made some very strong claims to the DNR as to what he perceived and they refused to arrest the perpetrators. He thought an arrest should have been made then, because the assault was so drastic. I asked if anyone was injured. He said, “Absolutely, we were all injured.” I asked about Vauhxx’s injuries. He said Vauhxx had “a considerable amount of swelling and bruising, it’s hard to see on a black person.” He said the injuries that really stood out were on his knees and lots of little scratches all around.

l Walsh said Vauhxx let him take him to the hospital. He said, lately Vauhxx has been complaining about his head and neck. Walsh said Vauhxx was injured, but took hits like a champ. I asked if Walsh saw Vauhxx get struck. He said no, as far as he understood, it was before he got down there. I asked if Vauhxx tried to defend himself, or was able to get any strikes in. Walsh said, maybe for a brief moment, before he was drug into submission.

l I asked if Walsh could show me any locations or video on his phone. He said he is not technologically savvy. I told him we had people that could help there, and he said no. He told me there is evidence on his phone that he does not feel comfortable to share with anyone. Walsh said, “When it’s time.”

After a brief break, I gave Walsh my phone number and we ended the sixty four minute interview.

Ian Watkins initial interview and phone seizure:
On 7/7/20, I saw that ICO Kinser had obtained a search warrant through Monroe County Circuit (Cause number: 53CO5-2007-MC-001103) to seize and search a black cell phone held by Ian Watkins. At around 7:19 pm, ICO Cpl. Brian Bailey observed Watkins sitting on the porch of his sister’s apartment complex

I saw Watkins holding his phone sitting in a chair. I activated an audio voice recorder and approached Watkins on foot. I identified myself as a Conservation Officer and showed

Watkins my identification. He confirmed he was Ian Watkins. I told Watkins he was not in any trouble and asked if he was willing to cooperate. He said he was. Watkins placed his phone down on the right arm of the chair near me. I took possession of the phone and told Ian that we had a search warrant to seize and search his phone. ICO Detective Sgt. Steve Kinne read Watkins the original warrant.

We saw the warrant was for an Apple iPhone, and Watkin’s phone was not that brand. Cpl. Bailey contacted the court and informed me that the judge had amended the warrant to read a black ‘cell phone’ instead of the original language listed as a black ‘Apple iPhone.’ I gave Waktins a receipt for the phone and we made arrangements for me to contact Madelynn Watkins (Ian’s sister) to pick up the phone when it had been imaged. Madelynn was also present on the porch during a portion of our conversation.

While waiting for Cpl. Bailey to talk to the judge, I asked Watkins if he could tell me his account of what had

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INV2001061C

RMS LOGNUM 06-20-01606

Case Type

CRIM

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IDNR LAW ENFORCEMENT

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Case Number

INV2001061C

Incident Log Number

06-20-01606

þ Criminal ¨ Admin ¨ OC/Narc ¨ IAU ¨ INTEL

Investigator:

Case Status

CLEARED BY ARREST

B8553

Comments / Narratives

WILLIAM G. BAKER JR.

happened, since we had not been able to contact him since the night of the initial incident.

l Watkins told me Vauhxx was his friend and a victim. Watkins told me he was also hit by one of the men. When Vauhxx was pinned against the tree, he attempted to pull a man off of Vauhxx, who then struck him.
l Watkins said prior to the video the men that attacked Vauhxx were shouting racist comments. He said that they were blocking campers on the beach asking them to pay a toll and give them money, beer, or weed. He was asked directly if he heard the group say “white power”, and he said no, that Steve (Cox) heard that and had told them about it.
l Watkins said Vauhxx was offended by what Cox had heard and was going to confront the men about it. He said Walsh and him attempted to talk Vauhxx out of it. Watkins said that he told Vauhxx that they may be racist and drunk and that he is black and Vauhxx insisted that he was going to go start a dialog with them to see if they could come to an understanding.
l Watkins told me they approached the group on the beach and couldn’t hear the conversation. He described Vauhxx as having a mild voice tone having his hands in his pockets. He said Vauhxx never acted out of line.
l Watkins said the other party began to shout at Vauhxx so Vauhxx turned to walk away. At that point, the man in the confederate flag hat and red cutoff shirt pushed Vauhxx from behind. He said Vauhxx then turned around, and the man in the red shirt punched Vauhxx in the face. The four other friends then rushed in and took him to the ground and against the tree.
l Watkins said Vauhxx did not really fight back, but the five guys were punching and kicking him on the ground. He said they were also yelling racial slurs while he was on the ground. He talked about being struck again and shoved to the ground. Watkins said he was told to “get the fuck out of here or I’m going to fuck you up.”
l Watkins said at that point he sees his other friends coming. Watkins said before the video starts, the man in the red shirt had Vauhxx pinned against the tree with Vauhxx’s arm behind him and holding him by the hair. He said, that is when the men told them to “Leave the boy and get the hell out.” He said they told him that they would “Keep the boy.” He then described the man in the red shirt saying “get a noose.” He said the men threatened to break Vauhxx’s arm if they didn’t leave.
l Watkins said they asked the men to let Vauhxx go, and got their phones out to take video. The men eventually did. After they let him go, they followed Watkins and the others back to their campsite, yelling racial slurs and threatening to punch their lights out. Watkins said they were called “liberal fags.” He said that about five minutes after being separated, Vauhxx called the DNR.
l He reiterated that he witnessed the entire event except for the “white power” slur that predicated the incident.
l Watkins said he knew there was a lot of social media backlash directed towards the DNR officers, and

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INV2001061C

RMS LOGNUM 06-20-01606

Case Type

CRIM

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IDNR LAW ENFORCEMENT

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Case Number

INV2001061C

Incident Log Number

06-20-01606

þ Criminal ¨ Admin ¨ OC/Narc ¨ IAU ¨ INTEL

Investigator:

Case Status

CLEARED BY ARREST

B8553

Comments / Narratives

WILLIAM G. BAKER JR.

he did not feel it was appropriate. He did feel that the men should have been arrested at the scene, but understood, and that the DNR, in general, was not to blame.

The phone was transferred to the FBI field office at 8:52 pm.
On 7/8/20 at 8:46 am, I took possession of the phone back from the FBI.

I reviewed the contents of the phone on the disc provided to me and transferred it to ICO Kinser.

At 11:05 am, I met with Madelynn Watkins at the Monroe County sheriff’s office and returned the phone to her. I audio recorded our meeting and we spoke briefly about Ian coming to give a video recorded interview.

I texted Ian’s phone at 2:41 pm asking if he was still planning on meeting me that afternoon. He responded and told me he would meet me at 4 o’clock, and we arranged to meet at the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.

Ian Watkins Interview:

On 7/8/2020, around 15:58, I interviewed Ian Watkins at the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office. The interview was audio and video recorded. I told Watkins he was free to go at any point. I asked Watkins to go through chronologically and explain what had happened.

l Watkins explained that Max had organized an event to watch the lunar eclipse and camp. He said Vauhxx and him decided to car pool down to the site.
l Watkins said Max had sent Vauhxx a Facebook message that he had talked to the owner about a shortcut, instead of walking along the beach, which was a longer trip. Watkins was under the impression they (Max) had gotten permission for them to walk through the private property.
l He said he saw the man with the red cutoff shirt and the confederate flag cowboy hat while walking through the property. He said they waved and the man gave them a funny look. He followed them on an ATV for a minute, and then pulled alongside the two, and told them they were trespassing on private property. Watkins explained that they thought they had permission to take the shortcut. The man said he was the owner of the land, and the two did not have permission to be there.
l Watkins said they were turned off that the man was wearing a confederate flag hat. He said Vauhxx offered him one of his beers, and they went to the campsite as quickly as possible.
l Watkins said Steven arrived at the campsite later and said while walking up the same shortcut, he was stopped by the same man. Steven told them, that the man told him, he had to pay a toll and asked for beer or weed or something in trade. Steven then said, he’d just walk the beach path instead. Steven told them he saw a boat at the beach, where they were partying. He said Steven told the group, that one of the men was shouting white power repeatedly at boats passing by. Watkins said the group was upset by all of this, and especially Vauhxx, being a black man. Vauhxx wanted to have a conversation to open a dialog with the men. He thought he could try to relate with the group. Watkins said Max and him were very worried that the men were large, had been drinking, and had confederate flags which led

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INV2001061C

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06-20-01606

þ Criminal ¨ Admin ¨ OC/Narc ¨ IAU ¨ INTEL

Investigator:

Case Status

CLEARED BY ARREST

B8553

Comments / Narratives

WILLIAM G. BAKER JR.

them to believe the guys were probably racist. He said Vauhxx was determined to go down there. Watkins followed him just to keep an eye on the situation.

l Watkins said he walked down the same path through the woods, to get to the beach, where the guys were. Vauhxx walked up to the boat, and Watkins said he (Watkins) was about twenty feet away from Vauhxx. Watkins said Vauhxx had his hands in his pocket. He said Vauhxx was directly talking to the man in the red cutoff shirt, but was addressing all of the men. He described Vauhxx as about four feet from the boat, and the man in the red shirt was in the front of the boat. He said the two were about six feet apart.
l Watkins said he didn’t hear the conversation, but Vauhxx never once raised his voice or removed his hands from his pocket. He said Vauhxx was not being confrontational, but he noticed the men appearing to scoff and get annoyed judging by their body language. He thought Vauhxx was getting the impression that the dialog wasn’t going anywhere. He said Vauhxx turned around and walked away. He said he made it about twenty feet when the man in the red shirt jumped off the boat and began to demonstrate the same body language. He said the man then approached Vauhxx from behind shoving him. Watkins said Vauhxx turned around and the man punched Vauhxx in the face. Vauhxx stayed on his feet during the shove. He thought the man probably punched with his left arm. He thought the punch knocked Vauhxx to the ground, and four additional men ran up to Vauhxx on the ground. Watkins was about ten feet away at the time. He said within thirty seconds, the men had wrestled Vuahxx to the tree and had him pinned up against it.
l Watkins said all five of the men began punching and kicking Vauhxx at this point. He yelled at them to let Vauhxx go. He tried to pull one of the men off. He described the man he tried to pull off as the one in the video making the “nappy headed bitch” comments. Watkins said that man turned around and punched him in the forehead and shoved him to the ground twice. He said, “If you don’t get the fuck out of here, I’m going to fuck you up too.”
l Watkins tried to get them to let Vauhxx go, so they could leave. He said they referred to Vauhxx as “the boy” and said they were going to keep him there and they wanted Watkins to leave.
l Watkins then sees Max, Brennan and Steven walking down the hill towards them. He waved at them to come down, and the three ran to them. He describes the same man as trying to hold them back.
l Watkins said at that point he heard the man in the red shirt yell, “get a noose.” I asked if he saw anyone act on that. He didn’t notice anyone leave to get a rope. He said he didn’t’ know if the threats were for intimidation or they actually wanted to kill him, but “the idea was obviously entertaining to them.”
l Watkins said at that point Brennan, Max, and Steven all pulled out their phones to take video. He described the man in the red shirt having Vauhxx’s arm pinned back and holding him by the hair. He said he threw a couple more punches to the back of Vauhxx’s head or to his back. He said one of the men suggested to break his arm. He corrected himself and said that comment was before the video cameras were out.
l Watkins described the breaking arm comments in further detail. He said the other men were

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INV2001061C

Incident Log Number

06-20-01606

þ Criminal ¨ Admin ¨ OC/Narc ¨ IAU ¨ INTEL

Investigator:

Case Status

CLEARED BY ARREST

B8553

Comments / Narratives

WILLIAM G. BAKER JR.

encouraging the man in the red shirt to break his arm.

l Watkins said Vauhxx wasn’t doing anything at this point. Watkins said Vauhxx was conscious, but didn’t say a word.
l Watkins said Brennan was able to get in past the guy holding them back, and get the man in the red shirt to let Vauhxx go. Watkins said, as soon as Vauhxx was free, the group started walking away quickly, towards the path they had come in. He described the group as continuing to be harassing and intimidating with their words and gestures.
l I asked, if at any point, Watkins had his phone out. He said no and said the group had tried to take phones away, no one had their phone ever taken away successfully.
l He said the woman in the bikini helped convince the men to leave them alone, and eventually they did. He said as soon as the group returned to the campsite, Vauhxx called 911. Watkins did not see any blood on Vauhxx, but said, he was sure he had a lot of bruises on his back.
l Watkins said he was fearful of the group after the altercation. He said they decided, that they didn’t feel comfortable staying there anymore. They wanted to leave, but were still waiting for the police to arrive.
l Watkins then spoke about the interaction with the police, after the incident, and the disagreement the group had with their interpretation of the evidence. They also expressed their concern about the danger the other group may pose to the public. He said the officers gave them a ride back to their vehicles to avoid any further interaction with the group.
l We took a break and discussed a little further afterwards.
l Watkins told me he had his phone out and had tried to call 911 at one point. He showed me his call

th
history. I saw and photographed his call log. I noticed a failed call on July 4, at 7:43 pm to 911,

consistent with his account.

l We clarified a few more details.
l I asked if he told the officers at the scene that he was struck in the head. He said initially he was trying to avoid any involvement. He said he didn’t say very much at all to them.
l I asked if Vauhxx ever showed the officers his back. Watkins didn’t think he did. I asked why, and he said he thought Vauhxx was frustrated and felt he was not being heard.
l I asked about how long they had Vauhxx on the ground. He said probably a minute, and he saw a few more strikes thrown during the rest of the confrontation.
l I asked about the timeframe of how long he was held against the tree. Watkins said he thought it was around five or six minutes. He described the men having Vauhxx’s left arm pinned behind him. He said he thought he tried to call 911 right after they let Vauhxx go from the tree. Watkins finalized by calling it a terrifying event and saying he was in fear of Vauhxx being mortally injured or killed. He expressed he

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INV2001061C

Incident Log Number

06-20-01606

þ Criminal ¨ Admin ¨ OC/Narc ¨ IAU ¨ INTEL

Investigator:

Case Status

CLEARED BY ARREST

B8553

Comments / Narratives

WILLIAM G. BAKER JR.

was scared for his own safety also.
We then ended the sixty two minute conversation.

On 7/8/20, I attended a meeting with the Monroe County Prosecutor’s Office regarding the format they wished to receive any probable cause affidavits from our investigation.

On 7/8/20, I was informed that a warrant to seize and search Walsh’s cell phone had been approved by the court. I called Walsh at 6:54 pm to arrange to meet and discuss this with him. I left him a voice mail, but the call was not returned. I texted him at 7:10 pm. Walsh did not respond to the text. At around 7:36 pm, ICO Detective Sgt. Steve Kinne and I went to Walsh’s residence to attempt to contact him. We rang the bell at the gate. After about eight minutes, I could see movement through a gap in the fenced entrance. I called out to Max if he was okay. He spoke through the fence, saying now was not a good time, and he would meet me the following day (7/9/20) in the afternoon. I asked him what time, and he said to just contact him after noon.

On 7/9/20, at 12:11 pm, I received a text from Max Walsh saying that he would be available soon. We arranged to meet again at the sheriff’s office at 1 pm.

Frederick (Max) Walsh second interview:

At 1:05 pm, I saw Max outside and walked with him into the recorded interview room. I reminded him again it was a recorded interview room and he was free to go at any time.

l I asked Walsh about the event. He said he decided to plan the event a couple days prior. He said he created a private event on Facebook.com and invited “quite a lot” of people. He later estimated around one hundred and fifty.
l Walsh said the property they were on, was a property he has been interested in for a while, because it’s been for sale. He said he’s been trying to convince people he knows to collectively purchase it. He later said it’s been for sale for fifteen years.
l I asked if anyone out there was not invited. He said only Vauhxx’s friend (Ian Watkins) but it was okay for people to bring a friend with them.
l He said there were three (later four) other people there besides the original five at the scene of the altercation. He said he just contacts them through Facebook and said he’d like to ask the others there, prior to giving me their names or contact information.
l I asked about his relationship with the other people that showed up at the event. He said he’s been hanging out with Brennan and considered him a close friend. He said he met Vauhxx in the fall of last year, at a party for another friend. He said he didn’t think he had seen Vauhxx since and didn’t communicate regularly with him. This is the first one of his events Vauhxx had come to, since the original one. He knew Steven through his photography on Facebook. He said he was very selective with the people he invites into his life. He said the others were 2 ladies, one of which is involved in the

Case Number

INV2001061C

RMS LOGNUM 06-20-01606

Case Type

CRIM

Case DS 1.3 PAGE

IDNR LAW ENFORCEMENT

Case Data Sheet

Case Number

INV2001061C

Incident Log Number

06-20-01606

þ Criminal ¨ Admin ¨ OC/Narc ¨ IAU ¨ INTEL

Investigator:

Case Status

CLEARED BY ARREST

B8553

Comments / Narratives

WILLIAM G. BAKER JR.

project to acquire the land.

l I asked him if another reason for the event, was to draw awareness to the property. Walsh said, “Exactly, that was the idea.” He clarified that it wasn’t to be on their property or use it, more so just to show how great the woods and lake are.
l I asked about the instruction he gave in his invite. One of his routes was to use the road through the private property. He has never seen anyone on the property other than kids just hanging out. He said he emphasized people to use the beach, but it is a more natural route to take the road.
l He said he communicated a warning, on his Facebook events page, that these people he had encountered, felt intimidating to him and they may try to harass you, if they feel bored. He said he warned them to be super respectful and if encountered, just to tell them you are passing through to the Hoosier National Forest. He said he encouraged them to take the beach to the campsite.
l He said, immediately after the assault, he posted for people to not come out, and shortly afterwards, he deleted the event out of worry that more people would go to the campsite.
l I asked how his relationship has been with the group since the event. He said he hasn’t had contact with the periphery people but described the other relationships since, as weird, and said he didn’t want to necessarily get into it. He said they have been spending time together, and going through similar trauma. They are trying to determine why this happened, and what can be done about it.
l I explained to Walsh the importance of us obtaining the raw data and information from his phone. I asked him if there was a way we can take the information from his phone. Walsh said he did not have his phone on him. He said he would email it to me. He said he only had two videos and they were only of the officers after the altercation. He said he would consider bringing his phone back in for the data transfer.
l I explained about the importance of us gathering information for the investigation. I asked him when he would email the video, he has, to me. He said he would do his best to email me that afternoon, and text me when it was on the way. That email was never received.

We ended the twenty four minute conversation.

Walsh later contacted me by text and provided me with first names and phone numbers for Christina Tanier-Gesner, Kimberly Hahn, and Sara Lipshutz.

Christina Tanier-Gesner Interview:

On 7/9/20 at 14:51 hours, I interviewed Christina Tanier-Gesner at the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department. The interview was audio and video recorded.

l Tanier-Gesner said she was good friends with Max Walsh and had been invited to his event to watch

Case Number

INV2001061C

RMS LOGNUM 06-20-01606

Case Type

CRIM

Case DS 1.3 PAGE

IDNR LAW ENFORCEMENT

Case Data Sheet

Case Number

INV2001061C

Incident Log Number

06-20-01606

þ Criminal ¨ Admin ¨ OC/Narc ¨ IAU ¨ INTEL

Investigator:

Case Status

CLEARED BY ARREST

B8553

Comments / Narratives

WILLIAM G. BAKER JR.

the lunar eclipse. She said she was also at the campsite the day before.

l Tanier-Gesner described the day before as arriving at 3:15 pm with her two children. She said they walked thought the “Zoom-Flume” property as they walked towards the campsite. She said she interacted with the people on the private property, but they just waved and it seemed friendly.
l Tanier-Gesner said when she got to the campsite, Walsh was talking to the men on the ATV, including one with a confederate flag cowboy hat. She said they were all drinking beer. She said the conversation seemed friendly, but she kept her social distancing. She said Walsh appeared happy to see her, and thought he was uncomfortable with the men being there.
l Tanier-Gesner said that Walsh relayed to her second hand, that the men had wanted to shake his hand and wanted him to take a Trump 2020 can cooler. She said that Walsh had offered to walk her back to her car, when she was ready to leave, after being at the site a few hours. Tanier-Gesner said she declined the offer.
l Tanier-Gesner returned to the site on July 4th around 3:15pm. She entered the site by the beach path to avoid the private land that time. She left the site around 7:00 pm after Ian and Vauhxx had arrived at the site. She said that Ian appeared visibly shaken after talking to the group initially. She said Vauhxx said he was uncomfortable also.
l Walsh escorted Tanier-Gesner back to her vehicle around 7:00 pm. She said Ian had walked with them part of the way, and they did not have any contact with the other group.
l Tanier-Gesner was not at the site when the altercation occurred between the two parties. Tanier-Gesner went home to watch fireworks with her children. Tanier-Gesner said she was familiar with the event page Walsh had made and recalled that he posted for them to walk around the beach area, but she did not remember when it was posted.

We ended the twenty two minute interview.

Kimberly Hahn Interview:

On 7/9/20 at around 5:28 pm I met with Kimberly Hahn at the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office to interview her about the incident on July 4th, 2020. I video and audio recorded the interview.

l Hahn said Walsh is her neighbor and was invited via the Facebook event. She arrived at the event around 8:30 pm. and began towards the campsite through the McCord property.
l One of the women called out to her and asked if she knew she was on private property. Hahn had thought they had permission to pass through the property. She asked how she should access the campsite. The woman told her she should go by the lake, but her friends were being a little aggressive so she offered to walk Hahn through the property. As they walked they talked about the incident that had just occurred.
l Hahn said she told her that someone from Hahn’s group came over and started a “black and white”

Case Number

INV2001061C

RMS LOGNUM 06-20-01606

Case Type

CRIM

Case DS 1.3 PAGE

IDNR LAW ENFORCEMENT

Case Data Sheet

Case Number

INV2001061C

Incident Log Number

06-20-01606

þ Criminal ¨ Admin ¨ OC/Narc ¨ IAU ¨ INTEL

Investigator:

Case Status

CLEARED BY ARREST

B8553

Comments / Narratives

WILLIAM G. BAKER JR.

thing and the woman said she wasn’t a “black and white” person. Hahn asked who started it, and the woman was upset and told her, “You guess.” She didn’t give her any more specific information.

l When Hahn arrived to the site, her friends described the event as an attack. She said the DNR officer was there when she arrived.
l Hahn talked with Ian and he told her a summary of the incident describing it to her, as he had described it to me, in the Ian’s interview. She talked about her interaction with the DNR officers afterwards also. Hahn said some of the bystanders and the DNR officers were in disagreement as to if the group was using reasonable force to protect their property. She said the DNR officers then gave them a ride back to their vehicles.
l Hahn described the woman she spoke to, as the one that is seen in the video, the most. She also described her access into the property in a further detail.

We then ended the nineteen minute interview.

Sara Lipshutz Interview:

On 7/9/20 at around 6:28 pm, I interviewed Sara Lipshutz at the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office. I video and audio recorded the interview. I told Lipshutz it was a voluntary interview and she was free to go at any time.

l Lipshutz told me she saw the Facebook event post that directed them to access the site from the public beach. She arrived with a male friend named Moses around 7 pm.
l They saw the beach was occupied by the other group, so just to avoid other people, they cut through the private property to access the site. She said she passed Ian and Vauhxx as they were walking to talk to the group on the beach.
l Lipshutz did not know if she passed them on the public or private land for sure. She said they greeted her, and told her they were going to talk to these people, but did not sense any tension.
l Once she arrived at the site, she heard about the tension. Lipshutz said that she became uncomfortable after hearing her group had heard such hateful language, since she is Jewish and her friend is not a U.S. citizen.
l Lipshutz said after pitching her tent, she heard yelling, but they did not feel safe going towards the yelling.
l I asked Lipshutz if she saw visible marks on Vauhxx when he returned. She said she did see a small mark on his face. She said Vauhxx did not discuss calling the police with anyone, and called very soon after returning to the site. Lipshutz and Moses then packed their campsite back up and left with the DNR officers.

Case Number

INV2001061C

RMS LOGNUM 06-20-01606

Case Type

CRIM

Case DS 1.3 PAGE

IDNR LAW ENFORCEMENT

Case Data Sheet

Case Number

INV2001061C

Incident Log Number

06-20-01606

þ Criminal ¨ Admin ¨ OC/Narc ¨ IAU ¨ INTEL

Investigator:

Case Status

CLEARED BY ARREST

B8553

Comments / Narratives

WILLIAM G. BAKER JR.

l She talked about Vauhxx showing his injures to the DNR and expressed that she didn’t think that there was enough consideration for the assault that had taken place.

We ended our twenty minute conversation.

On 7/10/20 at 9:29 am, Max Walsh called me. He spoke to me about four minutes expressing his displeasure that he heard a warrant was obtained to search his phone. I tried to explain the process to obtain a warrant but couldn’t answer his challenges to the probable cause for the warrant. He also expressed that he did not trust the DNR with that information.

I sent Walsh a text at 9:36 am asking if he would be willing to give the phone directly to the FBI if he was concerned. He did not reply to the text.

On 7/10/20 at 11:16 am, I sent a text to Ian Watkins asking if he was still interested in going to the site to show where things took place. He responded he was, and I shared his information with ICO Lt. Goldman to arrange to meet.

At 1:56 pm Walsh called me to tell me he was willing to deliver his phone to the FBI office but not until Monday morning at 9:30 am. I told him I would pass the information along to the officers in the area. I audio recorded the call.

There is no further from this officer at this time.

Case Number

INV2001061C

RMS LOGNUM 06-20-01606

Case Type

CRIM

Case DS 1.3 PAGE

IDNR LAW ENFORCEMENT

Case Data Sheet

Case Number

INV2001061C

Incident Log Number

06-20-01606

þ Criminal ¨ Admin ¨ OC/Narc ¨ IAU ¨ INTEL

Investigator:

Case Status

CLEARED BY ARREST

B8553

Comments / Narratives

Title

WILLIAM G. BAKER JR.

Detective/Sgt. Steve Kinne

Created on

Locked

07/10/2020

Prepared By

Updated on

Updated By

C3048

B8553

WILLIAM G. BAKER JR.

07/14/2020

Approved By

Approved Date

Approved þ

C3048

JOHN CANNARELLA

07/14/2020

Supplement:

On July 10th, 2020 at approximately 1220 hours I, Detective Sergeant Steve Kinne, Indiana Conservation Officer, met Lt. Goldman, Indiana Conservation Officer, and Ian Watkins, at the Cutright parking area on the southeast side of the S.R. 446 causeway near Monroe Reservoir. Ian Watkins was a witness to the Vauhxx Booker incident that occurred on July 4th, 2020. The intent of this meeting was to conduct a follow-up interview with Mr. Watkins about the Vauhxx Booker incident. This interview was audio recorded.

The following is a synopsis of this interview of certain pertinent information and is not intended to be verbatim or a transcript. For additional detailed information, refer to the audio recording.

After our arrival at the Cutright parking area, Lt. Goldman and I identified ourselves to Ian Watkins prior to this interview. Mr. Watkins then led us to the area where the incident of July 4th, 2020 occurred.

Ian Watkins claimed he initially became acquainted with Vauhxx Booker at the Black Lives Matter rally at the courthouse after the George Floyd murder. Mr. Watkins said they became friends and Mr. Booker
subsequently invited him to a July 4th, 2020 camp out. Mr. Watkins said Mr. Booker was invited to the camp out via Facebook by Max (Fredrick Maxwell Walsh). Mr. Watkins advised on the day of the camp out, he picked up Mr. Booker at his work and they rode together to the camp site. Mr. Watkins said they parked at the Cutright parking area near Monroe Reservoir. Mr Watkins said they arrived at the Cutright parking area at approximately 4:30 p.m. Mr. Watkins advised, he had never camped at that particular spot on the Hoosier National Forest before. Mr. Watkins said he and Mr. Booker were confused on the directions, on how to get from the parking area to the campsite on the Hoosier National Forest.

Mr. Booker called Max (Fredrick Maxwell Walsh) on the phone, and Max advised them that there was a shortcut path, if they basically follow the beach. Mr. Watkins said he and Mr. Booker got a little lost and turned around while on their way to the campsite. Mr. Watkins also said Max had told Vauhxx that there was a small spot of private property in the area, and that Max had been in contact with the owner of that private property, and had been in negotiations with them, to buy the private property. Mr. Watkins said Max gave them the impression that it was ok to cross the private property, in order to gain access to the campsite, on the Hoosier National Forest property.

th
Mr. Watkins then led Lt. Goldman and I on a trail that he claimed he and Mr. Booker followed on July 4, 2020,

to gain access to their campsite destination, on the Hoosier National Forest. This trail did cross the McCord property. Mr. Watkins advised that while he and Mr. Booker were crossing this private property they encountered a younger lady and a man who was wearing a Confederate flag hat who were standing near an ATV. The man in the Confederate flag hat was later identified as Sean Purdy. Mr. Watkins advised that he and Mr. Booker waved at Mr. Purdy and the young lady and they kept walking. Mr. Watkins advised that Mr. Purdy then approached him and Mr. Booker from behind on the ATV. Mr. Watkins said that Mr. Purdy advised them that they were trespassing on private property. Mr. Watkins said they explained that they were going to their

Case Number

INV2001061C

RMS LOGNUM 06-20-01606

Case Type

CRIM

Case DS 1.3 PAGE

IDNR LAW ENFORCEMENT

Case Data Sheet

Case Number

INV2001061C

Incident Log Number

06-20-01606

þ Criminal ¨ Admin ¨ OC/Narc ¨ IAU ¨ INTEL

Investigator:

Case Status

CLEARED BY ARREST

B8553

Comments / Narratives

WILLIAM G. BAKER JR.

friend Max’s campsite, and they thought that Max had talked to the landowner, and they thought they had permission to be there. Mr. Watkins said Mr. Purdy told them that he was the landowner, and he didn’t want them back there. Mr. Watkins said Mr. Purdy then advised them to hop into his ATV because he knew where Max was camped and he would drive them down there. Mr. Watkins continued to lead Lt. Goldman and me on the same path that the ATV took. Mr. Watkins said during this encounter, Mr. Purdy did not do anything aggressive nor did he say anything rude, but claimed, the combination of Mr. Purdy’s unfriendly demeanor and Confederate flag hat, made him uncomfortable.

Mr. Watkins said, sometime later that afternoon, Steven (Steven Cox) arrived at the campsite. Mr. Cox said, while on the way to the campsite, he heard the phrase “white power” being said by the people on the private property. Mr. Watkins said this troubled Mr. Booker, and he wanted to have a conversation with them about that type of speech. Mr. Watkins said both he and Max Walsh tried to talk Mr. Booker out of going back onto the private property and talking to the people there. Mr. Watkins said Mr. Booker decided to go anyway, in an attempt to “ease the tension” between the two parties. Mr. Watkins said that he didn’t think it was a good idea, but wanted to be there for his friend during this encounter. Mr. Watkins then led us on a path from the Hoosier National Forest property onto to the Mc Cord property. This is the same path Mr. Watkins claimed he and Mr.

th Booker took, just prior to their altercation with Mr. Purdy on July 4, 2020.

During the rest of the interview, Mr. Watkins led us through the altercation between his party and the party associated with the McCord property. Mr. Watkin’s statements were basically consistent with the interview he previously provided to Detective Sergeant Trent Stinson. See the attached recording of this interview and ICO Detective Sergeant Stinson’s report for further details.

Case Number

INV2001061C

RMS LOGNUM 06-20-01606

Case Type

CRIM

Case DS 1.3 PAGE

IDNR LAW ENFORCEMENT

06-20-01606

07/04/2020

CODE: INTERV

Incident Report Form

INVOLVED PERSONS INTERVIEWED

Name (Last, First, Middle)-Address PURDY, SEAN L

Li Comments

INTERVIEWED

Name (Last, First, Middle)-Address TANIER-GESNER, CHRISTINA L

Lin Comments

INTERVIEWED

Name (Last, First, Middle)-Address HAHN, KIMBERLY Y

Race Sex

Ethnic

Social Security Number

: INTERV

INTERV

Social Security Number

INTERV

WM0

Race

Race

INTERVIEWED

Race Sex

Li Comme ts

Name (Last, First, Middle)-Address LIPSHUTZ, SARA E

Li Comme ts

TERVIEWED

Name (Last, First, Middle)-Address “””*JUVENILE”””*

Link Comments

□

Age

a1r

Race Sex

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Approved On:

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PAGE 2

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Incident Report Form

INVOLVED PERSONS INTERVIEWED

Name (Last, First, Middle)-Address
WALSH, FREDERICK MAXWELL

Li Comments

INTERVIEWED

Name (Last, First, Middle)-Address COX, SABRINA C

Lin Comments

INTERVIEWED

Name (Last, First, Middle)-Address
MCCORD, CAROLINE TRAUB

Race Sex

06-20-01606

07/04/2020

CODE: INTERV

Ethnic

Social Security Number

: INTERV

INTERV

Social Security Number

INTERV

WM0

Juvenile □

Race

Li Comme ts

INTERVIEWED

Race

Name (Last, First, Middle)-Address COX, JERRY E II

Sex

Li Comme ts

TERVIEWED

Name (Last, First, Middle)-Address MILLS, JAMES L

Link Comments

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Approved On:

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PAGE 3

IDNR LAW ENFORCEMENT

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CODE: WIT

Incident Report Form

INVOLVED PERSONS WITNESS

Name (Last, First, Middle)-Address CHERCO, IAN J

Li Comments

WITNESS

Name (Last, First, Middle)-Address COX, JARED W

Lin Comments

WITNESS

Name (Last, First, Middle)-Address WATKINS, IAN A

Li Comme ts

WITNESS

Name (Last, First, Middle)-Address COX, STEVEN W

Li Comme ts

ITNESS

Name (Last, First, Middle)-Address GOLIGHTLY, BRENNAN J

Link Comments

Race Sex

Ethnic

Social Security Number

Race Sex

: WIT

Social Security Number

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CODE: WIT

Ethnic Social Security Number

CODE: WIT

Incident Report Form

INVOLVED PERSONS WITNESS

Name (Last, First, Middle) – Address “””*JUVENILE***

Link Comments

WITNESS

Age

a1r

Age

air

07/05/2020

Name (Last, First, Middle) – Address “”””””

□

Business Address

Race Sex

Ethnic

Social Security Number

*JUVENILE *

Link Comments

INVOLVEDBUSINESSES/ ORGANIZATIONS

Business / OrganiZation Name I
MONROE RESERVOIR • LAND (53 , 07)

4850 S STATE ROAD446

PAYNETOWN

BLOOMINGTON, IN 47401

Officer / ID /Ofer 3 / Ofer 41

K2704 I1

Phone 1

(812)837-9546

Involvement Comments

Phone 2

Phone 3

RESPONDING/ INVOLVED UNITS, OFFICERS, AND TIMES

�

Unit Number

617

612

Su�rvisor

Officer / ID /Ofer 1 / Ofer 21

KURTSTEVENKINSER

KALEY MCDONALD

M8262

617 DISP CLRD

612 DISP CLRD

I
20:15:58

00:19:05 20:15:30 20:17:01

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PAGE 5

Agencl£ Lognum

06-20-01606

IDNR LAW ENFORCEMENT

06-20-01606

07/04/2020

07/09/2020

Incident Report Form

COMMENTS/ NARRATIVES

riaeNARRATIVE
Narrative Created By/Created 01

07/0512020

Narrative Updated By/Update On

ANGIE JONES

2020 20:03:49

KAREN KRAMER-STRACHAN

Al)pOvedByIOn

Input: L4339 07/04/2020 20:01:10

Edite

MONROE CO…, VAUHXX, BOOKER.

ZOOM FLUM PROPERTY ACROSS FR

…RIGHT OFF OF SOUTHSIDE OF CAUSEWAY

…FOUR SUBJECTS WERE YELLING THINGS AT

CP AND THEN ATTACKED THEM…SAYS THAT HIS FRIEND HAS A VIDEO OF THE ATTACK..

Input:L4339 07/04/2020 20:03:24 Edited:L4339 07/04/202020:03:24

CALL WAS DROPPED WHILE CP WAS TRYING TO DESCRIBE LOCATION

Input: S6657 07/04/2020 20:06:41 Edited: S6657 07/04/2020 20:06:41

CP CALLED BACK HE IS AFRAID TO COME OUT OF THE WOODS HE IS ADVISING THAT THE PEOPLE THAT BEAT HIM UP ARE STILL THERE AND HE IS FEELING UNSAFE

Input: S6657 07/04/2020 20:10:30 Edited: S6657 07/04/2020 20:10:30

6 FT BLACK MALE WITH GREEN HAT AND YELLOW AND GRAY SHIRT KHAKI SHORTS..

Input: S 1038 07/04/2020 20:52:52 400 10-27 XS

Input: M0633 07/04/2020 21:27:13

400 10-27S JAMES L MILLS

II -· TREVER J CORIE

Input: S6657 07/04/2020 23:54:42

Edited: S1038 07/04/2020 20:52:58

Edited: M0633 07/04/2020 21:27:13

SEAN L PURDY�RINA A COX_, JERRY E COX , CAROLINE MC�

Edited: S6657 07/04/2020 23:54:42

400 10-27 WATKINS, IAN A- COX.STEVEN W- GOLIGHTLY.BRENNAN J-

lnput: S1038 07/04/2020 23:55:39 Edited: S1038 07/04/2020 23:55:39

10-27 BOOKER, VAUHXX R –

TYLER WITH MOON CO DIAP C�EY REC’D A CALL FROM IU HEALTH BLOOMINGTON ER REFERENCE A MALE SUB THAT WAS INVOLVED IN A ASSAULT ONE OF OUR ICO TOOK THE REPORT THEY JUST WANTED TO KNOW WHAT NEEDED TO BE DONE

TXED 617 TO ADV HE IS CLR AND WLL MAKE CONTACT WITH MON CO DIRECT 617 IS CLR AND WILL BE 10-76 TO IU HEALTH REF THIS CAD

IRF 1.6

‘lc1

06-20-01606 7/4/2020

Approved By: JASON ANDREW LEE � Approved On: 7/15/2020 4:01:35 PM

PAGE 6

IDNR LAW ENFORCEMENT

Incident Report Form

06-20-01606

07/04/2020

COMMENTS / NARRATIVES

Title

NARRATIVE

Narrative Created By / Created On

KURT STEVEN KINSER

07/05/2020

Narrative Updated By / Update On

ANGELA GOLDMAN

07/14/2020

Approved By / On

Details of Incident/Investigation:

On July 4th, 2020, at approximately 2010 hours, I, Indiana Conservation officer Kurt Kinser, was patrolling Monroe reservoir by boat with Major Tim Beaver when we received a call from central dispatch of a possible assault near the causeway at the old “Zoom flume” property. A male complainant, identified as Vauhxx Booker, advised that he was on the south side of the causeway at the “zoom flume” property when four subjects yelled at Mr. Booker and then assaulted him and that Mr. Booker’s friend had video of the assault. Dispatch advised Mr. Booker was a 6’00” black male wearing cargo shorts and a grey shirt. Dispatch also texted me Mr. Booker’s phone number. Major Beaver and I traveled east towards the dispatched location, traveling near the shoreline. I did not observe anybody matching the description of Mr. Booker. I continued towards the area until we arrived at the location of the possible assault and observed several individuals sitting along the shore line and an anchored boat.

I exited my patrol boat onto the shore. Several individuals both male and female were standing and sitting on the shore near the boat. I asked the individuals what had happened. One female subject, later identified as Sabrina Cox, was visibly upset and crying. The individuals advised that it was “no big deal” but would not advise any more information. I looked across the water to the east of the cove where I believed Mr. Booker to be waiting based on the information I had received. I did not see Mr. Booker at the time but did see more people and an off-road vehicle parked further into the woods. I walked into the woods towards the off-road vehicle searching for Mr. Booker. I did not see Mr. Booker but I did observe a male subject, later identified as Sean Purdy, sitting in the driver’s seat of the off-road vehicle wearing a red shirt and confederate flag cowboy style hat. I also observed a leather gun case in the back seat of the off-road vehicle and ammunition in the glove compartment. I observed no other weapons. I asked Mr. Purdy what had happened. He would not provide any information so I asked him to step out of the vehicle and walk down to the shoreline with the group so I could talk to the whole group together. Mr. Purdy advised that we were on private property. I advised him that I was aware it was private property but I was investigating a possible assault. I asked Mr. Purdy again to step out of the off-road vehicle. He eventually did and I escorted him to the location of the rest of the group. I advised Major Beaver of the possible firearm in the off-road vehicle and again asked the group what had happened. I was still provided no information. While asking the group for information I noticed a subject, later identified as Jeremy Cox II, had redness on the right side of his face and a small cut on the right side of his forehead. Mr. Cox made no complaints of injuries. I then called Mr. Booker to get his exact location. Mr. Booker advised that he was to the west of my location and sent me a “pin” of his location. The “pin” showed a location in the city of Bloomington. I again called Mr. Booker and got a more detailed description of his location. Major Beaver stayed with the individuals at the scene while I then took the boat to meet with Mr. Booker and located him several hundred yards west, down the shoreline.

I observed two male subjects standing along the shoreline, one of which was confirmed to be Mr. Booker. Mr. Booker appeared calm, his clothing was not disheveled or ripped and I did not see any obvious injuries. Mr. Booker advised that he and his party were at their campsite on Hoosier National Forest when another member

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of their group, later identified as Steven W. Cox, arrived and advised that a group of people yelled “white power” as he walked along the shoreline. Mr. Booker advised that Mr. Booker then went to talk to the group and tell them that more people were going to be coming through the area and to not yell at them. Mr. Booker advised that when he got there the group told him it was private property and that Mr. Booker had to leave. Mr. Booker then advised that when he turned around and started to leave, a male, later identified as Mr. Purdy, came up behind Mr. Booker and “took a swing” at Mr. Booker that missed. Mr. Booker told me he then pushed at Mr. Purdy and then Mr. Purdy got Mr. Booker on the ground and held him there. Then other people from Mr. Purdy’s group came up, surrounded Mr. Booker and would not let him up. Mr. Booker advised that they also struck him when he was on the ground, pulled his hair and were putting their weight on him with their legs. While I was speaking with Mr. Booker I observed a small scratch on his cheek but no other visible injuries. I asked Mr. Booker if he was injured and he replied that he had a headache. Mr. Booker then showed me a video on his phone of Mr. Booker being held down by Mr. Purdy with other members of the group surrounding him. Mr. Booker pointed at a time in the video and stated he was being struck then. I reviewed that portion of the video but did not observe any signs of Mr. Booker being struck. The location of the incident in the video appeared to be on or near the property which is commonly referred to as the “zoom flume”. The video showed other members of Mr. Purdy’s group telling Mr. Purdy to let Mr. Booker go and other members of Mr. Booker’s group saying that they just wanted to leave. Mr. Booker also showed me another video that happened after the first video he showed me. In the second video Mr. Booker and his group were walking through the McCord property towards Hoosier National Forest property while the group that was with Mr. Purdy followed them. In the video the group that was with Mr. Purdy was telling Mr. Booker’s group to leave and one member off the group, later identified as Jerry Cox II, was yelling “you liberal bitches” and “nappy-headed bitch” and slapping at the phone that was recording. This video appeared to be on McCord property. Mr. Booker and I tried to send the videos to my cell phone but were having technical issues so I had Mr. Booker send me a smaller clip of the video where he was being held down. Mr. Booker advised that he wanted Mr. Purdy and his group to be arrested that night. I asked the other individual standing with Mr. Booker if he was the one recording and he said no, he wasn’t there. I then went to speak with Major Beaver at the other location.

Major Beaver had collected the identifying information from the group that was with Mr. Purdy. Major Beaver had also spoken to Caroline McCord who was with the group and advised that she was the daughter of Mr. McCord, the property owner. Ms. McCord advised that Mr. Booker came up to the group from the McCord property and told them that he was a county official and that they were “in violation”. Ms. McCord said that she took that to mean Mr. Booker was threatening them with violations as a county official. Mr. Purdy and Ms. McCord advised that Mr. Booker was told to leave and that he was on private property. Ms. McCord advised that Mr. Booker would not leave the property and that was when the altercation happened. Ms. McCord stated that Mr. Booker and his group walked through McCord property toward Hoosier National Forest Property. Mr. Purdy advised that he spoke to Mr. Booker earlier in the day and drove Mr. Booker to Mr. Booker’s campsite in his off road vehicle and let Mr. Booker know then that the area was private property. Mr. Purdy advised the interaction was friendly. Mr. Purdy advised that he thought that Mr. Booker did not like Mr. Purdy’s hat and that was a reason he came back. Ms. McCord advised that she wanted me to advise he was trespassing and that he was not allowed on the property.

I called the Monroe County prosecutor’s office and after conferring with them it was determined that due to conflicting and missing information and lack of visible significant injury, that I would document all relevant information, submit a report and later determine if there would be any criminal charges.

Major Beaver and I then went to speak to Mr. Booker and his group again. When we arrived it was beginning

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to get dark. Major Beaver began asking Mr. Booker questions and Mr. Booker asked Major Beaver if it was going to be confrontational. Mr. Booker stated to Major Beaver that Mr. Booker knew Major Beaver was not used to a black man in power. Major Beaver asked Mr. Booker about Mr. Purdy giving Mr. Booker a ride in the off-road vehicle to his campsite and Mr. Booker confirmed that Mr. Purdy gave him a ride to the campsite and it was cordial at the time. Major Beaver asked Mr. Booker if he was advised that the area was private property. Mr. Booker stated that it was McCord property and did not belong to this group. We advised Mr. Booker that Ms. McCord, who was the daughter of the property owner, was with the group and could tell people it was private property and that they were not allowed to be there. We advised Mr. Booker that we spoke to the prosecutor’s office and that I was going to submit a report for review by the prosecutor’s office to see what charges would be filed, but law enforcement action was not going to be taken at this time. After advising Mr. Booker of this a member of his group, identified as Ian Watkins, advised that he heard the other group stating that they were going to “grab a noose” and that they were going to break Mr. Booker’s arms, which is why he did not want to leave Mr. Booker alone with the other group. Mr. Booker then stated that he heard the same remarks but had forgot about them earlier. I called the prosecutor’s office again and advised of the additional statements made. It was determined again that a custodial arrest was not warranted at this time. I examined Mr. Booker for injuries and did not observe any injuries except for the scratch on his left cheek. I asked if Mr. Booker if I could check him for other injuries. He was hesitant to answer but advised that I could. I did not observe any further injuries. I took full body photographs of Mr. Booker and close-ups of Mr. Booker’s elbows, knees and face to document any possible injuries. I also asked Mr. Booker if he could remove his hat so I could examine his head for injuries Mr. Booker stated no, he did not want to. I asked again if I could examine his head for injuries and after his group advised him to he did. I thoroughly examined his head but saw no injuries or signs of hair being pulled out. I then advised the group to send me the rest of the videos for the case report as soon as they have enough signal.

Major Beaver and I then transported Mr. Booker and the rest of the group to their vehicles near the causeway, except for Fredrick Walsh who stated he did not trust us to transport him. Mr. Walsh utilized his own kayak to return to the parking area.

On July 5th I had still not received the requested phone video footage and at approximately 1636 hours, I received a call from dispatch that staff at IU Health Bloomington advised that a male subject matching Mr. Booker’s description was being treated and they were wondering why nothing had been done about the incident. I confirmed that Mr. Booker was still at the hospital and headed that way to follow-up with Mr. Booker to see if he had any additional information about the incident and to see if his diagnosis was consistent with my observations from the night of the incident. When I arrived at the emergency room I introduced myself and asked if I was able to see Mr. Booker. I also asked what Mr. Booker was diagnosed with. I was advised Mr. Booker had multiple abrasions, traumatic hair loss and a mild concussion. I entered Mr. Booker’s room with a nurse and greeted Mr. Booker and explained I was there to see if Mr. Booker could show me his injuries again and ask Mr. Booker if there was any addition information that he remembered from the incident. Mr. Booker advised that there was nothing else that he remembered from the event. I was shown a small abrasion under Mr. Booker’s right knee and a minor abrasion to the left elbow. I also observed the small scratch on Mr. Booker’s left cheek. I could not observe any bald patches on Mr. Booker’s head. I asked Mr. Booker about his hair and Mr. Booker advised that when he showered earlier in the day he noticed hair in the water and then noticed the bald spots. The nurse with me parted Mr. Booker’s hair twice and was able to show me a bald spot on his head. The nurse parted Mr. Booker’s hair once in another area and I observed another bald spot. I photographed Mr. Booker again for injuries and obtained a copy of the doctor’s diagnosis for the case report. I again asked Mr. Booker if there was any more information that he remembered. I asked the doctor about the

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mild concussion diagnosis. I was advised that Mr. Booker had a persistent headache with some nausea, but with no neurological sign of damage which is consistent with a mild concussion. I was also able to obtain from Mr. Booker the three complete videos of the altercation.

On July 6th, 2020, at approximately 0013 hours I spoke to Ms. McCord on the telephone. She advised that people were posting threatening messages online and Sean Purdy was receiving harassing and threatening messages. Ms. McCord advised that she wanted Mr. Booker charged with criminal trespass. Ms. McCord also asked what to do if they were threatened or somebody showed up at any of the group’s residences. I advised Ms. McCord to call 911 immediately. I also had Ms. McCord send me pictures of the threatening messages that she found posted on the internet. I spoke to Ms. McCord some more and she provided more details about the altercation. Ms. McCord stated that she did not hear anybody in her group yelling “white power” or anything racial before Mr. Booker came over, just people waving and yelling at some boats with “Trump” flags on them. Ms. McCord advised that when Mr. Booker first approached her he came through the McCord property and that Mr. Booker “got in her face” and was threatening her with fines and violations and that Ms. McCord then advised Mr. Booker to leave the property and he wouldn’t. Mr. Purdy began getting upset that Mr. Booker was in Ms. McCord’s face. Ms. McCord stated that Mr. Purdy walked up to get between Mr. Booker and Ms. McCord and then Mr. Booker struck Mr. Purdy three times. Ms. McCord then said Mr. Purdy and Mr. Booker went to the ground. Ms. McCord advised Mr. Purdy kept holding down Mr. Booker because they thought Mr. Booker would start swinging again if he got up. Ms. McCord also stated that she could get a statement from her father Bruce McCord, the property owner, stating she has full rights to be on the property and to tell people to leave.

On July 6th Indiana Conservation Officer detectives interviewed Sean Purdy, Caroline McCord, Jeremy Cox II, Sabrina Cox, ***JUVENILE*** and ***JUVENILE***. The detective reports of these interviews are attachments to this report. During their statements Jeremy Cox II and Sean Purdy stated that they had received injuries during the incident on July 4th. I photographed the injuries that Mr. Cox and Mr. Purdy advised of. Mr. Cox had bruising under his right eye and a cut on the right side of his forehead. Mr. Purdy had significant bruising under his chin to the left side. Mr. Purdy also had bruising on his right bicep and light abrasions on his right forearm. Mr. Purdy also had bruising on his right ankle and complained of abdominal pain on his left side.

On this date I also filed a probable cause affidavit for the medical records of Mr. Booker’s visit to IU Health Bloomington on July 5th, 2020. A search warrant was issued at 1735 hours on July 6th.

On the morning of July 7th I served the search warrant for Mr. Booker’s medical records at IU Health Bloomington. I received the records at 0946 hours. Those medical records are attached to this report.

After I served the warrant at IU Health Bloomington I drove to Steven Cox’s residence to speak about Mr. Cox meeting with a detective later in the day for an interview. Mr. Cox agreed and met with a detective later that day. A synopsis of that interview is attached to this report.

I then went to Brennan Golightly’s residence to speak about Mr. Golightly meeting with a detective later in the day for an interview. Mr. Golightly agreed and met with a detective later that day. A synopsis of that interview is attached to this report.

Later that day I gave an oral probable cause affidavit for a search warrant for Ian Watkins’ smart phone. An amendment was made to the search warrant and it was issued at 1445 hours on July 7th.

On July 7th, 2020, I examined the contents of Ian Watkins’ phone, after it was also examined by Officer Brian

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Bailey and Detective Sergeant Stinson, searching for information pertaining to the events of the case which included:

A screen shot of a Facebook post describing directions to get to the campsite at Hoosier National Forest that Mr. Watkins and his party were staying at on July 4th. The directions advised to go through the McCord property to reach the campsite.

Outgoing text to Dad 1729 hours: I got punched in the face and shoved to the ground and held down by the guy calling vauhxx a nappy headed nigger bitch in one of the videos, but I’m fine other than a headache and a couple scratches

Incoming text from Booker, Vauhxx: Went to ER. I was diagnosed with a minor concussion, and they noted swelling abrasions and several patches of hair ripped out.

Outgoing text to Booker, Vauhxx: damn dude. I’m just glad you weren’t hurt more seriously

I did not observe any other texts containing evidentiary information.

At 2336 hours on July 7th, I received a written statement from Mr. Bruce McCord advising that his daughter Caroline McCord had permission to be on the property and authority to deny access to the property. The main entrance to the McCord property has a locked gate and several no trespassing signs. Pictures of the McCord gate are attachments to this report.

On July 8th I filed a probable cause affidavit for a search warrant for Frederick Walsh’s smart phone. That warrant was issued at 1835 hours on July 8th.

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COMMENTS / NARRATIVES

Title

SUPPLEMENT

Narrative Created By / Created On

TIMOTHY BEAVER

07/05/2020

Narrative Updated By / Update On

TIMOTHY BEAVER

07/14/2020

Approved By / On

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wearing swimming trunks and I did not observe any marks, blood, or other indicators of a physical altercation on their clothing or skin. Purdy was wearing swimming trunks and a red sleeveless shirt. I did not observe any signs of a physical altercation on Purdy’s clothing or skin.

I noticed another female standing up in the woods and I went to speak with her. She identified herself as Caroline McCord. She was lucid and did not appear to be impaired like the others. McCord told me her father owned the property and her and her friends were camping there. She told me that a black male and several other white males approached her on her property. She said the black male, later identified as Vauhxx Booker, threatened her and told her he was some type of county official and they were in violation. She said she told him that’s fine but I want you to leave my property. She told me she felt threatened by Booker. She told me at some point the males in her group got involved and an altercation ensued. She provided very few details of the actual altercation. I was speaking with her on the trail just above the parked, off-road vehicle. When I asked her where the altercation occurred she stated, “right here” pointing to the area between our location and the parked, off-road vehicle. She further confirmed the incident was on her private property. I observed no physical markers indicating any property lines in the area.

Officer Kinser returned to my location and we discussed what we had learned thus far. He spoke with the other party and showed me a video he had obtained of the altercation. NOTE: This video is a “smaller clip of the video” according to Officer Kinser’s narrative. At this point it was completely dark outside and we were viewing the video on Officer Kinser’s phone. From the video I did observe a male in a red shirt standing against a tree with someone on the ground between him and the tree. There were others standing around and numerous people yelling. During the entirety of the video, there was very little movement between the two individuals at the tree. It appeared as though neither were attempting any aggressive movements. I saw no person striking or kicking another. I believed the male in the red shirt to be Purdy, but I could not identify the person on the ground. I had not had any interaction with Booker at this point and could only assume it was Booker. Officer Kinser did not inform me of any injuries to Booker so at that time, my conclusion was the person on the ground was being held in that position for an unknown reason. (This was the only video I viewed that evening) I asked Officer Kinser to contact the prosecutor on call and tell them the information we had gathered. Kinser did so, and told me afterwards the prosecutor advised us to submit an incident report for their review.

I then took Officer Kinser to speak with McCord who had provided me with the most information. McCord was with Purdy at the time. McCord provided the same information to Officer Kinser and I, and Purdy added that he had encountered Booker on the McCord property earlier that day. Purdy told me he advised Booker he was on private property. Purdy said he took Booker back to Booker’s site in his off-road vehicle and that the encounter was cordial. Purdy did mention that he believed Booker did not like his hat that displayed a confederate flag. Purdy added that Booker did not want to sit in the front seat of the vehicle with him and attempted to sit in the back of the vehicle. Purdy told me Booker eventually sat in the front seat beside him. Purdy again provided no details about the actual altercation.

Officer Kinser and I left that site by boat and went to speak with Booker and his party. I observed the following about Booker’s appearance and demeanor when we arrived. Booker was standing on the rocky shore holding his cell phone. He was wearing shorts, a T-shirt, and a ball cap. As he faced me, I did not observe any tears in his clothing or any markings on his clothing that would indicate a physical altercation. I did not see any blood on his skin or clothing. He appeared calm and collected. He was not crying or excited. He was not complaining of pain. I observed several other individuals sitting and standing on the shore.

I introduced myself to Booker and asked him if he had encountered the group earlier in the day and if he was told he was on private property. He indicated he had encountered them on the property but that it wasn’t their property. I again asked him if he was told he was on private property. Booker’s body language indicated he was not comfortable with my questioning and asked me “is this going to be confrontational?” I told him “No” I

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wasjusttryingtoobtainthefactsofwhathadoccurred. Bookerbegantotalkagainaboutthepropertyowner issue. He showed me a GIS application on his phone and the property owner’s name was McCord. I told him it was my understanding that Caroline McCord was the property owner’s daughter and that would give her the righttobethereandtodenyothersaccess. Bookercontinuedtoargueitwasn’ttheirproperty. Iaskedhim why he returned to the property after being told not to because it was private property, and he told me he was trying to be a good neighbor but did not elaborate. At some point while speaking with Booker, a male later identified as Frederick Walsh, began to video me up close with his cell phone and interrupting me with demands to arrest the others, and a continuing rant about how dangerous the other group was and the repercussionsifarrestsweren’tmade. Booker,norhisparty,providedmewithanyspecificdetailsaboutwhy they went back to the private property. They told us the other group made racially motivated threats against Booker and they feared for his and their safety. One male stated that a person from the other group mentionedgettinganooseduringthealtercation. OfficerKinserthenbegantoconversewithBooker. During ourconversationswithBooker,heattemptedtomakeseveralphonecallstoothercountyofficials. Ididnot ask any of the others in the group any significant questions as I believed Officer Kinser had already spoken to them while I was at the other location. One male, later identified as Steven Cox, discretely told me he thought we were doing the “right thing” and that this was a difficult situation.

I asked Officer Kinser to consult with the prosecutor a second time, to relay the threats that were allegedly madeagainstBooker. OfficerKinserdidsoandagaintheprosecutordirectedustocompleteareportfor review.

I asked if anyone from Booker’s party had any injuries. Ian Watkins told me he was held back by a large, bald subjectwithtattoosbuthadnoinjuries. Bookerstatedhehadaheadache,butsaiditinawaythatIdidn’t interpretitasthoughitwassevere. OfficerKinsertookseveralphotographsofBookerwhohadnovisible injuries. OfficerKinseraskedBookerifhecouldremovehisballcaptoexaminehisheadforinjuries. Booker refused for an unknown reason. Others from Booker’s group encouraged him to allow Officer Kinser to inspecthishead. BookerthenreluctantlyremovedhiscapandOfficerKinserexaminedhisheadusinghis flashlight. OfficerKinserdidnotexpressthatheobservedanyvisibleinjuries.

We transported all of Booker’s party, except for one who stated he did not trust us and had his own kayak, back to the area where their vehicles were located near the causeway.

On July 9 and 10, 2020 I carefully reviewed four videos obtained after the incident from persons involved in the incident. I have documented all audible statements made and listed them by who made the statements if known.

Altercation At Tree, 51 seconds, believed to be filmed by Golightly

The video depicts Purdy holding Booker down against the base of a tree. Cherco, McCord, and ***JUVENILE*** are pleading with Purdy to let him go. Cox knocks the phone out of Golightly’s hand ending the video. The quotes below are not necessarily in the order of occurrence and this is not a complete transcription of the video, only a collection of audible statements made. Others seen in the video: Mills, Walsh. Only audible statements are listed below.

Unknown- “We’rejusttryingtogetoutofhereguys,we’rejusttryingtogetoutofhere.”

“Let him go dude, let him go. Let him go, please let him go, please let him go.” Purdy- “You go, you go, no, you go, you go.”

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Unknown- “We’regoingassoonasyoulethimgo.”

McCord- “Lethimfuckinggo.”

Cherco- “Sean let him go, Sean let him go, Sean let him go, let him go, let him go.” “Sean, Sean, let him go, Sean let him go.”
***JUVENILE*** “You’re causing more problems, stop.”
Cox- “Getthefuckoutofhere,shakeyourheadatmeandgo,getthefuckoutofhere.”

Escort Off Property 1, 38 seconds, believed to be filmed by Booker

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Depicts the group from the McCord property escorting Booker’s group off of the property. McCord is holding Jerry Cox back as they are in close proximity to Golightly. Others seen in the video: Mills, Cherco, Steven Cox. Booker’s voice is heard in the video but he is not seen. The quotes below are not necessarily in the order of occurrence and this is not a complete transcription of the video, only a collection of audible statements made.

Jerry Cox- “Just like all you were when you came down and invaded us, just like you guys invaded us, you guys invaded us. We were having a great time and you invaded us.”

“You stupid fucking liberal fucks. That’s what you get. Take your ass on.” “Oh yeah hold your (heart?) you little fucking bitch.”

McCord- “That was so unnecessary you guys.”

“Youaresoamazingthankyouforsayingthat.” (notclearwhosheisspeakingto) Booker- “We’re fine. Are you OK?”
Unknown- Bring your facts, bring your facts (not clear)

Escort Off Property 2, 2 minutes, 10 seconds, believed to be filmed by Booker

Depicts the group from the McCord property escorting Booker’s group off of the property. There is a conversation between McCord and Booker with the others randomly shouting back and forth. Mills is holding people from his party back. Others seen in the video: Jerry Cox, Walsh, Mills, Cherco, Golightly. Booker’s voice is heard but he is not seen in the video. The quotes below are not necessarily in the order of occurrence and this is not a complete transcription of the video, only a collection of audible statements made.

Booker- “I don’t want you to feel intimidated is what I am saying.” McCord- “I’mnotatall.”
Booker- “Yeah, nobody is going to do anything to you.”

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McCord‐ “Hey, hey stop it. You guys really played with that. What the fuck?” Why were you guys provoking that?” What the fuck were you thinking?”

Booker‐ “I just talked to you guys.”
McCord‐ “No you didn’t just talk to us you totally, you accused me and you threatened me you didn’t just talk. No you

didn’t that’s so bull shit, you threatened me you know that.” Booker‐ “I asked if you yelled racial slurs you guys.”

McCord‐ “You told, nobody did and I said no and you totally threatened me and you said I am going to slap all kinds of shit on you.”

“You really started this and that’s so unfortunate.” “He provoked it he totally started it.”

“And you totally provoked us. You are worse than the police, you are worse than the police, you are totally worse than the police, the police wouldn’t even provoke this.”

“You used your power.”

Cox‐ “I’m going to punch you right in your fucking face.”

“No you guys, you guys crossed the fucking line, you guys crossed the fucking line.”

“Then go, then go, then go.”

“You guys are fucking lunatics, you’re fucking crazy.”

“You come up here and start it you fucking mother fucking liberal bitch. You happy, with all your white fucking friends, all your white friends, you’re happy about this right? You little bitch, come back on this side.”

“You happy about this? You fucking nappy‐headed bitch, you happy about this?” Booker‐ “What do you really want to call me?
Cox‐ “You nappy‐headed bitch, you happy about this?”
Booker‐ “What do you want to call me?”

Cox‐ “You with your five white friends, you happy with your five white friends?”
Cox‐ “Fuck you, fuck you, put it in your fucking film bitch. Come over here again, come over here again.”

Walsh‐ “Nobody wants violence here.”
Golightly‐ “This sucks, this sucks both ways guys this sucks, this sucks both ways.” Mills‐ “What did you think was going to happen when you did that.”
“A county official right, you’re a, you’re a county official right?”

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Booker‐ “We’re on public land right now.”
Escort Off Property 3, 5 minutes, 20 seconds, believed to be filmed by Steven Cox

Depicts Booker’s group being escorted off of the McCord property. It includes an argument between Cox and an unknown person and a conversation between Booker and McCord. This video has similar footage as Escort Off Property 2 but has footage before and after the footage contained in Escort Off Property 2. The quotes below are not necessarily in the order of occurrence and this is not a complete transcription of the video, only a collection of the audible statements made. Statements contained in both videos are not duplicated in this collection. Others seen in the video: J. Cox, Watkins, Golightly, Walsh, Cherco, Mills, S. Cox.

Cox‐ “Is that what you wanted, is that what you guys came down on private property for? Take a picture of every one of these mother fuckers Caroline.”

“You got no business here mother fucker. This is our 4th of July, our Independence Day, we’re having fun, you want to ruin it?”

Unknown‐ “This was our’s too.”

Cox‐ “Oh yeah, well stay the fuck off our property you dumb fuck.”

Unknown‐ “Not on your property now.”

Cox‐ “Do something then, do something then, I’m right here baby. Let’s do this. Now we’re here, now we’re here baby.”

“Just like the rest of you liberal fucks.”
“Yeah, yeah you are, yeah you are.” “…..(garbled) you do with that mother fucker.” Golightly‐ “Because he’s a person dude.”

Cox‐ “Oh, because he’s a person. Just like all you were when you came down and invaded us.”
**(Cox and other continued statements from this point in the video are documented in Escort Off Property 2)

McCord‐ “You can do whatever you want I really don’t care. I’m not a mean bad person. The boundary is coming up soon.”

“That was so unnecessary …(garbled)… but that was so unnecessary.” Booker‐ “Okay”

McCord‐ “There’s a better time and place to address that, that was not the right time and place. So go, I just want my dog.”

Booker‐ “You can have the dog.” McCord‐ “Well thank you, it’s my dog.”

IRF 1.6

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7/4/2020

06-20-01606

07/04/2020

Booker‐ “I don’t want you to feel intimidated is what I am saying.”

McCord‐ “I’m not at all.”

McCord‐ “You know what I want to say, you know what I want to say, you are a poor county official is what I want to say. You totally started this. “(garbled)…you used your power when you shouldn’t, abuse of power. So go, abuse of power. Do not abuse your powers again mother fucker.”

Booker‐ “Have a good day…”
McCord‐ “(garbled)…I guarantee you, you have threatened me.”
“If you ever do that to me again, you don’t know who I am and you don’t know who my family is.”

IRF 1.6

Approved By: JASON ANDREW LEE PAGE 18 Approved On: 7/15/2020 4:01:35 PM

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06-20-01606

07/04/2020

COMMENTS / NARRATIVES

Title

SUPPLEMENT

Narrative Created By / Created On

ANGELA GOLDMAN

07/08/2020

Narrative Updated By / Update On

ANGELA GOLDMAN

07/13/2020

Approved By / On

I, Indiana Conservation Officer Lt. Angela Goldman was called to assist with this investigation.

On July 6, 2020 I requested the prosecutor’s office to contact Booker’s attorney to set up a time for Booker to give us a statement. Booker’s attorney advised that Booker would not be meeting with us.

On July 7, 2020, I met with Brennan Golightly and we drove to the McCord Property near Monroe Reservoir. We walked to the location that Brennan felt was the tree that Vauhxx Booker was held against. Golightly initially found a tree that he felt was the one, but was not sure. We decided to hike to the camp that the tree was at, and then walk back. We crossed the McCord property and hiked onto Hoosier National Forest Property. We located the area that they had camped at. I took a GPS reading at that location. Longitude 39 4’16”, Latitude 86 25’20”. We then began to walk back towards the area of the tree. When we arrived near the tree, we were met by Fredrick Walsh. He was also camping with Golightly and observed the altercation. Walsh indicated that he knew which tree it was. Golightly was still looking for the right one. I had Walsh step over to me and indicate which tree he thought it was. A few minutes later Golightly indicated the same tree. I GPS’ed and photographed this tree. After the two men left, I compared the photos of the tree to the video. It was determined that this tree was not the same tree as depicted in the video.

On 7/8/20 I returned to the property. I was able to locate the exact tree that is pictured in the video. It was approximately twenty feet from the tree that Golightly and Walsh indicated. I photographed and obtained GPS coordinates of this tree. (Latitude 39 4’13” Longitude 86 25’4″) I searched the area at the base of this tree and did not find evidence of blood or hair.

The tree was clearly within the Corp of Engineers property line.

On 7/9/20 I reached back out to Booker’s attorney for a second request to interview Booker. This request was denied.

IRF 1.6

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06-20-01606

7/4/2020

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07/04/2020

COMMENTS / NARRATIVES

Title

SUPPLEMENT

Narrative Created By / Created On

NATHAN BERR

07/10/2020

Narrative Updated By / Update On

NATHAN BERRY

07/13/2020

Approved By / On

IRF 1.6

Approved By: JASON ANDREW LEE PAGE 20 Approved On: 7/15/2020 4:01:35 PM

06-20-01606

7/4/2020

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07/04/2020

COMMENTS / NARRATIVES

Title

SUPPLEMENT

Narrative Created By / Created On

BRIAN BAILEY

07/10/2020

Narrative Updated By / Update On

JOHN CANNARELLA

07/11/2020

Approved By / On

Supplement completed by Cpl. Brian Bailey.

On July 7, 2020 I, Indiana Conservation Officer (ICO) Cpl. Brian Bailey assisted in serving a search warrant on Ian Watkins cellular phone. I contacted Judge Mary Ellen Diekhoff by cell phone while at the residence on a recorded line routed through Monroe County Sheriff’s Dispatch Center. I amended the search warrant, based on facts discovered at the residence and those amendments were granted by Judge Diekhoff. A copy of the amended search warrant was issued to Ian Watkins, and a return along with the recording of the amendment were submitted to the Monroe County Prosecutors Office.