Michael J.Perry, Warrick County Prosecutor

12/19/2025

On the evening of December 18, 2025, retired Evansville Police Department officer, Ronald D. Bohannon was found guilty by a jury of his peers on the sole charge of Child Molesting, a level 1 Felony. Bohannon, 78 years old will receive a prison sentence between 20 and 40 years, with at least 20 of that sentence to be served non-suspended. Bohannon will also be adjudged as a credit restricted felon and must register as a s*x offender for the duration of his natural life.
The Warrick County Prosecutor's Office was well represented by a team consisting of Jacklyn Buente and Jennifer Greer. These two prosecutors are two of the most competent, ethical attorneys with which I have had the fortune to serve. The investigation of this matter was directed by Det. Jason Utley of the Warrick County Sheriff's Office, and was assisted by the professionals of Holly's House.
Child molesting is one the most heinous crimes that can be committed, and is most often a situation that happens in solitude and silence. Rarely are there witnesses other than the victim, and, as is the case more often than not - there is a significant delay in reporting of this crime, which results in the lack of physical evidence to assist in the prosecution. Most times, the key to successfully prosecuting these matters is to have a victim who is very believable, does not appear to have been coached, and who, throughout the process relates the events with unwavering veracity. Having handled these types of matters myself for well over two decades, I personally know how difficult these matters are to achieve a guilty verdict.
In this particular matter - justice has been served.

08/17/2025

2026 is an election year for several offices, one of which is mine. I have spent the last 10+ years dedicated to doing the right thing and to making Warrick County a great place to work, live and to raise your family. I fully intend to doing that for the next four (4) years, and I challenge anyone to match my resume, my desire, and my loyalty to the law abiding citizens of Warrick County. It has been my life’s honor to serve, and I promise to continue to complete my mission honorably.

08/01/2025

I have been offered congratulations on the murder trial I was recently involved in. Don’t get me wrong, I greatly appreciate it…but, it’s not all me. I, and my team are only as good as the cases that are given to us. Without the hard work of Det. Sgt. Trent Stinson and Det. Jared West and all of the other law enforcement officers involved,giving us a well developed case, we are dead in the water. We are literally t-ball players…our law enforcement partners place the ball on the tee…it’s up to us to hit that ball.

07/30/2025

JUSTICE FOR MANNY
Late in the evening of July 29, 2025 and into the early morning hours of July 30, 2025, a jury of 12 Warrick County citizens rendered a verdict in the matter of State of Indiana vs. Johnathon Buza for the murder and robbery of Manuel Heaton. The guilty verdict came after 6 days of testimony in the Warrick County Circuit Court. The jury also found that the State had met its burden presenting the standards for a life without parole sentence, that this aggravator outweighed any mitigators - but unanimously recommended a sentence of term of years for the defendant. The defendant admitted to the enhancement of his sentence due to the use of a firearm during its commission. The defendant will be sentenced on September 25, 2025.
As has been the case during my tenure as your Warrick County Prosecutor - this case was professionally and promptly investigated by a team of law enforcement officers representing many different agencies and levels of government. I would like to personally thank my newly discovered detective friends at DNR led by Det. Sgt. Trent Stinson for helming this investigation and helping to bring it to its successful completion. Det. Sgt Stinson helped coordinate the efforts of the Warrick County Sheriff’s Office, the ATF, the FBI, the Indiana State Police, the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office, the Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s Office and other brave law enforcement officers of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources from across the state to bring to our office an ironclad criminal investigation.
I would be remiss if I did not emphasize how incredibly thorough Chief Deputy, Jennifer Greer was in organizing the prosecution of this matter and coordinating the appearance of a multitude of witnesses - without her, this case goes nowhere. I also need to recognize the staff of the Warrick County Prosecutor’s Office, my co-workers and friends for their valiant assistance whenever and wherever needed - with special recognition to Andrea Fueger for witness (and sometimes Attorney) control. The defendant was well represented by Warrick County Public Defender, Warren Mathies and his assistant, Cassie Russell. Their defense was both succinct and presented in a cordial, non-antagonistic matter, allowing the jury to focus on the evidence and arguments of counsel to them…and not to each other.
The evidence was presented, closing arguments were made, and the jury rendered the verdict to allow the loved ones of Manuel Heaton to at least experience justice in an otherwise tragic and too early end to a man who was described as having a heart of gold.

06/04/2025

If you receive this text, ignore it. It is a scam. There was a no Department of Motor Vehicles. The Bureau of Motor Vehicles does not enforce traffic tickets.

05/13/2025

I typically refrain from engaging folks on Facebook who are unfamiliar with legal processes, or who choose to ignore simple facts for the purposes of taking unwarranted shots at myself or my office. However, I would like to clear up some confusion for some people.
First and foremost, I will not put my integrity and reputation on the line to assist a person I am acquainted with, or their family members if there is a possibility they have been suspected of criminal activity. I, and my office go to great lengths to request Special Prosecutors in cases where there is an actual conflict, or even the appearance of a conflict.
That being said, the Warrick County Prosecutor's Office has had zero involvement in any matter pertaining to any perceived misconduct by any Warrick County Official. Furthermore, this office has also had zero involvement in matters pertaining to family members or other connected persons with whom anyone in this office is associated.
Secondly - there is incorrect information being spread to suggest that the Warrick County Prosecutor's Office is either negligent, irresponsible, or a combination thereof involving matters of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence. This could not be further from the truth. We take this offense very seriously, as we have seen the pain and suffering these offenses have caused to the innocent individuals either killed or seriously injured when involved with someone committing this offense. In fact, this office attempted to spearhead an effort to increase the penalties for these offenses through the legislature, but received no satisfaction in this regard.
Finally, there was a recent Indiana Supreme Court case which indicated that the time between an offense and when the results of a blood draw to determine the level of intoxication became known are attributable to the State. As most of our labs in the State are overburdened, the turn around time on these tests have been running between 9 and 12 months, which puts the State at or near the time permitted to try a defendant. Therefore, what our office has instituted, is a method to file these cases initially as MC's (Miscellaneous Cases) in order to get the legal process initiated, but then dismissing the same to preserve the time allowed to prosecute the matter. Once the results are obtained, charges are filed, and the matter proceeds. If this happens to be an individual for whom a special prosecutor is required, that is requested, and any decision made on what, if any charges to be filed will be left up to the Special Prosecutor.
I take my obligations as your Prosecutor very seriously, and would never let any conflict or appearance of a conflict cloud my judgment. Perhaps if more people gathered all the information and all of the facts regarding situations, there would be less confusion and consternation on a going forward basis. When all else fails, asking questions goes a long way to avoiding falsehoods being spread.

01/03/2025

As a prosecutor, I have always supported our law enforcement officers, as they do the dirty and dangerous work that keeps our families, our friends and our homes safe. We take our job as ministers of Justice very, very seriously. That being said, we review each and every case to ensure that the victims are respected, that the public is safe, and that Justice is done appropriately. I have never made a decision based upon emotion only, nor have I ever shied from a fight, if the circumstances warrant it. I am extremely proud of the reputation that my office has earned the past 10 years, and will continue to support my deputies, my staff, and above all else, the brave law enforcement officers that serve our county.

10/16/2024

On Tuesday evening, October 15, 2024, a jury consisting of 12 Warrick County citizens rendered a guilty verdict on all counts in the case of the State of Indiana vs. Caylin Monroe. The defendant was charged with knowingly killing her infant child by withholding the necessary food and nutrients essential to maintain human life. Doctor's testimony confirmed that the baby starved to death.
The prosecution was led by two of the most highly skilled, passionate and ethical attorneys I have ever had the honor to work beside, Chief Deputy Jenny Greer and First Deputy Jacklyn Buente. I have watched them prepare and live inside of this case for the past two years, and had the utmost confidence that they would get a successful resolution to this matter. While there are truly no winners in a case such as this, as one of my co-workers so eloquently put it, the baby did have a voice after all, and it was heard loud and clear.
As with any criminal prosecution, there are a lot of moving parts and many, many individuals and organizations responsible for helping to bring a case to trial. I would like to personally thank Sgt. Kyle Tevault of the Warrick County Sheriff's Office - one of the finest detectives I have ever seen. I would also like to thank other members of the Warrick County Sheriff's Office that assisted, in addition to the nurses and doctors of Deaconess Hospital, DCS, WIC - Healthy Family, Community Partners, the Warrick County Coroner, Ascension Emergency Services (EMS), the Skelton Volunteer Fire Department, and last, but not least, those selfless members of the Warrick County Prosecutor's Office who work behind the scenes to make sure that everything flows smoothly during trial, and without whom, we would not be able to operate as successfully as we do - what a great team.
We heard your wounded cry, my child, and have found Justice for your death. Rest now in the Savior's Grace, and know that for a surety that you have been and will be loved.

08/17/2022

WARRICK COUNTY PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE
MICHAEL J. PERRY, PROSECUTOR

Wednesday, August 10, 2022

Members of the Press and Media:

This Press Release is in the interest of promoting trust and sharing information between the residents of Warrick County and the Prosecutor’s Office:

On June 21, 2022, an individual later identified as Michael Eugene White fired a hand gun at two members of the Warrick County Sheriff’s Department who had attempted to make contact with him. This activity occurred during a vehicle pursuit, which resulted in White crashing and abandoning his vehicle. He was able to elude arrest at this time. Over the next couple of days, efforts were undertaken to locate White for questioning about the incident on June 21, 2022, as he was considered armed and dangerous.

Between June 21 and June 23, 2022, at least one additional encounter between Mr. White and law enforcement officers also resulted in Mr. White discharging a weapon in the direction of law enforcement engaged in their lawful duties. Mr. White was eventually discovered to be on a property in northern Warrick County, at which time he hid himself in a barn, and began firing upon the law enforcement agents that had gathered to attempt to apprehend Mr. White. After the exchange of gunfire from Mr. White and from numerous officers from a number of different law enforcement agencies, it was determined that Mr. White was deceased.

A full investigation into this matter was conducted by the Indiana State Police and the Warrick County Coroner’s Office. The results of this investigation concluded that Mr. White took his own life by shooting himself. Further, that the actions of the various law enforcement officers were just and appropriate considering the danger that Mr. White posed to the Warrick County community, and therefore, that this matter will be deemed concluded for the purpose of determining whether any criminal proceedings should be initiated.

The Warrick County Prosecutor’s Office would like to personally thank the brave men and women of law enforcement who participated in this operation, including but not limited to the Warrick County Sheriff’s Department; the Indiana State Police; members of the U.S. Marshal’s Service, including those individuals employed by the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Department; members of Evansville Police Department; and members of the Pike County Sheriff’s Department. Warrick County is blessed to have such dedicated professionals making incredible sacrifices and showing extreme bravery in the face of danger, simply that we, as citizens continue to live, work and play in one of the safest counties in the State. If you have not done it lately – thank an officer today for the freedoms you enjoy. This matter is considered concluded.

Sincerely,

Michael J. Perry,
Warrick County Prosecutor

05/13/2022

Over the past six weeks, the dynamic duo of Jacklyn Buente (lead chair) and Chief Deputy Prosecutor Jenny Greer, have prosecuted three separate individuals for crimes committed against children. Having multiple decades of experience prosecuting these types of cases myself, I can assure you that these are some of the most difficult cases to present to a jury for a variety of reasons. In many, if not most cases, there is a significant delay in reporting resulting in a corresponding lack of physical evidence simply due to the passage of time. These are also the most emotionally draining cases to handle as a prosecutor because of the subject matter and the pressure to do your absolute best for the unfortunate victims dealing with the theft of their innocence.
I am pleased to say that in all three cases, a jury of each defendant's peers found them guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Consequently, Chad Keister was found guilty of one count of Child Molesting, a Class C Felony and one count of Child Molesting, a Level 4 felony (the difference resulting from the change of the criminal code in July 2014); Blake Schaefer was found guilty of one count of Child Molesting, a Class A Felony, and one count of Child Molesting, a Level 1 Felony; and Daniel Smith was found guilty of two counts of Child Molesting, Level 1 felonies and two counts of Child Molesting, Level 4 felonies.
This is exceptional work by these two dedicated, professional prosecutors who work extremely hard to ensure our county continues to be a safe place to work and live. It is a validation of doing things the right way, and of allowing the scales of justice to work as intended by our Founding Fathers.
As your Elected prosecutor, I am thankful for such entities as Holly's House, DCS, and the various law enforcement agencies that work to protect our greatest resource, our children. These cases are also exceptionally prescient examples that it is never too late to inform someone that you have been the victim of unwanted physical contact, or of unwanted communications involving s*xually explicit information. Please do not ever suffer in silence, there are those of us who will listen and who will act.
Thank you Jackie and Jenny for being the voice of these victims and for securing justice. Our county is so fortunate to have these skilled, passionate prosecutors advocating for justice.

03/07/2022

I think the thing that I find the most satisfying about the folks that I work with in my office, is that they are all hardworking, intelligent, and dedicated to the ideals of Justice. It makes my job a lot easier when I do not have to micromanage and dictate to them what to do - as seasoned members of the Warrick County Prosecutor’s Office, they go above and beyond to ensure the citizens of Warrick County can live, work and play in a safe county. Each and every member of my office works to ensure that nothing is to be preferred above justice, and I thank them for this from the bottom of my heart.

01/21/2022