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Boone County man now charged in deputy’s murder was arrested in Putnam County
LEBANON -- One of two additional suspects charged Wednesday in the high-profile murder of Boone County Sheriff’s Deputy Jacob Pickett was originally arrested in Putnam County less than 10 days after the killing, authorities said.
Murder charges against John Austin Ball, 22, and John Baldwin Jr., 29, both of Lebanon, were filed Wednesday in the March 2 incident by the Boone County Prosecutor’s Office.
Ball, who had an address in Darlington (Montgomery County) when arrested, had reportedly been “hotel hopping” in the aftermath of the shooting when he was stopped by Indiana State Police officers along Interstate 70 in Putnam County on March 11.
Ball was initially charged in Putnam Superior Court with possession of methamphetamine, a Level 6 felony, and carrying a handgun without a license, a Class A misdemeanor. At the time of his arrest, Ball was with several other individuals and was in the presence of drug paraphernalia.
Both men have been incarcerated since March on lesser charges, but Boone County Prosecutor Kent Eastwood Wednesday dismissed the old charges and has refiled the cases with murder at top billing.
On Wednesday, Ball was charged with murder, dealing in methamphetamine, possession of meth, maintaining a common nuisance-controlled substances, possession of a syringe and possession of paraphernalia.
Baldwin, meanwhile, was charged with murder, conspiracy to commit dealing in meth, dealing in meth, two counts of possession of meth, two counts of resisting law enforcement, two counts of leaving the scene of an accident and possession of marijuana.
It was Ball who resided in the 1402 Yates St. mobile home residence where the fatal incident began, according to new information filed in Boone Superior Court 2.
The March 2 incident began when police were serving a separate, unrelated warrant at that address and spotted a car driven by Baldwin Jr., who was also wanted on a warrant.
Baldwin Jr. was the driver in the car chase that led up to Deputy Pickett’s shooting. His father John Baldwin Sr., 55, and Anthony Baumgardt, 21, both of Lebanon, were passengers in the car.
Lebanon Police officers attempted to stop the vehicle to arrest Baldwin Jr. on the warrant, however, he led multiple police units on a chase that drove through lawns, almost hitting a pedestrian and striking several vehicles before stopping at an apartment complex.
When the car stopped, Baldwin Sr. and Baumgardt took off on foot before Baldwin Jr. drove away, police said.
The affidavit reports that Deputy Pickett and K-9 partner Brik exited his patrol car to join the foot chase. That’s when Baumgardt drew a 9 mm handgun, firing the round that caused Pickett’s fatal injury.
Lebanon Police Chief Tyson Warmoth eventually shot Baumgardt, bringing the chase to an end.
Baldwin Jr. was eventually apprehended by another group of officers after entering Interstate 65 driving in the wrong direction.
Following the incident, a search of Ball’s home uncovered several dishes that contained meth, hundreds of plastic baggies, digital scales, a book with names of known drug users and several firearms, court documents noted.
His charges in Putnam County are still pending.