GreeneStreets. Feature photo of a back country road in Greene County, Indiana.


Jasonville man found sleeping at Wampler Lake charged with two felonies

A Jasonville man who appeared in court last Thursday was charged with two drug-related felonies. In December a conservation officer who found him napping at Wampler Lake said he was in possession of methamphetamine and 32 syringes plus additional drug-related paraphernalia.  

Thomas Wayne Beeks

Thomas Wayne Beeks

Thomas Wayne Beeks, 34, Jasonville, was arrested on Thursday, December 19, by Indiana Conservation Officer Dustin Cary.

While ICO Cary was on patrol around 10:48 that morning, along with ICO Cpl. Dale Clark, he came upon a dark green Jeep backed into a campsite at Wampler Lake in Greene-Sullivan State Forest with a woman moving around in the process of climbing from the back to the front passenger seat. There were two full trash bags in the front driver’s seat. A man, later identified as Thomas Beeks, was asleep in the back.

The woman identified herself, said they arrived around 4:30 a.m. and were trying to get some rest while waiting to meet a friend. She provided her driver’s license.

ICO Cary informed the woman they were required to pay for a campsite prior to camping.

After Beeks woke up, he was able to provide a state identification card but no driver’s license. He said he knew he had an active warrant out for his arrest and dispatch confirmed he had a felony warrant issued out of Hendricks County plus two body attachments issued out of Greene County.

The vehicle belonged to the female who consented to a search of the vehicle.

ICO Cary reported the officers found clear plastic baggies with a powdery residue near where Beeks had been sleeping, along with a plastic vial of sterile water and a 20-ounce bottle wrapped in duct tape and labeled as “sharps.” There were several syringes inside.

Officer searched the woman and her belongings but did not find any illegal substances or paraphernalia.

When officers searched a backpack belonging to Beeks, they found a tourniquet, more syringes, a spoon, a scale, and multiple plastic baggies with a powdery residue.

Officer Cary reported items tested positive for the presence of methamphetamine.

Beeks was transported to the Greene County Jail where he was booked in around noon.

When he appeared in Greene Superior Court for his initial hearing on Thursday, January 2, a public defender was appointed to represent him, his bond was set at $8,000 surety with ten percent cash allowed, and he was formally charged with possession of methamphetamine, a Level 6 felony, and unlawful possession of a syringe, a Level 6 felony.