DUBOIS COUNTY — A multi-day series of disruptive incidents in Schnellville has resulted in a laundry list of charges against a Roachdale man, including allegations of driving under the influence, vandalizing a conservation club, and damaging a local grave marker.
According to the Dubois County Sheriff’s Office, the situation began unfolding on Monday, June 29th, when deputies were dispatched following reports of a man acting belligerently in a roadway while carrying a gun and allegedly rifling through local mailboxes.
Responding officers quickly located the suspect’s vehicle and conducted a traffic stop. The driver was identified as 63-year-old Franklin L. Haas of Roachdale, Indiana.
During the stop, investigators discovered a pellet gun inside the vehicle. Officers also reported detecting the distinct odor of marijuana. Haas was taken into custody, but the situation escalated further when he allegedly spat on a jail officer while being secured inside a patrol unit. Consequently, Haas was hit with an initial wave of charges, including Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated (OVWI), Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Paraphernalia, and Battery by Bodily Waste.
The investigation widened the following day, June 30th, when authorities were called out to inspect separate reports of property damage in the area. Officers discovered vandalism at the Schnellville Conservation Club as well as damage to a grave marker at the Schnellville Cemetery.
Following a secondary investigation linking him to the scenes, authorities tacked on additional charges of Cemetery Mischief and Criminal Mischief against Haas.
Notably, sheriff’s officials pointed out a timely legislative shift coinciding with the case: Indiana’s specific “cemetery mischief” statute is officially repealed as of today, July 1st, as the offense is being folded into a broader, updated “criminal vandalism” law.
Haas’ bond has been set at $1,000. Under the conditions of his release, if the bond is posted, Haas will be placed on enhanced pre-trial monitoring and will be legally required to comply with all mental health recommendations.
Those arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
