INDIANA – Early this morning, a multi-state warrant sweep, named “Operation Rusty Cherub”, netted 13 arrests. The arrests stemmed from a July 4th, 2026, altercation in Madison, Indiana, during the Madison Regatta involving members of the Iron Horsemen and Hells Angels Outlaw Motorcycle Organization.
The investigation and warrant sweep, led by Detective Tim Denby, Indiana State Police-Special Investigations Section, involved a coordinated effort between multiple local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies in Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, and Virginia.
The investigation began on July 4th, 2026, shortly after 3:00 p.m., when members of the Iron Horsemen Outlaw Motorcycle Organization and Hells Angels Outlaw Motorcycle Organization encountered each other inside Shipley’s Tavern, located on West Street in Madison, Indiana. The altercation that ensued led to multiple individuals receiving injuries. Damage to property also occurred inside Shipley’s Tavern. The altercation occurred during the 4th of July Weekend when the Madison Regatta and other community events brought thousands of people to Madison, Indiana.
The Madison Police Department originally responded to the incident. Due to the scope of the investigation, the Indiana State Police-Special Investigations Section soon assumed the lead in the investigation, which led to charges being filed in the Jefferson Superior Court. The investigation culminated in 11 suspects in the tri-state area being arrested on multiple criminal charges and multiple search warrants being served before daybreak this morning. Two additional suspects were arrested by the U.S. Marshals Service in Richmond, Virginia, today.
Arrested:
Colton W. Griffin, 37, Milton, Kentucky
Corrupt Business Influence, Level 5 Felony
Aiding in Battery with Deadly Weapon, Level 5 Felony
Battery Resulting in Moderate Bodily Injury, Level 6 Felony
Disorderly Conduct, Class B Misdemeanor
Elizabeth A. Whelan, 36, Rising Sun, Indiana
Corrupt Business Influence, Level 5 Felony
Battery with Deadly Weapon, Level 5 Felony
Disorderly Conduct, Class B Misdemeanor
Jacob B. Barkalow, 29, Dry Ridge, Kentucky
Corrupt Business Influence, Level 5 Felony
Aiding in Battery with Deadly Weapon, Level 5 Felony
Battery Resulting in Moderate Bodily Injury, Level 6 Felony
Disorderly Conduct, Class B Misdemeanor
Toby L. Jones, 39, North Vernon, Indiana
Corrupt Business Influence, Level 5 Felony
Battery (2 counts), Class B Misdemeanor
Disorderly Conduct, Class B Misdemeanor
Crystal A. Melcher, 48, Sellersburg, Indiana
Corrupt Business Influence, Level 5 Felony
Attempted Obstruction of Justice, Level 6 Felony
Attempted Battery (2 counts), Class B Misdemeanor
Attempted Battery by Bodily Waste, Class B Misdemeanor
Disorderly Conduct, Class B Misdemeanor
Michael D. Melcher, 53, Sellersburg, Indiana
Corrupt Business Influence, Level 5 Felony
Battery (2 counts), Class B Misdemeanor
Disorderly Conduct, Class B Misdemeanor
Owen A. Dumford, 22, Richmond, Indiana
Corrupt Business Influence, Level 5 Felony
Aiding in Battery with Deadly Weapon, Level 5 Felony
Tyler L. Cole, 28, Mount Orab, Ohio
Corrupt Business Influence, Level 5 Felony
Battery with Deadly Weapon, Level 5 Felony
Battery Resulting in Moderate Bodily Injury, Level 6 Felony
Intimidation, Level 6 Felony
Battery, Class A Misdemeanor
Criminal Vandalism, Class B Misdemeanor
Disorderly Conduct, Class B Misdemeanor
Toby W. Hughes, 47, Rising Sun, Indiana
Corrupt Business Influence, Level 5 Felony
Aiding in Battery with Deadly Weapon, Level 5 Felony
Battery Resulting in Moderate Bodily Injury, Level 6 Felony
Disorderly Conduct, Class B Misdemeanor
Jason D. Stowers, 47, Frankfort, Kentucky
Corrupt Business Influence, Level 5 Felony
Aiding in Battery with Deadly Weapon, Level 5 Felony
Battery, Class A Misdemeanor
Attempted Battery, Class B Misdemeanor
Disorderly Conduct, Class B Misdemeanor
Robert M. Stagge, 37, Cincinnati, Ohio
Corrupt Business Influence, Level 5 Felony
Aiding in Battery with Deadly Weapon, Level 5 Felony
Battery Resulting in Moderate Bodily Injury, Level 6 Felony
Disorderly Conduct, Class B Misdemeanor
Cole M. Hoffman, 27, Crittenden, Kentucky
Corrupt Business Influence, Level 5 Felony
Aiding in Battery with Deadly Weapon, Level 5 Felony
Christopher M. Moore, 45, Scottsburg, Indiana
Corrupt Business Influence, Level 5 Felony
Aiding in Battery with Deadly Weapon, Level 5 Felony
The arrests and search warrants that were served early this morning have led to additional search warrants and possible additional local charges. In total, search warrants were served at 18 separate locations in the tri-state area this morning.
Jefferson County Indiana Prosecutor David Sutter stated, “In one of our community’s busiest and most exciting weekends of the year, individuals from these two organizations chose to engage in criminal activity and cause chaos among law-abiding citizens who wanted to enjoy what Madison has to offer. I commend the Indiana State Police and all cooperating law enforcement agencies for their efforts in pursuing those engaging in this criminal activity to make our community a safe and enjoyable place.”
Multiple investigative techniques were used during the course of the three-month-long investigation, including the use of Flock cameras to identify and locate suspects in this case.
The Indiana State Police Special Investigations Section has been assisted in the investigation by the following agencies:
- Indiana State Police (Multiple Districts and Sections)
- Madison (IN) Police Department
- Jefferson County (IN) Sheriff’s Department
- FBI (Indianapolis, Cincinnati, and Louisville Field Offices)
- ATF
- US Marshal’s Service
- Northern Kentucky Drug Strike Force
- Kentucky State Police
- Kenton County (KY) Police Department
- Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigations
- Mount Orab (OH) Police Department
- Brown County (OH) Police Department
- Cincinnati (OH) Police Department
- Hamilton (OH), Police Department
- Jefferson County (IN) Prosecutor’s Office
- Wayne County (IN) Prosecutor’s Office
- Jackson County (IN) Prosecutor’s Office
- Jennings County (IN) Prosecutor’s Office
- Dearborn/Ohio County (IN) Prosecutor’s Office
- Scott County (IN) Prosecutor’s Office
- Clark County (IN) Prosecutor’s Office
- Grant County (KY) Commonwealth Attorney’s Office
- Kenton County (KY) Commonwealth Attorney’s Office
- Carroll County (KY) Commonwealth Attorney’s Office
- Franklin County (KY) Commonwealth Attorney’s Office
- Brown County (OH) Prosecutor’s Office
- Butler County (OH) Prosecutor’s Office
- Hamilton County (OH) Prosecutor’s Office
