A DRUG DEALER AND A CHILD MOLESTER TAKEN OFF THE STREETS IN TWO JURY TRIAL WINS

VANDERBURGH COUNTY, Ind. — Prosecutor Diana Moers announces that Kip J. Hargrove and Charles Walters were both successfully convicted as charged in two recent jury trials.

On Thursday, April 9, a jury found Kip J. Hargrove guilty of multiple felony meth dealing charges in less than an hour after an overwhelming amount of evidence against him was presented at trial by the prosecution.

Hargrove was found guilty of three Level 2 Felony meth dealing charges and one Level 4 Felony meth dealing charge following an investigation that took place in 2025.

In November 2025, the Drug Task Force was investigating Hargrove for the distribution of meth in our community. Through that investigation, Hargrove was caught red-handed delivering and selling meth. The crimes were caught on camera as investigators conducted controlled buys of the drugs.

After obtaining a search warrant for Hargrove’s room at the Arrowhead Motel, investigators found meth, drug ledgers, and dealing supplies. The meth that was found during the search was located hidden in the back of a toilet.

At trial, the State presented three videos showing Hargrove selling meth as evidence. In addition, the meth that was seized during those controlled purchases was used as evidence against Hargrove, as was the meth that was confiscated from his hotel room. One of the drug ledgers that was found in Hargrove’s motel room was also entered as evidence.

After deliberating for 40 minutes, the jury found Hargrove guilty as charged.

Deputy Prosecutors Erik Bryant and Neil Thomas represented the State of Indiana in the trial against Hargrove. The Honorable Magistrate Judge Celia M. Pauli of the Vanderburgh Circuit Court presided.

The Prosecutor’s Office thanks the detectives who were instrumental in getting these dangerous drugs off the street and gathering evidence against Hargrove. They include EPD Detective J. Blair, Det. D. Barnes, Det. Sgt. S. King, VCSO Det. J. Fentress, and VCSO Det. Sgt. J. Budde. Several detectives also provided testimony against Hargrove at his trial, helping to secure the guilty verdict against him.

Prosecutor’s Office staff members who also assisted substantially in this case include Jessica Purdue, Tiffany Lubbehusen, Jessica Pollock, Tony Carden, Morgan Richardville, Jen Savage, and Kelcy Gray.

Hargrove’s sentencing is set for May 11. He faces between 10 to 30 years for each F2 Count, and between 2 years and 12 years on the F4 Count.

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In a separate case tried by Deputy Prosecutor Neil Thomas, Charles Walters was found guilty of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm as a Level 4 Felony, and Failure of a Sex Offender to Possess Identification as a Level 6 Felony.

While officers were patrolling near the intersection of East Columbia Avenue and North Garvin Avenue in February 2026, they pulled Walters over after he failed to yield to oncoming traffic.

When Walters was unable to provide an ID, officers ran his information and discovered he had been previously convicted of Child Molesting, which prohibits him from possessing a firearm.

During the stop, Walters lied to the officers and said there were no weapons in the vehicle – despite having a magazine in one pocket, a knife in another, and a loaded shotgun behind the passenger seat.

A jury found him guilty on April 14. The Honorable Magistrate Judge Ryan C. Reed of the Vanderburgh Circuit Court presided. Walters is now set to be sentenced on May 11. A Level 4 Felony carries a sentence of 2 to 12 years and a Level 6 felony carries a sentence of ½ to 2 and ½ years.

Prosecutor Moers stated, “Our community is safer today due to the diligent investigative efforts of law enforcement in the Drug Task Force and the Crime Gun Intelligence Center, and the hard work of my deputy prosecutors in successfully crossing the finish line to secure these convictions. A significant amount of meth was taken off of our streets, and a child molester was prevented from committing further heinous acts with an illegally possessed firearm.

My office has worked tirelessly to proactively address gun and violent crime through establishment of the Crime Gun Intelligence Center. Each successful conviction prevents future opportunities to harm members of our community and keeps dangerous persons away from our families and children.”