Arrests made in connection fallen officer

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - Indiana State Police Detectives from the Putnamville Post have arrested a total of seven people during the recent investigation into the shooting death of Terre Haute Police Officer Brent D. Long.

State Police Detectives have been working nearly around the clock since the July 11, 2011 shooting of Officer Long. Long was shot at approximately 3:27PM inside an apartment at 1812 North 8th, Terre Haute, while assisting the US Marshal’s Fugitive Task Force and Indiana State Police Troopers serve an arrest warrant on Shaun M. Seeley.

Arrested and Preliminary Charges:

Heather M. Elkins, age 22, of 1812 North 8th, Terre Haute, IN (Wife of Shaun Seeley).
Count 1---Resisting Law Enforcement, D felony, Taken to Vigo County Jail, unknown bond
Count 2---Maintaining a Common Nuisance, D felony
Arrested today at 6:00PM at the Indiana State Police Putnamville Post

Jesse E. Padgett II, age 20, of West Terre Haute, IN. (Cousin of Heather Elkins)
Count 1---Resisting Law Enforcement, D felony, Taken to Vigo County Jail, unknown bond
Count 2---Visiting a Common Nuisance, D felony
Arrested today at 9:00PM at the ISP Putnamville Post

Roberta J. Utterback, age 51, of Terre Haute, IN. (Cousin to Shaun Seeley)
Count 1---Resisting Law Enforcement, D felony, Taken to Vigo County Jail, unknown bond
Count 2---Visiting a Common Nuisance, D felony
Arrested today at 11:00PM at a local Terre Haute motel near US 41 and I-70

Virginia D. Torres, age 23, of Terre Haute, IN. (Girlfriend of Charles James Elkins)
Count 1---Resisting Law Enforcement, D felony, Taken to Vigo County Jail, unknown bond
Count 2---Visiting a Common Nuisance, D felony
Arrested at 4:00PM at the home of an acquaintance on 7th Avenue in Terre Haute, IN.

Charles James Elkins, age 23, of West Terre Haute, IN. (Brother of Heather Elkins)
Count 1---Resisting Law Enforcement, D felony, Taken to the Vigo County Jail, unknown bond
Count 2---Visiting a Common Nuisance, D felony,
Arrested at the same home of an acquaintance on 7th Ave. in Terre Haute, IN.

Luke M. Green, age 19, of West Terre Haute, IN. (Friend of the above persons)
Count 1---Possession of Methamphetamine, D felony, Taken to the Putnam County Jail, unknown bond
Green was arrested at the Putnamville Post today at 6:30PM after detectives allegedly found methamphetamine in his shirt pocket during questioning about the shooting death of Officer Long.

Brandy R. Smith, age 18, of Terre Haute, IN. (Girlfriend of Jesse Padgett)
Count 1---Visiting a Common Nuisance, B misdemeanor, Taken to the Putnam County Jail, unknown bond.
She was arrested today at 6:30PM, while at the ISP Putnamville Post in allegedly in the company of Luke Green, who allegedly possessed methamphetamine.

State Police detectives, during their investigation, believe that Heather Elkins, Jesse E. Padgett II, Roberta J. Utterback, Virginia D. Torres, and Charles James Elkins were in the 1812 North 8th, Terre Haute apartment, as officers initially converged on the residence to serve the arrest warrant on Shaun Seeley. The five were allegedly hesitant to open the apartment door when officers knocked, failed to provide accurate and truthful information about Shaun Seeley being in the residence with weapons to the officers, were using illegal drugs and in possession of drug paraphernalia just moments before the shooting.

“While these arrests cannot change the events of that fateful day, they will hopefully be a deterrent to others in the criminal environment, who fail to cooperate with law enforcement during tragic events” said ISP First Sergeant Jeff Hearon.