News Release

MARSHALL COUNTY — Seventeen people are being charged with welfare fraud, a Level 6 felony, following an investigation.

Kiersten K. Sell

The Marshall County Sheriff’s Department, along with the Indiana Department of Workforce Development, obtained information regarding inmates from various jails and prisons applying for unemployment while incarcerated. The investigations revealed several inmates had accomplices who were not incarcerated complete the online application and weekly vouchers to receive unemployment funds.

Upon completing the investigations, information was turned over to the Marshall County Prosecutor’s Office for review. The prosecutor’s office has filed formal charges on the following individuals:

Brooke E. Gardner, 45, Culver, was charged with two counts of welfare fraud, Level 6 felonies. She was given a court date.

Cameron M. Gardner, 28, Plymouth, has an arrest warrant issued. He is currently serving time at Westville Correctional Facility. His bond is set at $3,000.

Evan T. Gardner, 27, Culver, was arrested on Aug. 2 on an arrest warrant.

Justin P. Sanders

Charles J. Sell, 40, is currently incarcerated at the Marshall County Jail and has been charged with welfare fraud.

Kiersten K. Sell 31, Ossian, was arrested on Aug. 10 and bonded out on $3,000 cash.

Dustin A. Kanschat, 42, currently incarcerated at Westville Correctional Facility, has a warrant issued for his arrest. Bond is set at $3,000 cash.

Brittnie M. Kanschat, 36, Plymouth, was arrested on Aug. 15 and held in the Marshall County Jail on a $3,000 cash bond.

Albert Preston Miller Jr., no age or address given, was arrested on Sept. 8 at Comfort Suites, Plymouth. He was booked in the Marshall County Jail and held on $3,000 cash bond.

Windie E. Cherrone, no age given, Bremen, was arrested on Sept. 9 and booked in the Marshall County Jail. Her bond was set at $3,000 cash.

Chad E. Hickey, 38, Bremen, was arrested on Sept. 9 and held on $3,000 cash bond.

Josefina M. Cabrera

Renee S. Atkins, 53, Bourbon, was arrested on her warrant Sept. 10 and held on $3,000 cash bond.

Formal charges have been filed on Dustin Whitaker and Justin P. Sanders for allegedly obtaining unemployment while they were incarcerated in the Marshall County Jail. Both men are currently incarcerated at Westville Correctional Facility on an unrelated charges.

Josefina M. Cabrera, 33, Plymouth, was arrested on Oct. 10 and has been booked at the Marshall County Jail. Her bond was set at $3,000 cash.

Amy Reese, 45, North Liberty, had an arrest warrant issued, but it was recalled after an attorney entered an appearance on her behalf in Marshall County Superior Court 3.

Alicia D. Ark, 24, whose last known address was Nappanee, and Joe C. Shepherd, 51, whose last known address was Bourbon, have warrants issued for their arrests. The current location of Ark and Shepherd are unknown. Anyone with information on Ark or Shepherd is asked to contact the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department at (574) 936-3187.