DATE: July 12, 2025
SUBJECT: Search Warrant Leads to Multiple Arrests
RELEASE NUMBER: 2025-NR-0712
CONTACT: Major Matt Corn
AUTHORITY: Sheriff Noah Robinson
On Saturday, July 12, 2025, at approximately 10:51 a.m., Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office (VCSO) Deputies responded to a residence in the 5400-Block of Elmhurst Drive to serve a judicially signed search warrant related to a narcotics investigation. Upon arrival, Deputies successfully detained five individuals outside the residence without incident.
While clearing the first floor, Deputies determined that a subject was hiding in the basement. In an effort to de-escalate the situation, VCSO Crisis Negotiators were requested to respond to the scene. Attempts to communicate with the subject in the basement, later identified as Joseph Walker Jr., were unsuccessful via voice and PA system for nearly two hours. A VCSO drone was also used to search the residence to look for Mr. Walker.
At approximately 1:23 p.m., chemical agents were introduced into the basement in an effort to gain compliance. Mr. Walker began yelling and ran up the basement stairs. As Deputies attempted to detain him, a physical struggle ensued resulting in a Deputy being kicked in the abdomen. Mr. Walker continued to resist Deputies and refused to comply with commands, forcing Deputies to successfully deploy a Taser. Mr. Walker was then taken into custody. Mr. Walker subsequently provided false statements about his identity in efforts to mislead Deputies. Deputies discovered that Mr. Walker has an active felony warrant out of Texas.
Mr. Walker was initially evaluated by AMR and decontaminated for chemical agent exposure by members of the McCutchanville Fire Department. He was transported to Deaconess Midtown Hospital for further evaluation and will later booked into the Vanderburgh County Confinement Center (VCCC) on multiple charges related to the incident.
All other occupants of the residence were cooperative with Deputies and William Haggard and Dianna Caldwell and were booked into the Vanderburgh County Jail without incident. The investigation is ongoing and additional charges and arrests are possible as Deputies continue to process and review evidence.
Arrested:
Joseph Walker Jr, 34, of Evansville, IN
Charges:
- Battery Against Public Safety Official (Level 6 Felony)
- Obstruction of Justice (Level 6 Felony)
- Possession of a Syringe (Level 6 Felony)
- Possession of a Cocaine (Level 6 Felony)
- Resisting Law Enforcement (Class A Misdemeanor)
- False Reporting/False Informing (Class B Misdemeanor)
- Possession of Marijuana (Class B Misdemeanor)
- Possession of Paraphernalia (Class B Misdemeanor)
Arrested:
William Haggard, 43, of Evansville, IN
Charges:
- Possession of a Syringe (Level 6 Felony)
- Possession of Paraphernalia (Class B Misdemeanor)
- Possession of Marijuana (Class B Misdemeanor)
- Possession of Heroin (Level 6 Felony)
Arrested:
Dianna Caldwell, 32, of Evansville, IN
Charges:
- Possession of a Syringe (Level 6 Felony)
- Possession of Marijuana (Class B Misdemeanor)
- Possession of Paraphernalia (Class B Misdemeanor)
Presumption of Innocence Notice: The fact that a person has been arrested or charged with a crime is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.
-END-