*** MEDIA ADVISORY***

December 23, 2014

SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT REACHED IN SOUTH MAIN STREET FORFEITURE ACTION – STORES MAY RE-OPEN UNDER NEW OPERATORS

Media Contact: Curtis T. Hill, Jr. - 296-1888

A settlement agreement has been reached between the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney and the corporate entities which previously operated the Energy Oil station at 1245 S. Main Street, Elkhart and the Handy Spot gas station and convenience store located at 1218/1226 S. Main Street, Elkhart. The agreement allows the stores to re-open as individuals allegedly involved in the distribution of drugs have been removed from those operations. The corporate entity which previously operated the Energy Oil station, Mobeen, Inc., has agreed to disclaim its interest and transfer operation of the convenience store to another independent corporation to re-open the store. The agreement further allows for the reopening of the Handy Spot gas station and convenience store for legitimate business.
Both stores remained closed for approximately six months following the June 2014 seizure, pursuant to Indiana law, following a lengthy investigation into the distribution of synthetic drugs. The Elkhart County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office took action to seize these locations in order to halt the illegal conduct of distributing illegal and dangerous drugs to the public through an otherwise legitimate store front. It is anticipated that the new management structure of each store will adhere to the laws of the State of Indiana. While local law enforcement will remain vigilant in monitoring ongoing activities at these locations, it is hoped that anyone with knowledge that synthetic drugs or other illegal contraband are being distributed from these locations, will report that knowledge to local law enforcement authorities immediately.
The remaining four store fronts seized in the June 2014 raid in Elkhart County remain in litigation in separate forfeiture proceedings.

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Under Indiana law, all persons arrested for a criminal offense are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.