An eight-month criminal investigation conducted by detectives from the Indiana State Police Peru Post led to the arrest of a Greentown man.
Dustin J. Echelbarger, 43, was arrested on Wednesday.
The investigation began in October 2024 after officers received information regarding potential fraud, forgery, and corrupt business practices. The preliminary investigation revealed that Echelbarger, while working as a salesman at a local farm equipment store, engaged in fraudulent activities by buying, selling, and trading equipment to farmers across northern Indiana. It was determined that he collected over $750,000 through fabricated purchase orders and secured more than $650,000 in loans under the names of local farmers.
Echelbarger was served with an arrest warrant from Grant County Superior Court II and was incarcerated at the Grant County Jail.
Charges against Echelbarger include:
- Corrupt Business Influence – Level 5 Felony
- Fraud (loss between $50,000 and $100,000) – Level 5 Felony (6 counts)
- Fraud (loss between $750 and $50,000) – Level 6 Felony (2 counts)
- Forgery – Level 6 Felony (8 counts)
Sumner boil order ends,trash pickup delayed
IDNR revises waterfowl zone
Two Lawrence County men charged
2026 Miss Illinois County Fair Pageant coming in January
Unit #20 Board hears about heat and new athletic facility proposal
Indiana's state parks offer New Years Day events
Parkview hosts annual school spelling bee
GSH receives accreditation
Crawford County man charged with sex crimes
Voter registration underway in Lawrence County
DNR receives regional award for project on former mine land near Pleasantville
Unit #10 Board hosts project open house
County to assist in Sumner street improvements
BMV announces Christmas and New Year's Day holiday hours
Bridgeport boil order lifted
Gregg Park project to move forward
