Welfare Check at Park Jefferson Apartments leads to arrest of Knox man

Wednesday, April 15, 2026 at 12:00 AM

By Kathy Bottorff

A request for a welfare check on Monday evening resulted in the arrest of a 30-year-old Knox man on multiple charges, including possession of methamphetamine.

At approximately 6:54 p.m. on April 13th, officers from the Plymouth Police Department were dispatched to the Park Jefferson Apartments on West Jefferson Street. A caller had reported seeing a male subject slumped over in a black-top Ford Mustang in the parking lot with the vehicle's door open.

Officer Fisher arrived at the scene and located the vehicle at the back of the apartment complex. The officer found the male sitting unresponsive in the driver's seat. Although the officer was initially able to wake the man, he quickly fell back asleep.

When questioned by law enforcement, the subject initially provided officers with a false name. He was eventually positively identified as Dakota Elder, 30, of Knox.

Paramedics from the Plymouth Fire Department arrived on the scene to evaluate the situation. Elder subsequently woke up and refused medical treatment.

Following an investigation at the scene, officers determined that Elder had methamphetamine. He was taken into custody for drug possession, as well as for providing false information to law enforcement and resisting arrest.

Elder was transported to the Marshall County Jail, where he was booked and is currently being held on a $1,500 cash bond.

Readers are reminded that charging information supported by an affidavit of probable cause is a mere allegation that a crime has been committed and that there is only probable cause to believe a crime has been committed. They are presumed innocent throughout the proceedings and are entitled to be represented by counsel and entitled to a trial by jury at which the State is obligated to provide proof beyond a reasonable doubt before a judgment of guilt may be made.