Non-lethal force used during arrest by Scott County Sheriff's Deputies for resisting law enforcement /unlawful possession of a syringe.

Scott County-On December 15 at approximately 3:50am, F/SGT Charlie Morgan attempted to stop a vehicle on Interstate 65 that failed to move over or slow down as required by law. Morgan was assisting the Scottsburg City Police with a vehicle stop when he observed a white cargo van nearly strike the stationary Scottsburg City Police vehicle, which was sitting stationary on the berm of the interstate with emergency lights illuminated.  F/SGT Morgan attempted to perform a traffic stop on the van, following it with emergency lights and siren in service for several miles before the van abruptly stopped near the 34 mile marker in northern Scott County.  The driver, later identified as NICOLAE DICUSARA, 36, of Columbus, Indiana was eventually taken into custody after F/SGT Morgan deployed his department issued "less lethal 12 gauge bean bag shotgun", firing one round into DICUSARA after DICUSARA failed to comply with officer commands.  NICOLAE DICUSARA was transported to and incarcerated at the Scott County Security Center in Scottsburg.  DICUSARA was charged with the following;

*** Resisting Law Enforcement (Level 1 Misdemeanor), Resisting Law Enforcement by use of a vehicle (Level 6 Felony), and Unlawful Possession of a Syringe (Level 6 Felony).

NOTE: Sheriff Goodin commends F/SGT Morgan for his use of the "less lethal tool" issued to him and to all Deputies of the Scott County Sheriff's Office...the goal is to use the least amount of force necessary during any arrest of a citizen, providing a blanket of safety for the citizen and Deputies alike.

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Contact Sheriff Jerry Goodin at Scott County Sheriff's Office (812)752-8400.

All subjects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.