Dillsboro Woman Charged In Property Damage Incident Outside Dearborn Co. Courthouse

Thursday, November 12, 2020 at 9:36 AM

The incident took place in the early morning hours on November 12.

Samantha Shackleford. Photo by the Dearborn County Sheriff's Office.

(Lawrenceburg, Ind.) – A Dillsboro woman is in custody after allegedly damaging flags, signs and other objects outside the Dearborn County Government Center.

Lawrenceburg Police responded to the complaint on Thursday around 5:14 a.m.

Upon arriving at the scene, police located a female, identified as Samantha Shackleford, 28, standing in the landscaping in front of Hoosier Square.

According to a probable cause affidavit, police observed Shackleford pulling on a damaged mailbox. Several other items were overturned, scattered, and thrown about, including a park bench, ashtray and garbage can.

Police say other items were scattered about in the courthouse parking lot.

A witness told police that Shackleford had been in the courtyard of the courthouse and allegedly grabbed the large flag on the light pole and pulled it down. The witness added that Shackleford tore up additional items, mostly near the Veterans Memorial.

Shackleford allegedly told police that she had been drinking at a nearby bar.

She was taken into custody and charged with Flag Desecration, Public Intoxication and Criminal Mischief.

The Lawrenceburg Police Department said the incident does not appear to be politically motivated at this time.