From Decatur County Sheriff Bill Meyerrose
On December 5, 2023 at approximately 7:45 PM, Deputy Niculy Polley of the Decatur
County Sheriff’s Dept. was monitoring traffic on I74. Deputy Polley observed a vehicle
heading westbound with only one headlight operating. As Deputy Polley followed the
vehicle, the vehicle was traveling at eighty-eight (88) miles per hour, well above the
posted speed limit. Deputy Polley attempted to stop the vehicle and after stopping
briefly, the vehicle left the traffic stop at a high rate of speed, reaching speeds in excess
of one hundred ten (110) miles per hour.
Deputy Polley pursued the vehicle as it entered Shelby County, where tire deflation
devices were deployed by deputies of the Shelby County Sheriff’s Dept. As the vehicle
came to a stop, a male exited the vehicle from the front, passenger door and fled on foot.
A female then exited the vehicle, through the same door, and fled on foot while carrying
an infant child.
Deputy Polley and other officers pursued the male on foot and captured him. The female
and child were located shortly thereafter. The male was subsequently identified as
Joseph Lamont Butler, 21 years of age, of Indianapolis, IN. The female was identified as
Tyshiana Alize Sharee Fultz, 22 years of age, also of Indianapolis, IN. The infant was 11
months of age and the child of Butler and Fultz. Dept. of Child Services was contacted
and assisted in securing placement of the child.
During a probable cause search of the vehicle, a magazine for a firearm was located. A
firearm for which the magazine was intended was later located near where Butler was
taken into custody. The vehicle was determined to be stolen out of Marion County, IN.
It was also determined that Butler was wanted out of Marion County, IN on two arrest
warrants.
Butler was arrested and charged with allegations involving:
Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Serious Violent Felon, a Level 4 Felony
Neglect of a Dependent, a Level 6 Felony
Resisting Law Enforcement, Class A Misdemeanor, and
Possession of Marijuana, a Class A Misdemeanor.
Fultz was arrested and charged with allegations involving:
Resisting Law Enforcement, a Level 6 Felony
Neglect of a Dependent, a Level 6 Felony
Theft, a Level 6 Felony
Possession of Marijuana, a Class B Misdemeanor, and
Reckless Driving, a Class C Misdemeanor
Assisting in this investigation were the following agencies:
Decatur County Communications
Greensburg Police Dept.
Shelby County Sheriff’s Dept.
Shelby County EMS
Indiana State Police
Dept. of Child Services
Under the law, criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed
to be innocent unless and until they are proven guilty in a court of law.