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Stephen A Schemenauer, 46 years old of South Bend Indiana led guilty to concealing a material fact, and federal procurement fraud. He was sent to 24 months in prison, followed by one year of supervised release in order to pay $225,000. He falsified documents in order to gain money from clients and the government. @93wibc

U.S. Army veteran, whose life was saved in Iraq by fellow soldier celebrating 10 years of new life this Veterans Day PLAINFIELD, Ind. — Two decades ago, in the early days of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Russell Broughton and Andrew Coughlan slept under the same desert skies, fighting in the same company just tents apart. They never spoke, never shook hands, and knew each other only as distant faces in a crowded war zone. Yet this Veterans Day, as Broughton celebrates ten years of vibrant, healthy life, the two men are bound by a brotherhood forged in sacrifice and sealed by a second chance at life. Their story begins in the turbulent autumn of 2001. Enlisting in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, both young men were driven by a shared urge to serve. Broughton, then a 19-year-old from St. Charles, Missouri, had joined the U.S. Army just eight days before the attacks; Coughlan signed up shortly after from his home state of Florida. Both were deployed to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom, enduring heavy combat in adjacent platoons near Iskandariyah. In 2004, enemy mortar rounds rained down on Coughlan’s base. In a split second that would echo across decades, 20-year-old Pvt. First Class Charles Persing of Albany, Louisiana, threw himself over Coughlan, acting as a human shield. Persing lost his life that day, but his ultimate sacrifice spared Coughlan. Medically discharged due to his injuries, Coughlan returned stateside, while Broughton remained in uniform. During his third tour near Kirkuk, Broughton survived a massive 2,000-pound truck bomb detonation that killed Staff Sgt. Tyler Pickett—whose quick action saved the rest of the base. Broughton walked away with a fractured hip and continued to serve until 2013, earning two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star Medal across four overseas deployments. However, the lingering trauma from his injuries masked a quieter, deadlier enemy. Routine blood work prior to a hip surgery revealed that Broughton was suffering from severe degenerative kidney disease. By 2014, living in Plainfield, Indiana, Broughton was tethered to a dialysis machine four hours a day, three days a week. "My body was in a sharp decline," Broughton recalled. "I was struggling to be the man I wanted to be and the father I wanted to be." When a severe bout of sepsis nearly took his life in 2015, a desperate Broughton turned to social media, posting a final, hopeful request on Facebook seeking a living kidney donor. Thousands of miles away in Florida, Coughlan saw the post. Recognizing the name of a brother-in-arms from his old unit, Coughlan quietly began testing at a local medical center without telling Broughton. "I didn't want him to get his hopes up," Coughlan said. The results came back: a match. Coughlan flew to Indiana, and at IU Health’s University Hospital, surgeons successfully transplanted Coughlan’s kidney into Broughton. Ten years later, the bond between the two remains unbreakable. Coughlan has continued his life of service, later donating bone marrow to a teenager with leukemia and currently working for the Wounded Warrior Project in Arizona to assist fellow veterans. Broughton used his forced downtime during dialysis to earn a college degree and now works as an accountant in Indiana. Reflecting on his decade of "new life," Broughton knows his survival—and his ability to watch his daughters grow, graduate high school, and enter college—hinges on a chain of courage that started on a battlefield in Iraq. "Without Charles Persing, Andrew wouldn’t be here today," Broughton said. "And neither would I. I never could have experienced any of this if it wasn’t for Andrew stepping forward, and he couldn’t have done that without the bravery of Charles. They’re both my heroes." (First photo is Andrew Coughlan, with wife Ashley and daughters Maddison and Emery, second photo is Russell Broughton of Plainfield, Indiana, with daughters Abigail and Sophia and third photo is Pvt. First Class Charles Persing.) @93wibc

St. Joseph County – The St. Joseph County Prosecutor’s Office filed a felony murder charge against 36-year-old Terell Howard of South Bend on Monday, November 9, 2026.  That includes Felony Firearm Enhancement.  Mr. Howard is accused of killing 34-year-old Jeffrey Sheppard of South Bend in a shooting early in the morning on Sunday, November 1, 2026.  Mr. Howard was arraigned this afternoon and ordered held without bond. Count 1:  Murder with Felony Firearm Enhancement The sentencing range for a murder conviction is 45-65 years.  The Felony Firearm Enhancement could add 8-20 years in prison. The St. Joseph County Prosecutor’s Office would like to extend our sympathies to the family and friends of Jeffrey Sheppard.  We would also like to commend the officers who helped in this investigation, including SBPD Afternoon Patrol, SBPD Violent Crimes Unit, SBPD Strategic Focus Unit and Indiana State Police. @93wibc

KOKOMO, Ind. — A former police officer in Kokomo was sentenced to 40 years in prison for kidnapping and sexually assaulting a 14-year-old. 33-year-old Sinmi Asomuyide appeared in United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana on Wednesday to receive his sentence, which will be followed by three years of supervised release. Following a five-day trial in June, he was convicted on federal charges of deprivation of rights under color of law, witness tampering, and destruction of records. Two years ago, Asomuyide was charged in Howard County with minor sexual misconduct, sexual battery, child seduction, and official misconduct. Those charges were dismissed once the federal case began. Court documents state that in June 2024, Asomuyide worked with the Kokomo Police Department as a probationary officer and was involved in tracking down a runaway 14-year-old girl. Asomuyide eventually found the girl and brought her to a local youth center. Before being picked up and taken home, Asomuyide and the girl exchanged phone numbers. The girl later said that Asomuyide tracked her phone and suddenly appeared at her home, wanting her to leave with him. The victim said Asomuyide proceeded to handcuff her and force her into his squad car. He drove to an abandoned warehouse parking lot, where he sexually assaulted her. @93wibc

PORTER COMMENTS ON THE IEDC’S AGREEMENT WITH OKLO INC.  INDIANAPOLIS — During today's meeting of the State Budget Committee, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) sought $20 million to buy land for Oklo Inc.'s $1.5 billion medical isotope production project in Boone County. It was unclear from the delayed agenda or the documentation provided by the agency whether the project could advance the possible construction of a small modular nuclear reactor (SMR). Concerns about a lack of transparency arise from an agreement between the IEDC and Oklo Inc., which appears to permit the generation of nuclear energy.   State Rep. Gregory W. Porter (D-Indianapolis) released the following statement about today's proceedings:   "The IEDC’s actions at today’s meeting showed a complete disregard for Hoosier taxpayers. The lying and secrecy at the LEAP District continue. Indiana Republicans have given the IEDC a blank check, keeping taxpayers on the hook for over $1 billion and counting. The IEDC's lies of omission today about the Oklo partnership and a potential nuclear site are a gross overreach of power by a single government agency. Rest assured, I will continue to seek answers from the IEDC, especially about this potential nuclear project. @93wibc

Sen. Banks’ Bipartisan RISE Act Passes Senate WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last night, the Senate passed Senator Jim Banks’ (R-Ind.) bipartisan Respond, Innovate, Succeed, and Empower (RISE) Act, legislation that would cut red tape for students with documented disabilities seeking to receive accommodations in college. Banks introduced the RISE Act with Senators Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) and Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA). The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee advanced the RISE Act unanimously on July 30. Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.) and Erin Houchin (R-Ind.) are leading the companion legislation in the House. Sen. Jim Banks (R-Ind.): “Students with disabilities shouldn’t have to pay for costly and duplicative testing to prove a disability that they’ve already documented. My bipartisan RISE Act slashes red tape, removes unnecessary barriers, and ensures students receive the support they need to succeed.” Approximately 15 percent of public-school students receive services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. However, students entering college are often required to undergo and pay for new diagnostic testing before receiving accommodations—even when their disability has already been documented. Key Provisions of the RISE Act: Closes a loophole that often requires students with documented disabilities to undergo new, costly diagnostic testing to qualify for accommodations. Makes school policies regarding disability services more transparent for students and families so they can make an informed decision on the college that best fits their needs. Requires universities to collect and report key data related to undergraduate students who are registered as students with disabilities to the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Provides additional support and authorizes funds for technical assistance to help colleges and universities to serve those with disabilities better. The legislation is endorsed by the National Center for Learning disabilities, Association of Public and Land-grant Universities, American Council on Education, Association on Higher Education and Disability, American Psychological Association, Autism Society of America, National Disability Rights Network, National Down Syndrome Society, Autism Speaks, The Arc of the United States, and numerous other education and disability advocacy organizations. @93wibc