ODON, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Rammed vehicles, secret surveillance cameras, drugs, cell phone location tracking, phone call threats, and violated protection orders.
These are just some of the crimes listed in a Daviess County probable cause affidavit regarding the arrest of Matthew Cornelius, 45, of Odon, Indiana.
Indiana State Police arrested Cornelius following a brief stand-off and search of his home on April 18.
Improper investigations
In the affidavit, an Indiana State Police investigator writes that they were brought details of crimes allegedly committed by Cornelius including drug possession, stalking, domestic battery, and violation of an emergency protective order.
“He stated that these crimes were being committed by Matthew Cornelius against VICTIM 1. Sergeant Allen also stated that Mr. Cornelius’ father was very wealthy and influential in Daviess County and these crimes were not properly investigated.”
Probable Cause Affidavit filed in Daviess County Court
A Department of Children’s Services social worker told police that DCS had investigated nine incidents of domestic battery committed by Cornelius, however, none of the crimes resulted in criminal charges being filed. DCS workers attempted to get Cornelius to take drug tests, however he reportedly told them he had been ordained as a “medicine man” from a Native American tribe and was allowed to legally possess marijuana and psychedelic mushrooms.
“She (Victim 1) said that the police were called to her home on April 5th or 6th (she was unsure of the date), 2024, due to Mr. Cornelius trespassing. She said that during this encounter, the police learned that an EPO was issued against VICTIM to protect Mr. Cornelius and the children from her. She said the police were shocked that Judge would issue an EPO and remove the children from her custody. She said that the local police were shocked due to Mr. Cornelius’ drug use and history of violence. The Victim Advocate stated that in all of her years working as a Victim Advocate, she has never seen a Judge make such ruling. She said that the Judge ordered an interlock to be placed on VICTIM 1’s vehicle without having an evidential hearing. She was also ordered to be drug tested by utilizing hair follicle test.”
Probable Cause Affidavit Filed in Daviess County Court
Vehicle ramming incident
A DCS worker also told police about an incident during which Cornelius reportedly used his father’s vehicle to ram Victim 1’s vehicle after she had picked up the kids from school when she was notified that Cornelius had not done so by school employees.
The victim explained that she took the children to Cornelius’ parent’s house, and when Cornelius arrived he was angry she had the children. When the victim refused to roll her window down to speak with Cornelius he reportedly threatened to ram her vehicle and then did so.
“Several children were present when the incident occurred. The Daviess County Sheriff’s Office arrived and a deputy interviewed VICTIM 2, VICTIM 3, VICTIM 4, and VICTIM 5, all of which are juveniles. Allegedly, they all stated that Mr. Cornelius had done nothing wrong. However, a third unrelated juvenile who was in the vehicle said it was an intentional ram,” the document reads.
“The Daviess County Sheriff’s Office was contacted and responded, however, according to VICTIM 1, the deputy spoke with Mr. Cornelius’ parents first, then Matthew Cornelius, and then, finally, her. After the investigation, no enforcement action was taken,” the PCA reads.
Tracking and abuse
Victim 1 gave police multiple recordings and pieces of technology that she claimed Cornelius used to continue to stalk her even after a protective order was put in place. One such piece of technology was a camera she said Cornelius placed after breaking into to her home and angling the camera to view her bed. Another was a cell phone attached to a portable charger that was found in the luggage pouch on the back of a seat in her vehicle, as well as two Apple ID tags.
“VICTIM 1 discussed an incident that occurred in August of 2023 where Mr. Cornelius had pinned her against the wall, choking her in front of her children,” Police wrote.
Another victim, listed as VICTIM 6, told police that in February she had woken up to Cornelius standing near her inside her residence. She said the man was angry and wanted to know where Victim 1 was. She reportedly told Cornelius to leave. “She also said she witnessed Mr. Cornelius strangle and batter VICTIM 1 inside her apartment in 2023.”
Threatening Messages
In a review of the phone recordings given to police, an ISP investigator found Cornelius to be “angry and threatening” as well as stating that he seemed paranoid and controlling, wanting to know the victim’s whereabouts and who she was with.
“In this recording, Mr. Cornelius stated that VICTIM 1 is going to f*** him daily and b*** him weekly. He stated that VICTIM 1 is his piece of a** and if she f***s anyone else he will shoot her. Mr. Cornelius threatens to kill VICTIM 1 and bury her under the pond,” police wrote.
Another recording claimed that the victim would “get f***ed up very soon, walk with a limp, and have an accident very soon.”
Another stated that the victim would be punched in the mouth and that she “deserves to be smacked.”
In speaking with police, Cornelius reportedly admitted that it was his voice on the phone, but downplayed the statements as “sexual roleplaying.”
Search and arrest
On April 18, an ISP SWAT team surrounded the residence and ordered Cornelius to exit the building. Police wrote that he didn’t surrender immediately and was observed moving about the residence with his child. After 20 minutes the two exited the residence and Cornelius surrendered.
Police reported finding methamphetamine, marijuana, psychedelic mushrooms, and drug paraphernalia. They also located a shotgun that was found among children’s toys in a playroom that was later learned to be stolen from Cornelius’ father.
Police also located markings on both the victim’s residential door and vehicle door that appeared to show someone had previously broken into them with tools.
Police also located a bedroom that had been secured with a keypad lock that reportedly contained numerous sex toys … and a hobby horse.
“The floor was covered in used condoms, a penis pump, and clothing with white stains,” the document reads. “The troopers and I on scene were shocked, as we had never witnessed anything like this.”
Where does the case go from here?
Cornelius was placed under arrest and taken to the Daviess County Jail.
He faces the following charges:
- Burglary of a dwelling
- A level 4 felony
- Stalking where def violates a protective order
- A level 5 felony
- Stalking with use of a tracking device
- A level 5 felony
- Domestic battery by means of a deadly weapon
- A level 5 felony
- Neglect of a dependent
- A level 6 felony
- Residential Entry (x2)
- A level 6 felony
- Intimidation (x3)
- A level 6 felony
- Possession of methamphetamine
- A level 6 felony
- Possession of marijuana
- A class A misdemeanor
- Possession of a controlled substance
- A class A misdemeanor
Daviess County Jail officials in the booking department confirmed that Cornelius is being held on a bond of $500,000 with 10% allowed. However, they noted he is “also being held for a PTR Warrant with no bond due to a previous violation.”
Court officials in Daviess County said a special judge has been asked to preside over the case and that an initial hearing date will be scheduled between the judge and the attorneys involved soon.
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