More kidnap victims found safe in Boone County

Jacob Musselman, The Lebanon Reporter, Ind.
·2 min read

Aug. 12—Shortly after 6 a.m. Friday, Boone County Communications received a 911 call advising there were three individuals that had been kidnapped out of Lawrence, at the Interstate 65 148 mile-marker northbound rest park.

Boone County Sheriff Office deputies responded to the scene to find Bridgette Cesnik 26, of Lawrence, and two juveniles being held against their will by Jacob Gibson, 27, of Greenfield.

After further investigation it was discovered that the Lawrence Police Department had recently responded to a call in their jurisdiction, searching for Cesnik. Shortly after making that discovery, the Lawrence police were contacted, and its detectives responded to the scene. Lawrence Police detectives took Gibson into custody and he was transported to the Marion County Jail.

"This morning is another great example of teamwork between the community and law enforcement," Boone County Sheriff Mike Nielsen said in a press release. "We have said on many occasions that without your assistance, we could not do what we do. This good Samaritan did the right thing, and now because of their brave and quick actions and the timely response of the BCSO deputies, these three victims are now safe from harm. Great work."

According to Marion County inmate lookup, Gibson is being charged with two counts of kidnapping, three counts of criminal confinement, strangulation, and domestic battery.

This arrest isn't Gibson's first. He has multiple pending cases in multiple counties in Indiana, including ones for dealing in methamphetamine and unlawful possession of a firearm.

Just a few days earlier, on Tuesday, Whitestown Metropolitan Police Department officers stopped a black Ford Mustang on I-865 eastbound to rescue two juveniles who had been kidnapped from Kenosha, Wisconsin. In that incident, Ramogi Caldwell, 23, of North Carolina, and Bresha Goode, 21, of South Carolina, were taken to the Boone County Jail in Lebanon to await extradition to Wisconsin. The juveniles were unharmed.