Police release name of suspect in disappearance of local teen

Jasper Police on Thursday released additional information concerning the recent disappearance of a local teen and her discovery in Indiana, along with the arrest of the adult man that is accused of taking her there. Police Chief Gerald Hall, who was a guest on the weekly program "Talk of the Town" on KJAS said he and others believed that Tristan Kalobbe Martin, 27, of Indiana had been communicating with 15-year-old Oliviona McFarland of Jasper for up to a year before he finally arrived her in town on Saturday and took her to Indiana. Hall said that he and others believe that Martin had been telling McFarland that he was in love with her and also "grooming her" for the encounter. Hall said shortly after McFarland was reported missing by her parents, he and others asked the Federal Bureau of Investigation for help and within short time, the federal authorities had used cell phone information to find Martin and McFarland in Cloverdale, Indiana which is southwest of Indianapolis. Hall said authorities there were notified and within a short time the two were located and Martin was taken into custody. Lt. Garrett Foster said that so far, Martin has only been charged with Online Solicitation of a Minor in a warrant obtained by the Jasper Police Department. However, Foster said that an investigation by the FBI was still underway and Martin would most likely also soon be charged with federal offenses. Foster said Martin was being held at the Putnam County Jail in Greencastle, Indiana. Hall said Thursday that the incident here should be a reminder to local parents to know who their children are talking or communicating with at all times. He said "It's important that you know who they are talking to."