Sex offender, second suspect arrested at Center Grove High School

Police arrested two Indianapolis men Thursday at Center Grove High School.

Kevin Smith Tucker, 56, was arrested on charges of unlawful entry of school property by a serious sex offender and possession of a narcotic drug, both felonies, and possession of a controlled substance, a misdemeanor. Wallace J. Evans, 63, was arrested on charges of possession of a firearm on school property, a felony, and possession of a controlled substance, a misdemeanor. The Johnson County Prosecutor’s Office will decide what, if any, charges to file.

Center Grove officers were doing a routine patrol about 11 a.m. on Morgantown Road when they did a license plate check on a van waiting to turn. The results on the check gave a warning saying “sex offender.” The vehicle belonged to Tucker, according to a Center Grove Schools Police Department report.

Police followed the van and pulled it over after it failed to signal properly near the intersection of Trojan Lane and Victory Lane at Center Grove High School, according to the report.

Police spoke to Tucker, and after they ran his information a second time, they confirmed he was a sex offender. Tucker was convicted of rape in 1986 in Tennessee, which he later confirmed to police, the report said.

Officers told Tucker it was illegal for him to be on school property, and he said he did not know it was illegal. He also told police he and his “nephew,” later identified as Evans, were contractors and were heading to the high school to install signage, according to the report.

Tucker later consented to a search of his vehicle and told police there was a handgun inside. They found the gun next to Evans, a passenger. Both men were detained shortly after, the report said.

During the search, officers found multiple pills inside the vehicle, and Tucker admitted they were his. They then searched Tucker and found additional pills, all controlled substances, according to the report.

Tucker told police he did not have a prescription for the pills, and officers also seized a large gray hunting knife from Tucker, the report said.

Center Grove High School notified parents of the arrests Friday. The high school was not locked down at any time during the incident due to the suspects already being in custody, school officials said.

Social media posts led to widespread speculation about what was going on Thursday at the high school, with some questioning why parents weren’t notified on Thursday. School officials acknowledged the social media speculation in the message, and said students were never in danger.

Both men were taken to the Johnson County jail. Tucker is held on $5,200 bond, and Evans is held on $2,200 bond.