Eight-Month Investigation Leads to Arrest of Greentown Man

PERU, Ind.–An eight-month criminal investigation led to the arrest of a man from Greentown on corrupt business influence, fraud, and forgery on Wednesday.

State Police say the investigation into 43-year-old Dustin J. Echelbarger began in October 2024. They say Echelbarger, while working as a salesman at a local farm equipment store, engaged in fraudulent activities by buying, selling, and trading equipment to farmers across northern Indiana.

“It was determined that he collected over $750,000 through fabricated purchase orders and secured more than $650,000 in loans under the names of local farmers,” said State Police Sergeant Steven Glass in a Friday news release.

Echelbarger was served with an arrest warrant from Grant County Superior Court II and incarcerated at the Grant County Jail.

He’s now facing the following charges:

• Corrupt Business Influence – Level 5 Felony
• Fraud (loss between $50,000 and $100,000) – Level 5 Felony (6 counts)
• Fraud (loss between $750 and $50,000) – Level 6 Felony (2 counts)
• Forgery – Level 6 Felony (8 counts)