Former Ind. Officer, Local Police in 4-hour Standoff

A former LaPorte County police officer is under close observation at IU Health LaPorte Hospital after threatening to kill himself when police tried to arrest him on a child molestation charge, police said.

David Oldham, 42, is already facing federal child porn and evidence tampering charges, and on the state level he is charged with child exploitation. He has a hearing in May on those charges.

On Tuesday afternoon, Michigan City police along with deputies from the U.S. Marshal's Service went to Oldham's home on West Andrea Drive in rural LaPorte County to arrest him on a new charge of child molestation, police said.

Circuit Court Judge Thomas Alevizos had issued a warrant for Oldham's arrest for one count of child molesting stemming from a new accusation police started investigating last month.

When police first arrived, Oldham wasn't home. They started to leave but then saw Oldham drive up in a minivan and pull into his driveway, they said. Officers blocked in Oldham's van and tried to make the arrest, but he stayed in his van and became agitated and defensive, police said, noticing he had a gun.

One of the officers tried to use a stun gun on Oldham but was unsuccessful. Police said Oldham then became very upset and started waving the gun around and making threats toward police and himself.

Because Oldham is a 17-year veteran with the LaPorte sheriff's department, was experienced in SWAT procedures and had tactical team training, officers quickly took cover and called for backup, according to police.

Police said they tried to talk Oldham into turning himself in for four hours. During that time, Oldham used his cell phone to call friends, family and one of his attorneys.

Attorney Bryan Truitt, who represents Oldham in his federal case, said he talked to Oldham for 20 minutes.

"I was trying to get things stabilized," he said. "He was very angry, very distraught over what he believes are groundless charges."

Truitt said he finally got Oldham to surrender about 7:30 p.m.

The LaPorte County prosecutor said that once Oldham has undergone a mental evaluation, he will face the new child molesting charge and will be put in jail. The judge has ordered Oldham be held without bond.