Culver man in Starke County Jail for vicarious sexual gratification and obstruction of justice

Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at 2:00 AM

By Kathy Bottorff

A man from Culver is in the Starke County Jail on a $6,000 cash bond after Starke County requested assistance from the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department with an investigation involving a 10-year-old girl.

Early Friday mornin, around 1:35 a.m., the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department received a call from the Starke County Sheriff’s Department requesting help in investigating an incident that reportedly occurred at a residence in the 11,000 block of State Road 10, west of Culver in Starke County.

Marshall County Patrolmen Matt Geiger and Robert Williams initially responded to the residence, with 1st Sergeant Nick Laffoon arriving shortly afterward.

Arriving at the scene, officers were informed of an alleged incident involving a 10-year-old female juvenile and an adult male, later identified as David P. Howard, 42, of Culver.

During the investigation, evidence showed that Howard had performed a sex act in front of the child. Preliminary information obtained at the scene also suggested that Howard is suspected of trying to destroy evidence related to the incident.

Howard was detained at the scene and later transported to the Starke County Jail, where he was lodged for vicarious sexual gratification and obstruction of justice. He is currently held there on a $6,000 cash bond.

Readers are reminded that charging information supported by an affidavit of probable cause is merely an allegation that a crime has been committed and that there is only probable cause to believe a crime has been committed. They are presumed innocent throughout the proceedings and are entitled to be represented by counsel and entitled to a trial by jury at which the State is obligated to provide proof beyond a reasonable doubt before a judgment of guilt may be made.