Staff Report

David Jules Esterline Sr.

COLUMBIA CITY – A Columbia City man was recently arrested after admitting to molesting a child, according to police.

David Jules Esterline Sr., 57, 710 W. Park Drive, Columbia City, is charged with three counts of child molesting, all level 1 felonies; and three counts of child molesting, all level 4 felonies.

On Aug. 1, a Columbia City Police officer went to the Columbia City Police Department to speak with a man in the lobby who wanted to turn himself in. The man, later identified as Esterline, admitted to molesting a child about two years ago.

While preparing to interview Esterline, the officer asked a Columbia City detective to speak with one of Esterline’s relatives about his confession. The relative said someone told her Esterline had molested a child. When the relative confronted him about the allegations, Esterline admitted to molesting the child two to three years earlier. The family member urged Esterline to turn himself in or she was going to contact the police.

In his interview with police, Esterline described the molestations in detail. He said he inappropriately touched the child and that the child inappropriately touched him.

Esterline also told officers he never forced the child to do anything sexual and that he never forced or asked them to do anything sexual to him. He said he knew his behavior was wrong and felt sick thinking about what happened.

Officers contacted the child’s mother about the molestations. The mother said her child told her Esterline molested them.

One of Esterline’s relatives told officers that Esterline had a problem with child pornography a few years ago and that his family took measures to stop him. Esterline’s family did not allow him on electronic devices without supervision.

Esterline was booked in the Whitley County Jail on Aug. 1.