Man Charged With Intimidation After Dispute On Basketball Court
Staff Report
WINONA LAKE — An Etna Green man was arrested after allegedly threatening two youths with a knife following an altercation at a Winona Lake park.
Jacob Adam Cullison, 39, 222 E. High St., Etna Green, is charged with intimidation, a level 5 felony; and battery and disorderly conduct, both class B misdemeanors.
On July 10, a Winona Lake Police officer went to Winona Lake Limitless Park regarding a fight at the basketball courts. Upon arrival at the scene, the officer noticed a group of children standing near a sidewalk. One of the children had a swollen mouth and blood on his lips. The youth said he was playing basketball with a group.
According to court documents, some of the youths were trash-talking during the game, which led to a fight.
One of the youths then called his mother who sent Cullison to the park. When Cullison arrived, he was upset and confronted the second child. The second child and a third child approached Cullison, punched him and threw a basketball at him.
Collison is accused of brandishing a pocket knife during the incident.
Court documents state Cullison told officers he did pull out a knife during the incident, but he put it back in his pocket.
After concluding interviews, officers obtained surveillance video from the park that showed the incident transpiring. In the video, two youths can be seen fighting before one walks off the court, appearing to be injured. About 10 minutes later, Cullison is shown grabbing the second child’s arm and attempting to punch him. The third child then throws a basketball at Cullison and the second child punches Cullison in the face.
Cullison is shown advancing toward the youths while retrieving a knife from his pocket. As they left the court, Cullison appeared to fold the knife and place it back into his pocket.
Cullison has already been arrested and released on bond. He has an initial hearing at 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 1, in Kosciusko Superior Court One.