Chesterton Man Charged With Felony Intimidation After Threatening Police During Arrest
A 57-year-old Chesterton man, James Franklin Else III, is facing a felony intimidation charge and multiple misdemeanors following a traffic stop and arrest Monday morning in Porter County.
According to the probable cause affidavit, the incident occurred on December 22, 2025, when police stopped a black 2010 Chevrolet Malibu after observing the vehicle fail to signal multiple lane changes while traveling near State Road 49 and Interstate 94. The vehicle was ultimately stopped near Hale Avenue and County Road 200 East in Chesterton.
Court documents state Else told police he did not have proof of insurance and did not have a photograph of insurance on his phone. A records check showed Else had a prior conviction for failure to provide proof of insurance in 2018.
During the stop, a K-9 unit conducted a free-air sniff of the vehicle and alerted to the presence of narcotics. A probable cause search did not locate drugs; however, police located broken pieces of railroad crossing signal masts in the trunk. Else told police he “found it on the side of the road.” The items were secured for safekeeping until Else could prove lawful possession, court records state.
Else was arrested for operating a motor vehicle without financial responsibility due to the prior conviction. While being transported to the Porter County Jail, court documents state Else became extremely verbally aggressive toward police.
According to the affidavit, Else called the officer “ni****” and “as*****,” among other names, and made the following statement:
“We need to meet up after this so I can teach you a lesson.”
Police stated in the affidavit that the comment was taken as a threat, forming the basis for the felony intimidation charge.
While Else was being processed at the Porter County Jail, officers reportedly located Suboxone inside his wallet. Court records state Else did not have a valid prescription for the medication, which is classified as a Schedule III controlled substance.
The affidavit further notes Else’s wife has a valid protection order against him with no expiration date. Police stated Else repeatedly requested to contact her and was informed multiple times that he was prohibited from doing so under the order.
Else was booked into the Porter County Jail.
Charges filed December 23,2025:
• Intimidation (Level 6 Felony) – committed because of the victim’s occupation
• Possession of a Controlled Substance (Class A Misdemeanor) – Suboxone
• Operating a Motor Vehicle Without Financial Responsibility – Prior (Class C Misdemeanor)
