MITCHELL – A Mitchell man is facing multiple felony charges, including intimidation with a deadly weapon and battery on a law enforcement officer, following a volatile domestic incident on Saturday, July 19, 2025.
The incident began around 12:30 a.m. on July 19th when Lawrence County Dispatch received a cell phone crash detection alert near Kelso Road. Sgt. Whitney Daugherty-Anderson of the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department responded, assisted by Mitchell Police Officers A. McKinley and J. McMillian.
Upon arrival, Sgt. Daugherty-Anderson found a vehicle with its flashers on and alarm sounding. A male, later identified as Thompson, was seen walking into the residence. Officers initially spoke with a female who stated that everything was fine, although she had been informed about the crash alert. Officers noted Thompson appeared to have been drinking. He smelled of alcohol and had an unsteady walk. His knuckles were bleeding, and he admitted to punching the vehicle’s screen, stating the “car was stupid.”
As officers began to leave, the situation escalated dramatically. The female ran outside, yelling that Thompson had a sword and her children were inside the residence. Sgt. Daugherty-Anderson stood at the doorway, she heard a bang, and Thompson emerged from a bedroom with a visible sword in his hand, walking towards the officers. Sgt. Daugherty-Anderson slammed the storm door shut, and officers drew their duty weapons, giving commands for Thompson to drop the sword.
Thompson eventually dropped the sword and was commanded to kick it away, which he did. He was then ordered to walk backward with his hands behind his head. Upon reaching the officers, Thompson was pulled to the ground and restrained. He reportedly became highly combative, resisting and yelling as he was being cuffed.
After Thompson was secured, the female provided further details, stating that after officers initially tried to leave, Thompson grabbed her by the neck and threatened, “Do you want to go get them now?” and “If they had come near my kids, I would have killed someone.” She also directed officers to the bedroom where the sword was typically kept, where two small children were found sleeping in a bed.
Thompson continued to be combative during transport to IU Health Bedford for medical clearance, where his preliminary breath test (PBT) at the jail later showed a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.199. During transport to jail, Thompson allegedly threatened an officer, stating, “You thought a sword was bad; just wait.”
Thompson was subsequently released into the custody of the jail staff. The sword was collected as evidence, and the Department of Child Services (DCS) was contacted regarding the incident involving the children.
Thompson is facing charges of battery on a law enforcement officer, domestic battery, and intimidation with a deadly weapon.
A Probable Cause Affidavit outlines the initial findings and allegations that led to an arrest. Criminal charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
