On August 17, 2009 at 12:22 a.m. Indiana State Trooper Ginger Marshall initiated a traffic stop on a suspected drunk driver near Winchester and Xenia streets on the south side of Marion County.  Upon stopping the 2005 white Toyota a white male later positively identified by Trooper Marshall as Michael L. Kessler, 48, Columbus fled on foot east bound on Stop 11 road. 

Trooper Marshall chased Kessler on foot and tripped him and was able to get one handcuff on his right arm.  Kessler proceeded to swing around and strike Trooper Marshall in the head with a closed fist.  Trooper Marshall then maced the suspect at which time he got on top of Trooper Marshall and began to choke her and strike her again with a closed fist before he fled on foot. Trooper Marshall sustained a cut to her hand and head pain.  She was not hospitalized.

Since the incident, Indiana State Police have been in constant contact with family members and known associates of Kessler attempting to locate him.  Sergeant Ryan Harmon, a detective with the Indiana State Police whom is currently assigned to the U.S. Marshall's Task Force, spent days working closely with Kessler's family in hopes they would reach out to Kessler for a peaceful surrender.  On Friday, August 28, 2009, at approximately 7:00 p.m., Sergeant Harmon was contacted by Michael Kessler's son, Brandon.  Brandon negotiated a deal with Sergeant Harmon where as Michael Kessler would voluntarily surrender himself to authorities on today's date.  Today, at approximately 5:48 p.m. Michael Kessler turned himself in at the Marion County Arrestee Processing Center where he is currently being held without bond due to a parole violation.    

ARRESTED AND CHARGES:

            Michael L. Kessler, 48, Columbus, IN.

1.       Parole Violation - Habitual Traffic Violator - Class C Felony

2.      Parole Violation -  Resisting Law Enforcement - Class D Felony

3.      Habitual Traffic Violator - Class C Felony

4.      Resisting Law Enforcement - Class D Felony

5.      Battery Resulting in Injury - Class D Felony

6.      Resisting Law Enforcement - Class A Misdemeanor  

Investigating Officer:  Sergeant Ryan Harmon

Assisting Agencies:  Marion County Sheriff's Department and U.S. Marshall's Task Force