Crime & Safety
Update: Suspect From Odd Ocean Standoff Ordered to Stand Trial
A judge decided there is enough evidence for John Michael White to stand trial after his attempt to swim and avoid arrest last month.
A judge ruled Monday that a man who spent nearly eight hours in the ocean near the Hotel del Coronado to avoid police must stand trial.
John Michael White, 46, is charged with felony resisting arrest and misdemeanor charges of threatening an officer and obstructing an officer. His trial is due to begin Sept. 3.
The standoff began late June 23 and continued to the next day.
Coronado police said White ran into the surf shortly before 10 p.m. June 23 after officers attempted to take him into custody on a felony narcotics warrant.
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Throughout the night, a shirtless White, who appeared to be under the influence of some type of drug, remained in the ocean, walking in shallow water and at times swimming farther offshore when officers waded toward him, police spokeswoman Lea Corbin said.
About 5:30 a.m the next day, a harbor police dive team was able to take White into custody in the surf off Silver Strand State Beach.
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He was taken to UCSD Medical Center in Hillcrest for an evaluation, after which he was booked on the outstanding warrant and on suspicion of resisting arrest.
– City News Service
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