Selma man accused of threatening to behead Delaware County judges

MUNCIE, Ind. — A Selma man has been accused of threatening to behead Delaware County's five Circuit Court judges.

William Edward Dalton Jr., 58, is preliminarily charged with five counts of intimidation, a Level 6 felony carrying up to 30 months in prison.

According to an investigator with the Delaware County's Sheriff's Department, Dalton — arrested Friday after he allegedly threatened to kill his cousin — became agitated Monday while being interviewed by probation department employees.

Dalton "said that the judges can all go to hell, and if the judges didn't let him out of jail, he was going to cut all their heads off," the deputy wrote.

According to a report, Dalton also "referred to himself as Billy the Kid, and said that he was above everyone else other than Jesus himself."

The Selma man's Friday arrest came after his cousin, who lives on Muncie's north side, reported Dalton threatened to kill him unless he bought him a camper.

In a text message, Dalton allegedly warned the cousin that he would "blow your -------- head off" and "send you the deepest, deepest depths of ------- hell."

The cousin said he had "no idea what (Dalton) is talking about and does not have the money to buy a camper for William," a deputy wrote.

When approached by deputies at his home, Dalton was reportedly in a pickup truck with its windows covered and allegedly told deputies he would shoot them.

After he was taken into custody, deputies reported finding a loaded handgun in the truck.

Dalton was preliminarily charged with four counts of intimidation over Friday's events. Delaware County Prosecutor Eric Hoffman's office will determine whether formal charges will be filed.

The Selma man was being held Tuesday under a $25,000 cash bond.

Court records reflect no prior felony convictions for Dalton.

Douglas Walker is a news reporter at The Star Press. Contact him at 765-213-5851 or at dwalker@muncie.gannett.com.