UPDATE: LaPorte Co. councilman accused of illegally entering home; attorney responds

A LaPorte County councilman has been charged with illegally entering a residence, which is a Level 6 felony.

John Sullivan, 57, of Wanatah in LaPorte County, surrendered to police Friday after a warrant was issued for his arrest, according to a release issued Friday by the Indiana State Police.

An investigation reportedly began in May, with police discovering early on that Sullivan was a councilman. Sullivan had also served for eight years as the LaPorte County coroner.

During the course of the investigation, which police say spanned three months, Sullivan "was seen entering a residence that was not his own in the town of Wanatah."

After surrendering, Sullivan reportedly was processed and released on $750 bond.

Later Friday night, attorney Scott Pejic pledged a "vigorous defense" against the allegation, saying that Prosecutor John Espar should have recused himself from the case because it involved an elected official.

Pejic said Espar should have followed the lead of Sheriff John Boyd, who "has a policy that anytime potential charges involve a local elected official, they are sent to the Indiana State Police."

The defense of Sullivan also noted the councilman is a longtime firefighter and "classic good Samaritan who would stop by the side of the road if he thought someone was in distress, just like he checked on a vacant home next to the Cass Township fire station when he thought something didn't look right."