Suspect in Powell County rape faces charges in standoff

HAMILTON, Mont. (AP) - A man who was being sought on suspicion of rape and resisting arrest in Powell County faces charges after a weekend standoff in Ravalli County.

Darren Taylor Walp was expected to appear in Justice Court Tuesday afternoon on a felony criminal endangerment charge, the Ravalli Republic reported. He did not have an attorney Tuesday morning, prosecutors said.

Walp, 34, was arrested early Sunday in Hamilton after a 20-hour standoff. Police Chief Ryan Oster said Walp told officers he had a handgun and was going to force a confrontation. Officers say he was not armed.

Powell County Sheriff Scott Howard told The Associated Press that he arrested Walp on Thursday near Garrison on a warrant charging him with sexual intercourse without consent, but that Walp fled before he could be handcuffed.

Howard said Walp apparently was able to get a ride into the Salmon, Idaho area. He then traveled to Hamilton and had called for a cab to give him a ride to the bus station in Missoula when officers received a tip as to his location.

"Our officer talked with the cab people, and they worked out a deal to allow one of our officers to drive the cab over to get him," Oster said.

Walp was outside waiting for the cab when something caused him to run back into the house, Oster said.

"I think he may have seen a patrol car," Oster said.

After about 20 hours of negotiations, Walp surrendered at 6:30 a.m. Sunday. He also faces a resisting arrest charge in Powell County and allegations that he absconded from parole in New Jersey, Howard said.