Staff / Crime
Stories by Kevin Hartley 31
Crime
State files misconduct charges against Porter County judge after drunken-driving conviction
The Indiana Commission on Judicial Qualifications says Judge Christopher Buckley invoked his title to seek leniency during his August arrest. A senior judge is hearing his cases.
Crime
Valparaiso man gets 60 years for 2025 Chicago Street shooting death
Kuran Demetrius Kinley, 26, was sentenced Friday in Porter Superior Court for killing JayVeon Triplett, 24, in June 2025. A new plea deal dropped two other counts.
Crime
Hammond man sentenced to 78 years for molesting young child; prosecutor says he is not in custody
Jorge Alberto Patino, 33, was sentenced Thursday in Lake County on three child-molesting counts after a jury convicted him on 14 felonies in September. The prosecutor's office says he is not in custody.
Crime
Portage High School briefly secured after armed parking-lot fight near US 6
Portage police say a man battered a woman, brandished a knife and fled with her after a bystander drew a gun. No shots were fired. A later stolen-vehicle chase near Ameriplex was unrelated.
Crime
Wall of Shame — Porter County bookings (Oct. 13–14)
Six Porter County jail bookings from Tuesday morning to Wednesday morning allege theft, fraud, domestic battery in the presence of a child, intimidation, operating a vehicle while intoxicated, criminal mischief, or battery on a public safety official.
Crime
Second man in Valparaiso fatal shooting released on $5,000 bond
Camilo Chavez, 22, of Lake Station, posted cash bond and was ordered into pretrial monitoring. Antione Pierson Jr., 22, of Portage, remains held on a murder charge; his initial hearing is set for Thursday.
Crime
Wall of Shame — Porter County bookings (Oct. 12–13)
Seven Porter County jail bookings from Monday morning to Tuesday morning allege operating a vehicle while intoxicated, theft, domestic battery, or vehicle theft.
Crime
Man, 22, held on murder count after fatal Campbell Street shooting in Valparaiso
The coroner identified the man killed early Saturday as Seth Jankowski, 23, of Valparaiso. Antione Pierson, 22, is held without bond on a preliminary murder count, and a second man is held as well.
Crime
Guns tossed during 110 mph chase through Hammond, state police say; three Illinois men arrested
Troopers say a passenger threw a handgun and an extended magazine onto Indianapolis Boulevard during an Oct. 7 pursuit that started on I-80 near the state line. Two 9mm handguns were recovered.
Crime
Hobart police corporal charged with felony battery and OWI after off-duty incident
Cpl. Mike Gallagher is on paid leave after an Aug. 14 off-duty call on Jackson Street, the department said Friday. The chief wants that leave made unpaid while the case is pending.
Crime
Hammond man, 19, charged with murder in Truman Street alley shooting that killed two
Tayjuan M. Hall, 19, was charged Oct. 6 with two counts of murder in the Oct. 3 shooting that killed two young men in an alley off the 800 block of Truman Street.
Crime
South Central volleyball coach faces 26 child exploitation counts after LaPorte County cyber-tip probe
Paul R. Fasshauer, 46, of Union Mills, was arrested Oct. 6 on 26 Level 4 felony counts of child exploitation, the LaPorte County Sheriff's Office said. South Central Schools put him on unpaid leave.
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