Crime · Sept. 4 edition

Two Flock cases, two outside prosecutors

Kevin Han · Valparaiso, Porter County · Sept. 4, 2026

Traffic surveillance camera overlooking a roadway

Illustrative: a roadway traffic camera of the type used in automated license-plate systems. Photo: Michael Rivera / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0). Not a Porter County installation.

Porter Superior Court Judge Rebecca Buitendorp appointed two special prosecutors after County Prosecutor Gary Germann asked the court to step in to avoid the appearance of impropriety. No charges have been filed in either matter.

On the desk

Chesterton: Fagan named for former detective Schoof

Kevin Han · Friday appointment · Sept. 4, 2026

LaPorte County Prosecutor Sean Fagan will decide whether charges are warranted after Christopher Schoof resigned Aug. 27. Indiana State Police took the criminal investigation.

Sheriff’s Office: Taulman to review the deputy case

Kevin Han · Thursday appointment · Sept. 4, 2026

Jasper County Prosecutor Jacob Taulman will review the case in which Sheriff Jeff Balon disciplined a deputy for unauthorized Flock searches. The Times of Northwest Indiana reported the complainant identified the officer as Lt. Michael Piazza.

Key facts

Judge: Rebecca Buitendorp, Porter Superior Court
Schoof: Sean Fagan named Friday. Schoof resigned Aug. 27.
Sheriff: Jacob Taulman named Thursday. Balon: demotion, unpaid suspension, Flock ban, ethics training.
Prosecutor: Gary Germann asked for an independent review
Charges: None filed in either Porter County matter

Sources

Jim Woods, Post-Tribune (Sept. 4, 2026): Fagan and Taulman appointments; Schoof resignation; Germann quotes
Post-Tribune (Sept. 1, 2026): Germann release on three Flock logins
Porter County Sheriff Jeff Balon statement (Aug. 27–28, 2026)
The Times of Northwest Indiana (Sept. 1–2, 2026): identification of Lt. Michael Piazza

What is next

Fagan and Taulman control the charging decisions. Region N3 will update when those offices announce whether they will prosecute.

Full story