Jaxxon A. Conley, 19, of Portage, is facing a felony charge in Lake Superior Court after East Chicago Police alleged he took an iPhone during a Facebook Marketplace transaction and left without paying the seller.
According to court documents, the investigation began after a woman reported that she arranged through Facebook Messenger to sell a pink iPhone 16 to Conley. The two agreed to meet near Tod Park in the area of McShane Drive in East Chicago on April 13, 2026, to complete the transaction.
Police said the woman met Conley, who arrived in a gray Kia, and the pair agreed to exchange the phone and payment at the same time. The woman told investigators she handed Conley the phone while he handed her a white envelope. As she began opening the envelope, Conley allegedly drove away. She later discovered the envelope contained blank sheets of paper and no money.
Investigators reviewed Facebook Messenger communications between the two and learned Conley allegedly told the seller he was purchasing the phone for his sister. Detectives also reported the seller later identified Conley in a photo lineup and turned over the envelope used during the transaction. Police noted the envelope appeared to be from Safety-Kleen, a company located near BP in East Chicago.
The seller’s grandmother told investigators she drove her granddaughter to the meeting location and observed the exchange before seeing the driver leave the area at a high rate of speed.
Detectives later went to Safety-Kleen, where employees confirmed Conley was employed.
According to court records, Conley admitted meeting the seller after work to purchase the phone. Investigators said he acknowledged exchanging an envelope during the transaction and stated he later sold the phone to an unknown business in either East Chicago or Hammond for $450. Police reported he was unable to identify the business where the phone was sold.
Lodged in the Lake County Jail in May 28, 2026.
Charge filed May 27, 2026:
Theft Where Value Of Property Is Between $750 And $50,000, Level 6 Felony.
