Alec Zima, 32, of St. John, has been charged with multiple felony drug and neglect offenses after police allegedly found cocaine, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia in the basement of a home where his 7-year-old son lived.

According to the probable cause affidavit, St. John police responded on July 15, 2026, to a residence in the 9300 block of Olcott Avenue for a reported family disturbance. Police said they had previously responded to the residence numerous times for domestic arguments. A family member told officers Zima was inside the home and was “out of control.”

Court documents allege that as officers reached the open basement doorway, they immediately smelled the odor of marijuana and observed suspected marijuana scattered across the floor and a desk. When officers asked for consent to search the basement, Zima allegedly refused, prompting investigators to obtain a search warrant.

According to the affidavit, a family member also told officers that Zima’s 7-year-old son lived in the home and had access to the basement, expressing concern about drugs being kept there. Police said they also overheard the child talking about Zima smoking inside the house. Before the search warrant was executed, Zima allegedly volunteered that all he had in the basement was a “one hitter.”

During the search, investigators allegedly recovered a one-hitter pipe containing burnt residue that field-tested positive for marijuana and five plastic baggies containing a white powdery residue that field-tested positive for cocaine, which were found inside a tin stored in a cabinet drawer in the basement. Police allege that possessing cocaine and using marijuana in a residence where a 7-year-old child lived created a dangerous situation for the child.

Lodged in the Lake County Jail.

Charges Filed July 16, 2026:

Possession of Cocaine – Enhancing Circumstance (Level 5 Felony)

Possession of Cocaine (Level 6 Felony)

Neglect of a Dependent (Level 6 Felony)

Possession of Marijuana (Class B Misdemeanor)

Possession of Paraphernalia – Introducing a Controlled Substance Into the Body (Class C Misdemeanor)