Shane Jerrold Michael Porter, 34, of Lake Station, has been charged in Lake County after authorities allege he attempted to sell a pair of Lake County Jail-issued inmate pants on Facebook Marketplace.  

According to court documents, a detective with the Lake County Sheriff’s Department learned that a man was attempting to sell Lake County Jail-issued pants through Facebook Marketplace and arranged to meet the seller at Luke’s Gas Station near 37th Avenue and Wisconsin Street in Hobart at approximately 6 p.m. on May 11.  

Court records state Porter arrived at the agreed-upon meeting location, where deputies approached him and detained him during the investigation. According to court documents, Porter told deputies he had been transferred to the Porter County Jail while wearing the pants in January 2025 and was released while still in possession of them. He allegedly told deputies he did not know he was required to return the jail-issued pants to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.  

Investigators contacted the Lake County Jail booking department, where jail staff advised that inmates are sometimes transferred to other facilities while wearing Lake County Jail uniforms, but the receiving facility is expected to return the clothing. Authorities determined the replacement cost of the pants was approximately $10. Deputies recovered the pants and placed them into evidence.  

According to court documents, investigators also reviewed messages from the Facebook Marketplace conversation that they allege confirmed Porter’s intent to sell the jail-issued property without authorization. Court records further state Porter has a prior burglary conviction in Allen County.  

Charges filed June 29, 2026:

Theft — Level 6 Felony