Portage Man With Prior Drug Conviction Charged and Arrested in New Drug Dealing Case
A Portage man has been charged and arrested after police documented two separate drug deals taking place in August at a Fiesta Avenue residence in Portage.
Police identified 52-year-old James Edward Jones, of the 5900 block of Fiesta Avenue in Portage, as the suspect in both incidents. According to the probable cause affidavit, police were conducting a narcotics investigation when they gathered evidence showing that Jones sold methamphetamine on August 6, 2025, and again on August 18, 2025, at the same location.
Police recovered small plastic bags containing a crystal-like substance following each incident. The items were photographed, weighed, and tested using a TruNarc device, which confirmed the presence of methamphetamine. One bag weighed 3.0 grams, and the second weighed 2.9 grams, not including packaging.
Court records show Jones has a prior conviction for dealing methamphetamine from a 2021 Porter County case, qualifying as an enhancing circumstance under Indiana law.
Charges filed November 6,2025:
• Dealing in Methamphetamine: Between 1g & 5g, prior conv. for dealing (not mj) – Level 3 Felony
• Dealing in Methamphetamine: Between 1g & 5g, prior conv. for dealing (not mj) – Level 3 Felony
Lodged in the Porter County Jail on November 13,2025.
