Rensselaer Man, Burns Harbor Woman Face Multiple Felony Drug and Firearm Charges Following Traffic Stop
Jay Don Martin, 44, of Rensselaer, and Angela Marie Norman, 28, of Burns Harbor, are facing numerous felony drug and firearm charges following a Jasper County traffic stop that resulted in the seizure of large quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine, along with a stolen handgun and hypodermic needles.
According to the probable cause affidavit, the incident occurred at approximately 6:55 a.m. on December 15, 2025, near Clark and Countryside in Rensselaer.
Officers observed the vehicle traveling above the posted speed limit in multiple zones and initiated a traffic stop at the intersection of Clark and Countryside. Angela Marie Norman was identified as the driver, and Jay Don Martin was identified as the front-seat passenger.
After the stop, officers questioned both occupants about their travel history. According to court documents, Norman initially stated they stayed with a friend in Merrillville. Martin later stated they stayed at the Howard Johnson Hotel and only left to eat dinner. Court records state neither initially advised officers they had traveled to Illinois. During a later interview at the jail, Norman stated they went to Illinois for a short time, said she stayed inside the vehicle, and claimed she did not know why they went.
A K9 alerted to the odor of narcotics inside the vehicle. A search revealed a backpack behind the driver’s seat containing a crystal substance that field-tested positive for methamphetamine and weighed approximately 25 grams. Two handguns were also located inside the vehicle, including one found on the passenger-side floorboard where Martin had been seated. That firearm was later confirmed to be stolen.
Because locked containers were discovered and due to extreme cold weather, officers towed the vehicle and obtained a search warrant. After the warrant was granted, investigators located additional crystal substance weighing approximately 471 grams that tested positive for methamphetamine, along with more than 10 grams of cocaine and several hypodermic needles.
Court records further state that when Norman was booked into the Jasper County Jail, officers located a small baggie and a pipe or straw in her coat pocket containing a substance that field-tested positive for methamphetamine.
In a separate filing, prosecutors allege Martin unlawfully possessed the stolen firearm and unlawfully carried a handgun based on a prior felony conviction within the last 15 years. Court records also show prosecutors filed notice of intent to seek an enhanced penalty against Martin based on a prior felony conviction for residential entry in Jasper County.
Charges filed December 19,2025:
Jay Don Martin, 44 – Rensselaer
• Dealing in Methamphetamine: Possession With Intent, 10 Grams or More (Level 2 Felony)
• Dealing in Methamphetamine: Between 5 and 10 Grams, Enhancing Circumstance (Level 2 Felony)
• Possession of Methamphetamine: More Than 28 Grams (Level 3 Felony)
• Possession of Methamphetamine: Between 10 and 28 Grams, Enhancing Circumstance (Level 3 Felony)
• Possession of Cocaine: Between 10 and 28 Grams, Enhancing Circumstance (Level 3 Felony)
• Possession of Cocaine: Between 10 and 28 Grams (Level 4 Felony)
• Theft of a Firearm (Level 5 Felony)
• Unlawful Carrying of a Handgun With Prior Felony Conviction (Level 5 Felony)
• Unlawful Possession of a Syringe (Level 6 Felony)
• Unauthorized Entry of a Motor Vehicle (Misdemeanor)
Angela Marie Norman, 28 – Burns Harbor
• Dealing in Methamphetamine: Possession With Intent, 10 Grams or More (Level 2 Felony)
• Dealing in Methamphetamine: Between 5 and 10 Grams, Enhancing Circumstance (Level 2 Felony)
• Possession of Cocaine: Between 10 and 28 Grams, Enhancing Circumstance (Level 3 Felony)
• Possession of Cocaine: Between 10 and 28 Grams (Level 4 Felony)
• Unlawful Possession of a Syringe (Level 6 Felony)
• Possession of Paraphernalia: Introducing a Controlled Substance Into the Body (Misdemeanor
