Hobart Traffic Stop Leads To Drug Charges For Gary Woman
Julia Lashay Watkins, 29, of Gary, is charged in Lake County with felony drug dealing after police say methamphetamine and other narcotics were found concealed on her body following a traffic stop in Hobart.
According to court documents, the investigation began about 3:42 p.m. Feb. 12, 2026, when police observed a silver Chevrolet HHR weaving through northbound traffic on Mississippi Street and making unsafe lane changes before turning east onto 61st Avenue near the Marcella Boulevard roundabout. The vehicle continued without stopping for emergency lights and siren and drove into a gas station parking lot in the 4400 block of West 61st Avenue before finally stopping.
Police made contact with Watkins, who was driving. She apologized for her driving and said she and her passenger were returning from Lansing, Illinois. She also stated she was a recovering drug user scheduled to enter rehabilitation the next day.
A police canine conducted an exterior sniff and alerted on the vehicle. During a search of the passenger-side floorboard near the center console, officers removed a loose factory plastic panel and located a clear glass pipe with burnt residue concealed between the plastic and vehicle wiring. A hypodermic needle was also found concealed near the center console area. Both items were seized as paraphernalia.
During a search of Watkins, officers located a clear plastic bag containing multiple smaller baggies of suspected narcotics concealed in her front genital area. After being advised of her rights, Watkins admitted the bag contained methamphetamine and stated the amount was under an ounce.
Police recovered three baggies containing methamphetamine weighing a combined 35.7 grams. The same larger bag also contained two additional smaller baggies, one containing white rock-like substance associated with cocaine that tested positive for cocaine base weighing about 1.5 grams, and one containing a brown tar-like substance (commonly associated with heroin/fentanyl) that field tested positive for fentanyl weighing about 1.7 grams.
According to the affidavit, Watkins admitted she uses drugs and sells drugs to a friend. Police also reported she possessed a large amount of U.S. currency, mostly in $20 denominations, which they stated is consistent with narcotics sales.
Court documents state Watkins was on probation through Porter County at the time of the incident.
Charges filed February 13,2026:
• Dealing Methamphetamine (Level 2 felony)
• Possession of Methamphetamine (Level 3 felony)
• Possession of a Narcotic Drug (Level 6 felony)
• Possession of Cocaine (Level 6 felony)
• Possession of Paraphernalia (Misdemeanor)
