Gary Man Charged With Dealing Near School After Police Seize Cocaine, Fentanyl, And Guns
Charles Chadon Trotter, 44, of Gary,is facing numerous felony charges after police say a drug investigation led to the seizure of cocaine, fentanyl, firearms, and other drugs inside an apartment in Gary.
Police say the investigation focused on suspected drug dealing activity during February and March of 2026. Investigators reported that multiple drug deals involving suspected cocaine occurred at an apartment in the 800 block of Adams Street in Gary during the investigation. The suspected cocaine involved in the transactions weighed between one and five grams.
Police reported the drug deals occurred less than 500 feet from 21st Century Academy School and during standard school hours. During one of the incidents, investigators reported observing children playing on the school playground nearby.
Police later executed a search warrant at the apartment on March 12, 2026. Officers reported locating Trotter inside the residence, where he was holding a bag containing a substance he attempted to tear open in an apparent attempt to destroy it. The substance later field-tested positive for cocaine.
During the search, police reported locating:
• 98.3 grams of a substance that field-tested positive for cocaine
• 1.5 grams of a substance that field-tested positive for fentanyl
• Seven handguns
• 59.4 grams of corn starch believed to be used as a cutting agent for narcotics
• Six pills identified as Viagra and seven pills identified as Sildenafil that did not appear to be prescribed
• 7.6 grams of marijuana
Police also reported that a criminal history check showed Trotter had a prior conviction for Dealing in Cocaine in 2014, which investigators said makes him a serious violent felon under Indiana law.
Charges filed March 13,2026:
• Dealing in Cocaine — Level 2 Felony
• Dealing in Cocaine — Level 3 Felony (4 counts)
• Dealing in Cocaine — Level 4 Felony (2 counts)
• Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Serious Violent Felon — Level 4 Felony
• Possession of a Narcotic Drug — Level 5 Felony (2 counts)
• Possession of a Narcotic Drug — Level 6 Felony
• Unlawful Possession or Use of a Legend Drug — Level 6 Felony
• Obstruction of Justice — Level 6 Felony
• Maintaining a Common Nuisance — Level 6 Felony
• Possession of Marijuana — Class A Misdemeanor
• Possession of Marijuana — Class B Misdemeanor
