Mathew Robert Koch, 39, and Roncia La Toy Fletcher-Black, 48, both of Highland, are facing multiple felony charges following an early morning traffic stop in Crown Point that allegedly led to the discovery of loaded firearms, cocaine and drug paraphernalia.
According to court documents, a Crown Point Police officer was in the area of Indiana Avenue and Joliet Street around 12:15 a.m. on May 8 when a License Plate Reader alert indicated the registered owner of a black 2007 Buick Lucerne was a Habitual Traffic Violator. Officers confirmed the vehicle was registered to Koch and that his Indiana driving status was listed as “Habitual Traffic Violator – Life.”
Police later located the vehicle near North Street and Indiana Avenue and initiated a traffic stop after allegedly observing the vehicle’s license plate light was not operational. Court documents state the driver initially handed officers a worn paper copy of an Indiana driver’s license bearing the name “Jacob Ryan Defelice,” but officers noticed the driver did not match the identification photo.
Investigators said the driver repeatedly identified himself as “Jacob Ryan Defelice” before eventually admitting the information belonged to his cousin. Police said Koch later admitted he used his cousin’s information because he knew his license was suspended and he was “scared.”
Koch was taken into custody and transported to the Lake County Jail. During the investigation, officers learned Koch previously had felony convictions, including a 2016 Porter County conviction for Dealing in Cocaine or Narcotic Drug and a 2017 conviction for Operating A Motor Vehicle After Forfeiture Of License For Life.
According to court documents, officers also began investigating Fletcher-Black after learning her license was suspended and she could not legally take possession of the vehicle. Officers later requested a K9 unit to conduct a free air sniff of the vehicle prior to towing it. Police said K9 Blitz alerted on multiple areas of the vehicle.
During a search of the vehicle, officers allegedly recovered a glass pipe containing burnt residue and a loaded black 9mm Springfield Hellcat handgun from the glove box.
Court documents state Fletcher-Black later admitted she had “something in there” while pointing toward an Aldi bag she had removed from the vehicle. Officers allegedly recovered a loaded teal SCCY 9mm handgun from inside her purse. Police said Fletcher-Black claimed the firearm was not hers, though she admitted the purse belonged to her and had been in her possession.
Investigators also allegedly located a small plastic baggie containing a white powdery substance inside Fletcher-Black’s jacket pocket. According to court documents, Fletcher-Black spontaneously stated “coke” while officers examined the baggie. Police later said the substance tested positive for cocaine.
During a later pat down conducted by a female officer, police also allegedly recovered a glass pipe containing burnt residue concealed in Fletcher-Black’s vaginal area.
Court documents state officers later discovered Fletcher-Black had previously been convicted of Battery Resulting In Serious Bodily Injury, a Class C Felony, in Lake County in 2017, making her ineligible to possess a firearm.
Both were transported to the Lake County Jail.
Charges filed May 9,2026:
Mathew Robert Koch
Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Serious Violent Felon – Level 4 Felony
Operating a Motor Vehicle After Forfeiture of License for Life – Level 5 Felony
Identity Deception – Level 6 Felony
Roncia La Toy Fletcher-Black
Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Serious Violent Felon – Level 4 Felony
Possession of Cocaine – Level 6 Felony
Possession of Paraphernalia – Class C Misdemeanor
