New Chicago Police Chief Earl Donnell Mayo and a Merrillville woman are now facing multiple felony charges following an investigation that authorities allege centers around the sale of a firearm tied to an active criminal case, alleged attempts to recover that weapon before trial proceedings, and additional allegations involving anabolic steroids and evidence handling.
According to probable cause affidavits filed in Lake County, 45-year-old Earl Donnell Mayo of Merrillville and 48-year-old Taneka Roshawn Borders of Merrillville were charged after investigators determined a Taurus G3 handgun connected to a pending criminal prosecution had allegedly been sold to Mega Cash Pawn in Hobart on April 29, 2025.
Authorities allege the handgun had previously been recovered during a criminal investigation conducted by the New Chicago Police Department and should have remained secured as evidence pending court proceedings.
Investigators stated a firearm trace linked the sale directly to Mayo, who at the time served as Chief of Police for the Town of New Chicago and was also reportedly the arresting officer in the original criminal case tied to the handgun.
According to court documents, investigators allege Mayo later attempted to have the firearm repurchased and returned before it could be introduced during upcoming trial proceedings.
One New Chicago police officer reportedly told investigators Mayo contacted him and instructed him to go to the pawn shop and purchase the firearm back. The same officer also allegedly told detectives Mayo directed him to retrieve firearms and suppressors from a safe located inside Mayo’s residence.
According to the affidavit, the officer further alleged Mayo claimed there were items inside the residence that “the feds” would never find.
During the course of the investigation, detectives responded to Mayo’s residence located in the 1100 block of West 85th Avenue in Merrillville, where they encountered Borders.
Authorities allege Borders attempted to destroy several glass vials while officers were making contact with her. Investigators stated Borders allegedly admitted Mayo instructed her to retrieve testosterone and steroid-related substances from inside the residence.
Detectives reported the vials allegedly contained anabolic steroids including Trenbolone and Equipoise, which investigators described as veterinary-grade substances not intended for human consumption.
Investigators further alleged Borders later went to the Hobart pawn shop wearing a pink tracksuit in an attempt to recover the firearm. Witnesses at the business reportedly identified Borders as the woman Mayo allegedly sent with $600 to buy the handgun back before law enforcement seized it.
According to investigators, pawn shop transaction records allegedly showed Mayo sold a total of 12 firearms to Mega Cash Pawn on April 29, 2025, receiving approximately $2,610. Included in that transaction was the Taurus G3 handgun tied to the pending criminal prosecution.
Detectives also noted Mayo allegedly has a prior theft conviction from Lake County dating back to 2000.
Charges Filed Against Earl Mayo
Authorities filed the following charges against Mayo:
- Theft Using A Firearm — Level 5 Felony
- Official Misconduct — Level 6 Felony (2 Counts)
- Obstruction Of Justice (Attempt) — Level 6 Felony
- Unlawful Possession Of Anabolic Steroids — Level 6 Felony (2 Counts)
- Theft With Prior Conviction — Level 6 Felony
- Theft — Class A Misdemeanor
Charges Filed Against Taneka Borders
Borders is facing the following charges:
- Assisting A Criminal (Attempt) — Level 6 Felony (2 Counts)
- Obstruction Of Justice (Attempt) — Level 6 Felony
- Unlawful Possession Of Anabolic Steroids — Level 6 Felony (2 Counts)
The criminal allegations surfaced as the Lake County Sheriff’s Department simultaneously assumed all policing responsibilities for the Town of New Chicago.
Lake County Sheriff Oscar Martinez confirmed Friday night that the sheriff’s department had officially assumed all patrol operations, emergency response, service calls, and police services within the town while what he described as an ongoing investigation continues.
Martinez stated there was “no need for the citizens of New Chicago to worry about police services,” but declined to publicly elaborate on the underlying investigation.
As Region News Source first reported Friday night, numerous law enforcement sources indicated federal authorities and county investigators executed search warrants connected to Mayo, including searches at residences tied to him.
Multiple sources further indicated Mayo was taken into custody Friday in Ohio and would face extradition proceedings back to Indiana.
While many details initially circulating remained unconfirmed at the time, subsequent court filings now appear to support portions of those earlier reports involving the alleged pawn sale of firearms and attempts to recover evidence before court proceedings.
The investigation has quickly become one of the most unprecedented law enforcement scandals involving a Northwest Indiana police department in recent memory.
Statement Released By Indiana State Police Major Jerry Williams
On Saturday, Indiana State Police Major Jerry Williams, who is also the Democratic nominee for Lake County Sheriff and Mayo’s father, released a public statement addressing the allegations involving his son.
“My wife and I and our family are deeply concerned over recent information regarding our son, Earl Mayo, chief of the New Chicago Police Department,” Williams stated. “We raised all of our children with love, guidance and a strong foundation of values. We’ve always held our children to higher standards, as we have ourselves.”
Williams continued by stating the family has limited information regarding the investigation but acknowledged the allegations are troubling.
“We are aware there are allegations that are troubling, and we struggle to reconcile them with the values we worked so hard to instill in all of our children and grandchildren,” the statement said.
Williams also emphasized the importance of due process.
“Under our criminal justice system, Earl is presumed innocent unless and until proven otherwise. We respect that fundamental principle, and it is important that the legal process be allowed to proceed fairly and impartially.”
He added that if the allegations are ultimately proven true, Mayo “must and should accept responsibility for his actions and face the consequences.”
Williams concluded by describing the matter as an “extremely difficult and emotional time” for the family and stated they would not comment further while legal proceedings remain ongoing.
As of Saturday evening, federal authorities had not publicly released a detailed statement outlining the broader scope of the investigation or whether additional charges or arrests are expected through Federal Courts.
All suspects are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
