Gary Man Charged After Police Recover Loaded Handgun During Disturbance Call
A Gary man has been charged after officers say he attempted to hide a loaded handgun while police were responding to a reported physical disturbance.
According to court documents, officers with the Gary Police Department were dispatched around 9:00 p.m. on June 1, 2025, to the 1500 block of West 5th Avenue for a reported fight involving three males. Upon arrival, one officer observed a man, later identified as Jonathan James Jr. walking away from the scene and placing an object into the bed of a red pickup truck, which caused a loud “thump” sound.
Officers recovered a .38 caliber revolver loaded with five live rounds. James was detained and identified at the scene using his Indiana identification card. He was later transported to the Gary Police Department, where he participated in a recorded interview.
According to court documents, James admitted to placing the firearm in the truck bed. He told police he had purchased the revolver two days earlier for $150 from an unknown man in Gary. He said the gun was already loaded and stated he bought it for protection after a 2023 robbery that he did not report. James also acknowledged he knew he was prohibited from possessing a firearm.
Court records confirm multiple prior felony convictions for James:
- Sexual Misconduct with a Minor – Class D Felony, convicted on March 25, 2004, sentenced to 2 years at the Lake County Community Corrections facility.
- Child Molesting – Class C Felony, convicted on February 1, 2006, sentenced to 4 years incarceration.
- Burglary – Class C Felony, convicted on June 19, 2013, sentenced to 3 years, with 2 years suspended and 2 years probation.
These convictions prohibit him from possessing a firearm under Indiana law.
Charges filed on June 3, 2025:
- Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Serious Violent Felon (Level 4 Felony)
- Unlawful Carrying of a Handgun – Prior Felony Conviction Within 15 Years (Level 5 Felony)
James is currently lodged in the Lake County Jail.
