Gary Man Charged In Porter County After Traffic Stop Leads To Guns And OWI Arrest
Porter County- A Gary man is facing multiple felony and misdemeanor charges in Porter County after police say a traffic stop in Portage led to the discovery of firearms, alcohol, and signs of intoxication.
According to a probable cause affidavit, on October 2, 2025, around 1:36 a.m., an officer with the Portage Police Department observed a 2017 white Ford Fusion with expired Indiana registration traveling westbound on U.S. Highway 20. The vehicle was stopped near U.S. 20 and Dombey Road.
When asked for his name, the driver first identified himself as “Charles Wilson” with differing dates of birth, but after further questioning, officers located an Indiana identification card in his cellphone case showing his true identity as Marvin Charles Williams, 44, of Gary. Dispatch advised that Williams’ license was suspended and that he had an active warrant in Lake County for failure to appear on an OWI case.
While speaking with Williams, officers noticed in plain view an open Bud Light beer bottle, a red Solo cup containing clear liquid, and an open bottle of New Amsterdam Vodka in the passenger area. An additional open bottle of tequila was later located in the rear passenger compartment. Police also reported a strong odor of alcohol from inside the car and noted Williams displayed watery eyes, slurred speech, and poor manual dexterity. Williams admitted he had been drinking at the Rusty Nail in Portage earlier in the night and acknowledged that one partially full beer bottle in the vehicle belonged to him.
During the stop, Williams told officers there were firearms in the vehicle, claiming they belonged to another individual. A search revealed a SCCY CPX-1 9mm pistol under the passenger seat, a Ruger EC9s pistol in the driver’s door pocket, and an S&W M&P 15-22 rifle in the trunk. Police also recovered two loaded rifle magazines. Investigators later confirmed with the registered firearm owner that the guns were supposed to be secured at home, not inside the vehicle.
Williams declined to perform field sobriety tests and refused both breath and chemical tests. Officers obtained a blood draw warrant, which was carried out at a local hospital at 3:49 a.m.
Court records show Williams has a prior conviction for Felony Home Invasion Causing Injury in 2008 in Cook County, Illinois, along with OWI convictions in 2019 and 2025 in Lake County.
He was taken into custody and lodged in the Porter County Jail following his arrest.
Charges filed October 3,2025:
• Level 4 Felony – Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Serious Violent Felon (3 counts)
• Level 5 Felony – Theft (firearm)
• Level 6 Felony – Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated, Prior Conviction
• Class A Misdemeanor – Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated Endangering a Person
• Class C Misdemeanor – Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated
• Class A Misdemeanor – Driving While Suspended
• Class A Misdemeanor – False Informing
