Gary Woman Found Guilty in Methamphetamine Dealing Case
Lake County- A Lake County jury has returned a guilty verdict against Melissa Jo Samuels in connection with a methamphetamine dealing case that began in Munster in July 2024.
According to court records, Samuels was found guilty on the following charges:
• Dealing in Methamphetamine (10 or more grams) — Level 2 Felony
• Possession of Marijuana — Class B Misdemeanor
According to the probable cause affidavit filed July 3, 2024, Detective Daniel Balich of the Munster Police Department initiated a traffic stop on July 2, 2024, near Calumet Avenue and Ridge Road after observing a white Jeep with no visible license plate and a nonfunctioning rear brake light.
The passenger was identified as Melissa Jo Samuels. Investigators noted nervous behavior and inconsistent statements. Samuels admitted to using marijuana and previously using methamphetamine and gave consent to search the vehicle.
Inside Samuels’ purse on the passenger seat, officers located:
• Two zip lock baggies containing a green plant-like substance,
• A prescription bottle with no label containing two large crystal-like rocks,
• A black digital scale with white residue,
• Two unused clear zip lock baggies,
• Samuels’ identification.
During a pat-down, police found a clear plastic bag containing a large amount of a white crystal-like substance on Samuels’ person. She told police she forgot it was on her, stating she “grabbed the plastic bag in hopes to make money off of it.”
She further stated that she had obtained the methamphetamine approximately five months earlier from her ex-boyfriend and planned to sell it back to him.
The methamphetamine from the plastic bag and pill bottle weighed 45.9 grams and field-tested positive. The marijuana weighed 6.1 grams.
Lake County Prosecutor Bernard A. Carter announced the guilty verdict on October 23, 2025. The prosecutor extended congratulations to Deputy Prosecutor Chris Bruno and thanked Detective Daniel Balich and Munster Police officers for their work on the case.
