Hammond Man Caught Trafficking Drugs Via Drone
Hammond Man charged with attempting to traffic drugs into Westville Correctional Facility with a drone
On March 21, 2025, at approximately 1:30 AM, the Westville Correctional Facility administration received notification that a drone was flying in the air around the Facility.
According to court documents, the Prison Warden contacted the Laporte County Sheriff’s Department. The Warden and a Captain with the Sheriff’s Department met near the southeast side of the prison. As they walked the tree line, a male subject emerged and began running northeast through an open field. The Warden yelled “Police Stop,” with no reaction from the subject. The Sheriff’s Department Captain radioed to other units in the area, who then set up to intercept the suspect. It was at this time that a buzzing sound was heard, according to court documents. When the Warden and the Captain looked up, they discovered a drone flying back to its launching pad.
Assisting officers apprehended the suspect. The Westville Police Department took 29-year-old Eric Patino into custody for resisting law enforcement, and he was transported to the Laporte County Jail.
Subsequently, the Warden and the Captain began to search the area from which the suspect had run. During their search, they found multiple grocery bags filled with unknown substances. Further investigation into the substances recovered at the scene resulted in the following:
Cocaine 5.1 Grams – field tested positive
Fentanyl 14.1 grams – field tested positive
Marijuana 855.4 grams – field tested positive
Methamphetamine (Crystal) 225.2 grams – field tested positive
The following items were also found at the scene:
Suboxone 121 strips = 5.6 grams
Tobacco – 798.8 grams
5 cellular devices
1 drone with remote and 2 additional battery packs
4 Chargers
1 duffle bag
1 Allen wrench
5 carabiners
Electrical and painters tape
a Blue Blanket
On March 23, 2025, Eric A. Patino was charged with:
Dealing in Methamphetamine: F2 Felony
Dealing in a Narcotic Drug: Fentanyl: F2 Felony
Dealing in a Narcotic Drug: Suboxone: F3 Felony
Dealing in Cocaine: F3 Felony
Dealing in Marijuana: F5 Felony
Attempted Trafficking with an Inmate: F5 Felony (2 Counts)
Patino is currently lodged in the Laporte County Jail
An arrest and criminal charges are accusations only. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law
