Merrillville Man Accused Of Dealing Cocaine After Drug Sales Lead To Search Warrant, Marijuana And Gun Conversion Device Found
Dariel Edwin Dodd Jr., 26, of Merrillville, is facing multiple felony and misdemeanor charges after investigators documented two cocaine sales earlier in January and later executed a search warrant at his apartment where marijuana, digital scales, packaging materials, and a device used to convert a firearm into a fully automatic weapon were located.
According to a probable cause affidavit, during the weeks of January 4 and January 11, 2026, investigators documented two separate drug sales in Lake County involving a rock-like substance weighing between five and ten grams in each instance. The substances field-tested positive for cocaine.
Based on those sales, detectives obtained a search warrant for Dodd’s residence in the 2600 block of West 61st Place,in Merrillville. The warrant was executed on January 28, 2026.
Detectives located Dodd inside the residence along with two juveniles. In a backpack on the kitchen table, officers located five baggies containing a green leafy substance. In a kitchen cabinet, officers located an additional baggie containing green leafy substance, two digital scales, and approximately 200 clear plastic baggies recognized as packaging materials used to distribute narcotics.
The green leafy substance weighed a collective 35.1 grams and field-tested positive for marijuana.
In the master bedroom, officers located Dodd’s Indiana identification card. In the bedroom closet, detectives located a device recognized as a firearm “switch,” which is used to convert a semi-automatic handgun into a fully automatic weapon. Indiana law defines this device as a machine gun component.
Lodged in the Lake County Jail.
Charges filed January 29,2026:
• Dealing in Cocaine (Between 5 and 10 grams) — Level 3 Felony
• Dealing in Cocaine (Between 5 and 10 grams) — Level 3 Felony
• Possession of a Machine Gun — Level 5 Felony
• Maintaining a Common Nuisance — Level 6 Felony
• Possession of Marijuana — Class B Misdemeanor
