Porter County Jail Officer Accused of Smuggling Drug-Soaked Paper to Inmates
A Porter County Jail officer is facing felony charges after admitting to smuggling drug-laced paper into the jail multiple times, court records show.
Johnny Maynor, 50, of Merrillville, was formally charged on August 5, 2025, following a year-long investigation into allegations that he trafficked a chemical intoxicant known as “toon” paper soaked in liquid narcotics into the jail and delivered it to inmates during cell inspections.
According to court documents, the internal investigation began in May 2025 after inmate tipsters reported to jail supervisors that Officer Maynor had been smuggling “toon” into the facility. Investigators reviewed surveillance video, jail call recordings, and visitation logs, and found that several details corroborated the inmates’ claims.
One inmate reported overhearing a conversation where Maynor allegedly promised another inmate that he would “get it” for him and bring it in. Other inmates later confirmed similar stories, including one who recalled seeing Maynor hand over a toilet paper roll that had been hollowed out and filled with a drug-soaked stamp.
Investigators say intercepted jail calls and messages repeatedly referenced a person named “Money” or “J. Money,” which was determined to be Maynor’s nickname. Inmates appeared to use this name as a code when discussing contraband deliveries. Location data and call logs show frequent communication between Maynor and individuals connected to inmates, particularly between July 2024 and June 2025.
Court records detail one transaction in July 2024 in which Maynor allegedly traveled to an address in Gary to pick up drug-soaked paper from an inmate’s brother. The phone and location data show he arrived near the address, stayed briefly, then returned to the jail prior to the start of his shift.
During a formal interview in late July 2025, Maynor admitted to bringing the contraband into the jail, stating it happened two or three times. He described being given bags containing what he later realized was chemically treated construction paper. He said he initially didn’t understand what it was but grew suspicious after noticing the odd texture and later saw inmates “going crazy” after smoking it. He admitted that by the third time, he knew the material was “toon.”
He also acknowledged that he delivered the paper to inmates during inspections, placing it on beds inside the jail.
Maynor was employed as a correctional officer at the time of the alleged offenses. Maynor was hired at the Porter County Jail on 3/20/2023.
Charges filed August 5, 2025:
- Trafficking with an Inmate (controlled substance) – Level 5 Felony
- Official Misconduct – Level 6 Felony
- Trafficking with an Inmate (unauthorized article) – Class A Misdemeanor
Currently lodged in the Porter County Jail.
“The Porter County Sheriff’s Office is committed to maintaining public trust and holding high ethical standards in all Divisions. We are proud of the Jail Supervisors who acted with integrity and our Detective Bureau for their hard work in this investigation.”
