Two separate traffic stops on Memorial Day resulted in 2 handguns being taken off the streets of Lake County, according to Sgt. Glen Fifield of the Indiana State Police. At approximately 2:30 a.m., Trooper Benjamin Beers stopped a gray 2016 Kia traveling at 97 mph on I-90 near the 1 mile-marker (Indiana Toll Road). Further investigation lead Trp. Beers to have probable cause to believe that the driver was impaired. The vehicle was also occupied by the driver’s 7 year old minor child. After failing field sobriety tests, the driver refused to submit to a P.B.T. (portable breath test) as well as a certified chemical test. A search warrant was requested and granted for a blood draw chemical test. The blood draw was completed at St. Margaret Hospital in Hammond. The results of that test are pending. The driver, identified as Jason L. Rogers, 40, from Robbins, IL, was transported to the Lake County Jail. Located in the vehicle was a loaded Sig Sauer .45 caliber handgun. The child and vehicle were later released to the child’s mother. Mr. Rogers is preliminarily charged with the following:
- Operating While Intoxicated with a Passenger Under the Age of 18- Level 6 Felony
- Carrying a Handgun Without a License- Class A Misdemeanor
- W.I.- Endangering-Class A Misdemeanor
- Reckless Driving- Class C Misdemeanor
- W.I.-Class C Misdemeanor
At 7:30 p.m., Trooper A. Hamed made a traffic stop on a white Buick on 5th Ave. in Gary. The driver was stopped for several traffic violations. A license check of the driver, Daranta R. Heath, 25, from East Chicago, IN, showed that his license was suspended. Further investigation lead to Trooper Pratt and his K9 partner Rogue being called to the scene. Rogue gave a positive alert to the vehicle and a subsequent search of the Buick resulted in the officers locating a large amount of a controlled substance, as well as a loaded Glock .40 caliber handgun. Mr. Heath was transported to the Lake County Jail for processing while the vehicle was released to his mother. Mr. Heath is preliminarily charged with the following:
- Carrying a Handgun without a License – Class A Misdemeanor
- Dealing Marijuana – Class A Misdemeanor
- Possession of Marijuana Over 30 Grams – Class A Misdemeanor
- Possession of Paraphernalia – Class C Misdemeanor
All persons named in this release are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court. All charges mentioned are merely accusations, actual charges will be determined by the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office.
