PORTER COUNTY – A Valparaiso man is in jail on drug charges following a traffic stop on the Indiana Toll Road late Sunday night in Porter County.
On August 23, 2026, at approximately 11:05 p.m. CST, Trooper Maurer saw a blue 2020 Nissan driving through the toll booth at the Valparaiso/Chesterton Toll Plaza at a dangerous speed as it entered the Indiana Toll Road to travel westbound. Maurer caught up to the Nissan and paced it at 82 miles per hour as it continued westbound.Â
When Maurer turned on the red and blue emergency lights on his marked Indiana State Police vehicle, the Nissan slowed and began to pull to the right shoulder. Mauer reports that as the Nissan moved to the right shoulder, he saw the driver throw a square-shaped object out the passenger-side window as it came to a stop near the 29.5-mile marker.
The driver, identified as Mark O’Kelly, 48, of Valparaiso, IN, was found to not have a valid driver’s license. Maurer located the object thrown from the Nissan and found that it contained a plastic bag that contained approximately 30 grams of suspected methamphetamine, several smaller baggies that contained suspected cocaine, a large number of small baggies that were empty, and additional paraphernalia. A search of the Nissan revealed suspected marijuana, pills identified as controlled substances, and additional paraphernalia.
O’Kelly was arrested for multiple felony drug charges, including dealing methamphetamine, a Level 2 felony, and possession of methamphetamine, a Level 3 felony, and was taken to the Porter County Jail.
Those facing criminal charges are considered innocent until proven guilty through a fair and due legal process. Accusations alone do not imply guilt; the judicial system will evaluate the presented evidence to reach a verdict.
