4 days ago
Man charged in Portage murder facing misdemeanor gun case
A 21-year-old Gary man charged with murder after a fatal Portage shooting in April 2024 was arrested Thursday on misdemeanor gun charges for violating a court order while his murder charge is pending.
Montrell McLaurin Jr. was charged Friday with two counts of unlawful carry of a handgun, a Class A misdemeanor, for violating a court order against possessing firearms while his murder charge is pending.
It's the second time he has faced the charge in as many months. On May 23, McLaurin was also charged with unlawful carrying of a handgun and possession of marijuana.
McLaurin, who was released from the Porter County Jail on his own recognizance on the murder charge while the case is pending, was pulled over Thursday on U.S. 20 and Clem Road in Portage for not having registration visible on the rear of the white Ford Fusion he was driving westbound, according to a report from the Porter County Sheriff's Department.
The officer's report states that online court records showed McLaurin has a pending murder case and was arrested for unlawful carrying of a handgun after the murder charge.
During a previous police stop, McLaurin and the same passenger who was in the car with him Thursday were charged with possession of marijuana, leading the officer to call for a free-air sniff with a K-9 unit on Thursday. The K-9 gave a positive alert, so a probable cause search was conducted.
A Glock 31C handgun was located under the front passenger seat, loaded with 21 rounds, plus one in the chamber, and a Diamondback Firearms DB15 loaded with 40 rounds, plus one in the chamber, was also found in the vehicle, according to the police report.
McLaurin is accused of murdering 19-year-old Darion Anderson in the early hours of April 29, 2024, in the 5300 block of Aspen Avenue in Portage, allegedly during a drug deal.
He is charged with murder, murder in perpetration of a robbery and attempted robbery. Prosecutors have requested a firearms enhancement for the charges.
McLaurin has pleaded not guilty to the murder charge.
