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Chicago Tribune
2 days ago
- Chicago Tribune
Prosecutors ask for bond increase for man charged in Portage murder later arrested on gun charges
The Porter County Prosecutor's office is asking a judge to increase the bond to $25,000 cash for Montrell McLaurin Jr., charged in a Portage murder and released on his own recognizance before being picked up twice for reportedly having a handgun. 'McLaurin continues to drive around this County while possessing firearms, which is something he is clearly prohibited from doing under Indiana Law,' since he was charged in Porter County with allegedly killing someone with a firearm, documents state. 'McLaurin is a danger to the citizens of this County and his Bond should reflect this increased danger he poses.' Deputy Prosecutor John Holmen filed the petition Friday, the day after McLaurin, 21, of Portage, was arrested by deputies with the Porter County Sheriff's Department during a routine traffic stop in which he was the driver. Police reportedly found a Glock 31C handgun under the passenger seat and within McLaurin's reach, according to court documents. Police also recovered a Diamond DB 15 firearm from the vehicle, and he was charged with two Class A misdemeanor counts of unlawful carrying of a handgun. McLaurin, according to court documents, was also arrested by Portage Police on May 22 on misdemeanor counts of unlawful carrying of a handgun and marijuana possession, and was released on $800 bond. McLaurin is out on pre-trial release for the April 29, 2024, murder of Darion Anderson in Portage. McLaurin allegedly killed Anderson 'with a Drako firearm that fires powerful 7.62 cartridges,' documents state. 'This Murder weapon was recently found by the Chicago Police Department during an arrest of juveniles in the City of Chicago.' He was charged with murder, murder in perpetration of a robbery and attempted robbery in that case. Prosecutors have requested a firearms enhancement for the charges. He has pleaded not guilty. McLaurin filed a motion for an early trial release on July 26, 2024, and was released on his own recognizance on Sept. 25, because his trial was not going to occur within a 180-day window after his arrest, as required by state law. Holmen, in his petition to increase bond, notes that a defendant is not entitled to release without bond when 'the arrestee is on pretrial release for an offense that is not related to the incident that is the basis for the present arrest.' The state can be granted a bail alteration when there is 'a showing of good cause' to support changing bail, documents state. 'It is the State's position that good cause exists based on the Defendant arrests for Unlawful Possession of a Firearm while being on pre-trial release for the same offense, and while also on release for the serious offense of Murder,' documents state. The state has already filed a motion to revoke bond in the May case, which had not been ruled on when the petition to increase bond was filed. A hearing on the motion to revoke bond from the May arrest is slated for Aug. 5 before Porter Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Thode. A bail review hearing for the most recent charges is scheduled for July 29 before Porter Superior Court Judge Rebecca Buitendorp, according to online court records. McLaurin is scheduled for trial in the murder case on Oct. 6 in Buitendorp's court.
Chicago Tribune
5 days ago
- Chicago Tribune
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.
