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Police Chief Pawns Evidence Gun
A small-town Indiana police chief now faces criminal charges after prosecutors allege he sold a firearm from his own department’s evidence locker to a pawn shop — then sent officers to buy it back.
Story Snapshot
New Chicago, Indiana Police Chief Earl Mayo was arrested in Clark County, Ohio, and extradited back to Indiana to face multiple charges.
Mayo is charged with theft, official misconduct, obstruction of justice, and unlawful possession of an anabolic steroid.
Prosecutors allege he sold a gun held as evidence to a pawn shop, then attempted to have it retrieved through other officers.
Mayo’s father is Indiana State Police Major Jerry Williams, who is also a Lake County sheriff candidate, adding political sensitivity to the case.
Chief Arrested Across State Lines
New Chicago, Indiana Police Chief Earl Mayo was taken into custody in Clark County, Ohio, according to officials reported by ABC7 Chicago on June 2, 2026. [1] Authorities extradited Mayo back to Indiana, where he was subsequently released on bond. [8] The arrest of a sitting police chief in another state signals that investigators had been tracking Mayo’s movements, raising immediate questions about the scope of the alleged misconduct and what prompted him to be outside Indiana when law enforcement closed in.
Once back in Indiana, formal charges were filed against Mayo, including theft, official misconduct, obstruction of justice, and unlawful possession of an anabolic steroid. [4] The breadth of the charges suggests investigators uncovered more than a single incident, pointing to a pattern of alleged abuse of his position as the town’s top law enforcement officer. For residents who trust local police to uphold the law, the charges carry a particular sting — the man sworn to protect evidence and enforce statutes stands accused of doing the opposite.
The Pawn Shop Scheme
At the center of the case is a firearm that Mayo allegedly removed from his department’s evidence locker and sold to a pawn shop. [3] After the gun was pawned, prosecutors allege Mayo then attempted to have it bought back, reportedly directing officers to retrieve the weapon. [3] The alleged sequence — stealing evidence, monetizing it, and then trying to cover the transaction — describes a calculated abuse of authority rather than a momentary lapse in judgment, according to the charges prosecutors filed.
The attempted buyback is particularly damning because it allegedly involved other officers in the scheme, raising questions about how deep the misconduct runs within the small department. [2] Investigators also reportedly found weapons, suppressors, and steroid vials during a search of Mayo’s home in Merrillville, Indiana, which underpins the unlawful possession of an anabolic steroid charge. [4] The full evidence inventory from that search has not been made public in available reporting, leaving the complete picture of alleged wrongdoing still emerging.
A Family Name Under Scrutiny
Mayo’s father, Indiana State Police Major Jerry Williams, publicly commented on his son’s arrest and is currently a candidate for Lake County sheriff. [1] The overlap between a high-profile law enforcement family and a criminal case against a family member creates an uncomfortable dynamic for Indiana voters weighing Williams’ candidacy. The situation illustrates how misconduct by one officer can ripple outward, casting shadows on institutions and individuals connected to the accused.
This case fits a troubling pattern seen across the Chicago-area region. A former Illinois police chief, Steven Millar, faced 41 counts including money laundering and forgery after allegedly selling evidence firearms. [5] A former suburban Chicago police chief, Regina Evans, was arrested on federal charges of conspiracy to commit witness tampering and obstruction of justice. [6] Each case reinforces a hard truth: when those entrusted with enforcing the law decide the rules don’t apply to them, the damage to public trust extends far beyond the individual officer. Communities deserve law enforcement leadership that treats the badge as a responsibility, not a business opportunity.
Sources:
[1] Web – Brickbat: Pawned Off
[2] Web – New Chicago, Indiana police chief arrested in Ohio, officials say
[3] YouTube – Charges filed against New Chicago, Indiana Police Chief Earl Mayo …
[4] YouTube – New Chicago, Indiana, police chief accused of selling gun taken …
[5] Web – Charges filed against New Chicago, Indiana Police Chief Earl Mayo …
[6] Web – Former Illinois police chief, officers indicted for allegedly selling …
[8] Web – List of heads of the Chicago Police Department – Wikipedia