A 42-year-old Lake Station woman is facing multiple felony and misdemeanor charges following a traffic stop in New Chicago that escalated into alleged threats against a police officer.
According to a probable cause affidavit, officers with the New Chicago Police Department conducted a traffic stop around 1:00 p.m. on January 8, 2026, after observing traffic violations involving a black Hyundai Elantra traveling southbound on Michigan Street.
Police determined the driver was operating the vehicle while suspended. The front-seat passenger was identified as the vehicle’s registered owner. The rear-seat passenger initially provided false identifying information that returned as “not on file.” Authorities later identified the rear passenger as Kenyana Denaye Thomas, who allegedly admitted she lied about her identity “because it was fun,” according to the affidavit.
During an inventory search of the vehicle, officers located an Indiana identification card belonging to Thomas and confirmed she had an active felony warrant at the time of the stop. Officers also recovered suspected marijuana, THC oil, and a metal container containing white powder residue believed to be cocaine from a purse Thomas had been holding. Field tests later returned presumptive positive results for marijuana and cocaine.
While being transported to the Lake County Jail, Thomas allegedly became agitated, attempted to adjust her handcuffs, threatened to spit on an officer, and directed racial slurs toward the officer. Authorities further stated that while waiting to enter the jail, Thomas stared at the officer’s name badge and allegedly threatened to have her children locate and assault the officer’s children.
Thomas was booked into the Lake County Jail.
Charges filed on January 9, 2026, include:
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Intimidation with a threat to commit a forcible felony (Level 6 felony)
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Possession of cocaine (Level 6 felony)
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False informing (Class B misdemeanor)
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Possession of marijuana (Class B misdemeanor)
Court records show Thomas also has a pending Lake County case filed in November 2025 involving charges of possession of cocaine (Level 6 felony), operating a vehicle while intoxicated endangering a person (Class A misdemeanor), and operating a vehicle while intoxicated (Class C misdemeanor).