A Lake County Criminal Court jury found Jeff R. Henderson guilty on November 17, 2023, of drug dealing and resisting law enforcement following incidents earlier this year at a Motel 6 in Hammond. On Thursday, the court sentenced Henderson to 42 years of incarceration in the Indiana Department of Correction.
According to the probable cause affidavit, officers with the Hammond Police Department responded to the motel after staff reported they had asked Henderson to leave the property due to threatening behavior toward employees. Police were also aware that Henderson had an active arrest warrant at the time they arrived.
When officers attempted to take Henderson into custody, he tried to shut the motel room door and actively resisted arrest as officers entered the room to secure the scene. While attempting to detain him, officers observed multiple bags of what appeared to be crack cocaine in plain view. Police say Henderson then attempted to swallow the drugs as officers restrained him.
Following the conclusion of the trial, the jury convicted Henderson of the following charges:
-
Level 2 Felony – Dealing in a Narcotic Drug (Manufacture/Delivery/Finance), 10 grams or more
Indiana Code 35-48-4-1(a)(2) -
Class A Misdemeanor – Resisting Law Enforcement
Indiana Code 35-44.1-3-1(a)(1)
Lake County Prosecutor Bernard A. Carter thanked the officers and prosecutors involved in securing the conviction and sentence.
“The professionalism and hard work of the Hammond Police Department are greatly appreciated by our office,” Carter said. “They were quick to respond, secure the scene and properly investigate knowing this case would head to trial. Their work allowed the jury to have a comprehensive understanding of what occurred.”
The Prosecutor’s Office also recognized Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Dakotah Olah and team for their dedication to the case, as well as Detective Sergeant David Hornyak, Officer Parker, Officer Wadkins, Corporal Siba, and all other Hammond Police Department officers and detectives who assisted in the investigation.