A Gary police officer is facing felony and misdemeanor Operating While Intoxicated charges following a traffic stop conducted by Indiana State Police on Interstate 94 in Porter County.
Court records show John Artibey Jr. was stopped after a trooper encountered his 2003 Ford Excursion parked on the shoulder of eastbound I-94 near the 17-mile marker. During the interaction, the trooper documented several indicators of impairment, including the odor of alcohol, bloodshot and glassy eyes, and poor performance on standardized field sobriety tests.
According to the report, Artibey failed the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus, Walk and Turn, and One Leg Stand tests. A portable breath test reportedly showed a blood alcohol concentration of 0.122 grams per 210 liters of breath.
Investigators stated that Artibey was advised of Indiana’s Implied Consent Law and agreed to certified chemical testing at the Portage Police Department. Two Intox EC/IR II breath tests were attempted, though one resulted in a mouth alcohol reading and the other produced an insufficient sample, according to certified records.
Court documents further indicate Artibey has a prior Operating While Intoxicated conviction from May 10, 2023, in Porter County, placing the current allegation within the seven-year enhancement window.
Charges were formally filed on January 21, 2026, and include:
-
Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated — Prior Conviction Within 7 Years (Level 6 Felony)
-
Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated (Class C Misdemeanor)
Gary Police Department Statement
In a statement released January 23, the Gary Police Department confirmed Corporal John H. Artibey Jr. has been placed on unpaid leave pending the outcome of the criminal case and an internal investigation.
The department said it was notified of the arrest and emphasized its commitment to transparency and public accountability. Officials confirmed Artibey was arrested by Indiana State Police on January 17, 2026, and charged with both felony and misdemeanor OWI offenses.
Police Chief Derrick Cannon stated that maintaining public trust is fundamental to effective policing and noted that the incident does not represent the department as a whole. He added that the Gary Police Department remains committed to serving the community with professionalism and integrity as the case proceeds.