Young Merrillville man arrested with two minors smoking marijuana

Monday, September 16, 2024 at 3:00 AM

By Kathy Bottorff

The report of a suspicious vehicle in the area of Liberty Street and Pennsylvania Avenue Friday evening, September 13th sent officers from the Plymouth Police Department to investigate.

At approximately 8:45 Officer Lovely located the suspect vehicle and immediately detected the odor of marijuana emitting from the vehicle. The three individuals were removed from the vehicle.

The driver, identified as 21 year old Jhakare Thornton of Merrillville was detained during investigation. During the investigation it was discovered that Thornton had met with two minors via Snapchat, a 14 years old and a 15 year old to smoke marijuana together.

Thornton was found to be in possession of a loaded firearm, drug paraphernalia, and marijuana. He was taken into custody and transported to Marshall County Jail where he was booked for contributing to the delinquency of a minor as a Level 5 Felony, possession of marijuana as a Class B Misdemeanor and and possession of drug paraphernalia as a Class C Misdemeanor.

One of the minors had to be transported to the Saint Joseph Hospital from the effects of the drug.

Readers are reminded that charging information supported by an affidavit of probable cause is a mere allegation that a crime has been committed and that there is only probable cause to believe a crime has been committed. They are presumed innocent throughout the proceedings and are entitled to be represented by counsel and entitled to a trial by jury at which the State is obligated to provide proof beyond a reasonable doubt before a judgment of guilt may be made.