Three arrested in two separate traffic stops in La Porte County

LAPORTE COUNTY, Ind. – Three people were arrested in two separate incidents Dec. 19 after officers found illegally possessed firearms in their cars.

At 5:50 p.m. on Dec. 19, two La Porte County deputies responded to the scene of a disabled vehicle on U.S. 421.

The driver of the vehicle, 47-year-old Michael Catalano of Knox, was found with an open container of alcohol, a loaded .22 magnum revolver, and methamphetamine in his possession.

Catalano was taken into custody and transported to Northwest Health – La Porte campus, before being transported to the La Porte County Jail.

He was arrested on the following charges:

• Felon in Possession of a Firearm (Level 5 Felony)
• Possession of Methamphetamine (Level 6 Felony)

About 90 minutes later, another officer with the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office was traveling eastbound on U.S. 20, just west of Fail Road, when he saw a westbound vehicle exceeding the speed limit.

The captain initiated a traffic stop on U.S. 20, just west of Range Road, and approached the vehicle.

The captain identified the driver as 41-year-old Lea Staggers of Chicago.

The front seat passenger gave the captain a variety of false names but was eventually identified as 39-year-old Lanardo Daniels of Chicago.

The driver and passenger were taken into custody and the captain found an open container of alcohol and a 9mm handgun, which belonged to Staggers, in the vehicle.

Two deputies arrived on the scene and assisted the captain in transporting Daniels and Staggers to the La Porte County Jail.

Daniels was arrested for False Informing (Class B-Misdemeanor).

Staggers was arrested for Carrying a Firearm without a Permit (Class A-Misdemeanor).

All three are currently being held in the La Porte County Jail on cash bonds.