Gary man charged in shooting
A Gary man is facing charges for shooting his relative’s boyfriend after a brief altercation.
Jerry Wayne Jackson, 37, is charged with aggravated battery, battery by means of a deadly weapon and battery resulting in serious bodily injury.
He hasn’t been apprehended. When arrested, he is ordered held on a $7,000 cash bond.
Police responded Nov. 23 to the 1100 block of Pyramid Drive.
A woman told police that she and the victim went back to Jackson’s house after catching a show at the casino. Jackson mocked the man’s car. The victim told police he started to leave, because the situation was getting heated.
The men exchanged words when the victim was at the doorway. When the victim saw Jackson had a gun, he went for his own weapon, then Jackson opened fire.
“I’m going to jail,” Jackson said.
Jackson later told police he thought he was going to get shot. Police wrote Jackson appeared to be intoxicated.
Police found seven casings. The victim was shot in his left bicep, knee, femur, calf and foot.
Schererville man charged with child molesting
A Schererville man faces charges for child molesting.
Phillip Staples, 66, is charged with child molesting, child solicitation and performing sexual conduct in the presence of a minor.
He is in custody. His bail was reset to $5,000 cash surety on Tuesday. His next court date is Dec. 10.
Police estimated the abuse happened between October 2014 and October 2020. The victim told investigators that there were three incidents.
As a child he told her to disrobe and also took off his clothes and conducted a sex act in front of her. On the two later occasions, he told the girl to touch his genitals, court records allege.
The girl said Staples also regularly watched child pornography.
In an interview, Staples admitted watching child porn, but said he didn’t remember abusing the child.
Man charged with touching preteen girl in Gary
A man faces charges after a preteen girl said he inappropriately touched her.
Alfred Eskridge, 67, is charged with three counts of Level 4 felony child molesting.
He is in custody. His bail was reset to $5,000 cash surety on Tuesday.
Gary Police responded Nov. 24.
The victim said she woke up to find Eskridge’s pelvis pressed against her and his hand on her stomach. She alleged two other similar incidents happened in September and October.
A hallway camera showed Eskridge “fondling” himself before going into the girl’s room, then fleeing. He later told police he was in the room for 15-20 minutes. The girl said she ran to the bathroom to call her mother.
Police learned Eskridge was living temporarily at the home. Eskridge’s relative later said she kicked him out of her Chicago home for acting “inappropriately,” records state. Eskridge later said he asked the relative’s friend for a “kiss.”
Court documents allege at one point he exposed himself there to a female mail carrier.
Police wrote he had arrests in Chicago in 1977 and 2015 for public indecency and a battery arrest in 2021.
Initially, Eskridge denied touching the girl.
“Yeah, I didn’t do nothing to her,” he said.
When pressed, he admitted he didn’t have a woman, charges state, and “wished he wouldn’t have did that.”
“I’m 60-something years old,” he told police. “I’m supposed to know better. To be a better man.”
“I was hoping she wouldn’t feel me hugging on her and (touching),” he later added.
His next court date is Jan. 27.
mcolias@post-trib.com
