New Chicago Police Chief Earl Mayo, who is accused of pawning guns seized in police investigations, bonded out of the Lake County Jail on Friday after he was extradited from the Clark County Jail in Springfield, Ohio.
Lake County Sheriff Oscar Martinez Jr. said in an emailed statement that officers extradited Mayo back to Indiana on Thursday and transported him to the Lake County Jail. He was later released after posting a $7,000 bond, according to court records.
Mayo, 45, of Merrillville, is facing seven felonies related to selling guns confiscated in town police investigations and selling them to a Hobart pawn shop, and for allegedly possessing an anabolic steroid. His co-defendant, 47-year-old Tanika Roshawn Borders, also of Merrillville, is charged with assisting Mayo and possession of anabolic steroids.
Mayo’s initial hearing is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on June 5.
Police arrested him in Ohio on May 22. The New Chicago Police Commission is expected to place Mayo on suspension at its June 1 meeting, according to Town Attorney Lloyd Mullin.
The alleged thefts came to light after police tracked a firearms trace from a deputy prosecutor for a handgun. Police said it had been seized as evidence by New Chicago police. The trace led to a Hobart pawn shop. The pawn shop manager told police Mayo sold 12 guns to the shop.
Mullin was unsure if town officials checked Mayo’s background when he was hired. A public access site of Indiana court dockets showed a theft misdemeanor conviction in 2000.
On Wednesday, Martinez said the department is actively investigating the Mayo case and working alongside federal and state law enforcement partners. He said federal or state officials may decide to oversee the investigation or adopt the case.
“The Lake County Sheriff’s Department remains committed to conducting a thorough, professional and impartial investigation,” the statement said.
The case is complicated by the fact that Mayo is the son of Lake County Democratic sheriff nominee State Police Maj. Jerry Williams.
“If it is ultimately established that Earl engaged in the conduct alleged by the government, then he must and should accept responsibility for his actions and face the consequences,” Williams said in a statement released May 23.
Freelance reporter Carole Carlson contributed.
