3 Charged After Gary Traffic Stop Leads To Drugs And Stolen Gun

Tieasha M. Scott, 40, of East Chicago; Kimberly D. Williams, 61, of Gary; and Willie Darnell Magee, 60, of Gary, have been charged in connection with a traffic stop in Gary that resulted in the recovery of cocaine, marijuana, psilocybin, drug-packaging materials, and a loaded handgun that police said had been reported stolen.

According to court filings, around 9:28 p.m. On Thursday, August 6, 2026, Gary Police saw a white Chevrolet Tahoe driving south on Van Buren Street disregarding a stop sign near Sixth Avenue. Police pursued the car and made a traffic stop at 7th Avenue and Jackson. Scott, who was driving and the only occupant, promptly informed authorities that her driver’s license was suspended. Police said Scott continually reached inside the vehicle despite being told to stop and put her hands on the steering wheel. Officers also detected a strong stench of raw marijuana emanating from the Tahoe.

Police said Scott proceeded to reach near the center console until they noticed her holding a clear plastic bag containing a white rock-like substance. Scott allegedly threw the bag onto the driver’s-side floorboard and appeared to try to destroy it by stepping on it after receiving numerous commands. Scott was pulled from the Tahoe and handcuffed. Police also said they saw suspected marijuana on the driver’s seat and thot the white rock-like object Scott was clutching was crack cocaine.

While Scott was held, Williams and Magee allegedly approached the traffic stop on foot and attempted to intervene. Police repeatedly asked the couple to leave the location, but they allegedly refused. As officers sought to manage the incident and maintain control of Scott and the suspected drug evidence, Scott allegedly threw off her shoes, pulled away, and fled south on Jackson Street while still handcuffed. Police pursued Scott for about a block before she collapsed in the street and was put back into prison.

As officers escorted Scott back to the Tahoe, Williams and Magee allegedly entered the car and seemed to try to remove evidence. Police repeatedly told them to leave the vehicle, but they allegedly resisted. According to court filings, Scott then told Williams and Magee to “take her purse and run.” Police held all three until more officers arrived.

During a subsequent check of the Tahoe, officers discovered the suspected crack cocaine in the driver’s side floorboard and Scott’s pocketbook. Inside the purse, authorities claimed discovered a loaded 9mm pistol with one live bullet in the chamber that had been reported stolen in Indianapolis. Police also found another bag containing a white rock-like substance near the firearm, as well as two digital scales, a large number of clear plastic sandwich bags, three individually packaged bags of suspected marijuana, and ten individually packaged capsules containing suspected psilocybin mushrooms.

Police stated the two bags containing the white rock-like substance had a total weight of 9.5 grams and tested positive for cocaine. The three bags containing the green leafy substance had a gross weight of 14.1 grams and tested positive for THC/marijuana, but the ten capsules tested positive for psilocybin. Investigators also reported discovering about $160 in small-denomination cash.

According to court filings, police claimed Williams and Magee purposefully disrupted the traffic stop, distracting the officer’s attention and allowing Scott to leave while detained. Police also claimed that the couple entered Scott’s vehicle while she was being pursued and looked to be attempting to delete or destroy evidence. Investigators recovered the Tahoe’s keys from Williams, and police said marijuana found on the driver’s seat had been disturbed and distributed in an apparent attempt to conceal or destroy evidence.

Charges filed on August 7, 2026:

Tieasha M. Scott