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LaPorte man charged with driving mobile meth lab with children in car
By Stan Maddux Times Correspondent


MICHIGAN CITY | A LaPorte man is accused of driving three children in a vehicle containing a meth lab.

Louis Graham, 31, was arrested in Michigan City for neglect of a dependent and possession of methamphetamine, both Class C felonies, along with other misdemeanor charges.

He also was taken into custody for failure to pay more than $10,000 in child support, police reported.

According to Michigan City police, Graham was pulled over about 5 p.m. Monday at Barker Avenue and Poplar Street for not wearing a seat belt.

During a computer records check, several outstanding warrants for Graham’s arrest turned up and while being taken into custody revealed there was a meth lab in the car, Michigan City Police Detective Bureau Commander Cary Brinkman said.

Brinkman said the meth lab was in the form of a 20-ounce plastic soda bottle containing methamphetamine and chemicals.

It was in the passenger compartment of the vehicle, increasing the potential for danger to the three children in the event the contents exploded or the noxious fumes escaped.

His girlfriend, Shannon Stepp, 33, of LaPorte was also taken into custody.

According to police, she came out to pick up the children and was found with several active warrants on charges such as neglect of an animal.

Brinkman said the meth lab would have been found without Graham's disclosure.

That’s because the car was impounded and searched, which is standard procedure to document whatever is in a vehicle so the items are given back once a vehicle is reclaimed.