Lake County Sheriff Candidates Debate Commissary Fund, ICE Cooperation

Democratic and Republican candidates share views on oversight, transparency, and immigration enforcement

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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The majority of the candidates for Lake County Sheriff who participated in a Wednesday debate emphasized the need to rein in the department's commissary fund as well as mixed emotions about cooperating with ICE. The Democratic candidates who participated were Jerry Williams, Steven Flores, Maria Garcia Trajkovich, Edward Jenkins and Jason Gore. The only Republican candidate, former Lake County Sheriff's Department officer David K. Crane Jr., also participated.

Why it matters

The Lake County Sheriff's Department has faced scrutiny over its improper spending of nearly $300,000 from the jail's commissary fund, raising concerns about transparency and accountability in the department. The candidates' positions on cooperating with ICE also reflect the broader debate around immigration enforcement and protecting the rights of undocumented residents.

The details

Auditors flagged 221 purchases totaling $265,000 from the jail's commissary fund from January 2022 to December 2024 that violated state law, noting that the department often mischaracterized the expenses. Candidates shared their plans to improve oversight and transparency if elected, including hiring a comptroller, conducting regular audits, and making commissary fund spending publicly available. On the issue of cooperating with ICE, the candidates expressed a range of views, with some saying they would follow state law and others emphasizing the need to protect the rights of undocumented residents.

  • The debate was held on Wednesday, March 5, 2026.
  • The state audit covered the period from January 2022 to December 2024.

The players

Jerry Williams

A Gary native who has worked for the Indiana State Police for 32 years, rising to the rank of Major.

Steven Flores

The St. John Chief of Police, who has 25 years of law enforcement experience and has worked on cases with the Northwest Indiana Major Crimes Task Force.

Maria Garcia Trajkovich

A 27-year veteran of the Lake County Sheriff's Department, where she started in the jail records department and became a police officer.

Edward Jenkins

A Lake County Deputy Sheriff who has served the department for nearly 30 years, including a stint assisting the Gary Police Department Homicide Unit.

Jason Gore

A 27-year veteran of the Merrillville Police Department, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, and U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

David K. Crane Jr.

A former Lake County Sheriff's Department officer who worked for the department for 17 years before retiring after being injured in the line of duty.

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What they’re saying

“Who is going to arrest the sheriff if he's committed a crime? I'm not the person to tell the sheriff what to do.”

— Maria Garcia Trajkovich, Candidate for Lake County Sheriff (chicagotribune.com)

“Accountability and transparency is what it takes. We're going to continue that at the sheriff's department. We're going to have audits, internal audits, that we're going to do constantly to make sure that our funds are being spent where they need to be spent and they are being spent smart.”

— Steven Flores, Candidate for Lake County Sheriff (chicagotribune.com)

“If they come here and they are violating policy, they are violating procedures, they are violating state laws, I think … we can speak up. But, if they are coming here doing their jobs, following their rules, following the laws, following their policies and procedures – like we have to – I'm fine with that because there are people that they should be going after that are violent felons or violent criminals.”

— Steven Flores, Candidate for Lake County Sheriff (chicagotribune.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.