Ex-Merrillville police chief wanted in sex ring

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By Times Staff and Wire Reports | Thursday, July 03, 2008 | (16 comment(s))

Former Merrillville Police Chief Jerry McCory faces a charge of patronizing a prostitute.

The allegation against McCory, 56, is linked to charges announced Wednesday against an Indianapolis police officer accused of helping his wife run a prostitution ring from their suburban Indianapolis home, according to court documents.

Lake County Treasurer John Petalas - who served on the Merrillville Town Council when McCory was chief - said McCory seemed "very above board" as police chief.

"That's not the Jerry McCory I knew, if it's true," Petalas said.

Town Council President Ron Widing echoed Petalas' surprise.

"He ran a tight ship," Widing said.

"That shocks me."

A journeyman public safety official, McCory served as Merrillville's chief for more than 10 years before he left in the early 1990s. McCory has directed the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute and advised former Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson. He also led state commissions combating drug use and drunken driving. He most recently worked for the Marion County Sheriff's Department, but he left that job abruptly last week, according to the Indianapolis NBC affiliate.

Current Merrillville Police Chief Joseph Petruch worked with McCory.

"I'm sorry to hear about it," Petruch said.

Indianapolis police Officer Jeremy Lee faces a charge of aiding in promoting prostitution. According to court documents, Lee, 30, collected money from prostitutes hired by his wife, Lori Vernon-Lee, while wearing his police uniform. Arrest warrants were issued Wednesday for the couple and McCory.

According to an affidavit, Vernon-Lee, 36, is charged with five felony counts of promoting prostitution for allegedly operating the illegal escort service from home in the Indianapolis suburb of Greenwood.

It was not immediately clear whether any of the three were in custody Wednesday. A phone message seeking comment was left at a number listed under McCory's name.

Lee and Vernon-Lee could not be reached for comment because there was no listing for them.

Vernon-Lee allegedly recruited women to serve as escorts and then advertised their services in a weekly Indianapolis newspaper. When clients called Vernon-Lee's escort service, she allegedly would arrange for a meeting between client and one of the escorts during which money was exchanged for various sex acts. Each escort would turn over part of the money she collected -- typically about half -- to Vernon-Lee, the affidavit states.

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ex-prosecutor wrote on Jul 3, 2008 7:11 PM:

" The charging affidavit is weak. There appears to be a lack of substantial evidence for a conviction. The only evidence the prosecutor has is Jerry's name in a book. Nobody deserves this type of political character assassination doled out by the prosecutor. "

To Intelligence wrote on Jul 3, 2008 4:49 PM:

" First, change the moniker because you make a really stupid statement. One bad cop makes all cops bad ? Would you have trusted the Chicago Officer who was slain last night in the line of duty ? You need to think before making broad pathetic statements like that. "

RE PV and Legalize wrote on Jul 3, 2008 4:12 PM:

" To PV, obviously he's not THAT nice, otherwise he wouldn't have done what he and his wife did. As to Legalize and PV, prostitution is illegal, because almost 99.999% of the time, the women are forced to do it because of a pimp. It's a darn good way for these women to fall into the hands of a killer and a very good way to spread disease. Also, if you haven't noticed....prostitution is considered a form of slavery!! Which is wrong on all counts!!! If you wanna give it away for free, by all means go for it. Most of you people out there do, and that's your perogative. But asking for money or getting paid for it, is a whole other issue. "

Former CoWorker wrote on Jul 3, 2008 2:58 PM:

" Geez, I agree that this is between he and his family.
However, he imposed his "Beliefs" where he deemed fit while Chief. And let me tell you, he knew exactly how to do it. You better have the same beliefs, ie. religious, political, etc. Jerry McCory was the birth of politics in the Merrillville PD and all the politics today in that department are a direct result of him. "

Disgusted wrote on Jul 3, 2008 2:56 PM:

" Everyone hates the cops until you need one! Are anyone of you, that are slamming them willing to do their job?!! They are human like anyone else. If he's guilty than he messed up and should pay the price. But cops do not cover for one another no matter what. That is stereotyping EVERY single police officer in every single department. Just because you have a bad experience with them doesn't make it their fault. Maybe you messed up! Grow up, and think about whether you are willing to do their job. I'm guessing not. "

CJ Dunnaway wrote on Jul 3, 2008 1:32 PM:

" Why can't government/people stay out of other people's bedrooms? I think you're jealous that other people actually enjoy themselves, and your false morality has no place in modern society. Mind your own business! "

Intellegence wrote on Jul 3, 2008 1:30 PM:

" EXACTLY THE REASON WHY I WILL NEVER TRUST A COP!! THEY ARE NO DIFFERENT THAN YOU OR I, EXCEPT THE FACT THEY HAVE ARRESTING POWERS. WHICH IN MANY CASES ARE ABUSED. "

And this is a surprise wrote on Jul 3, 2008 12:54 PM:

" After all, he was the Chief of Police so if anyone knew how to cover up something like this, it would be him. Of course, over the years, I bet they were close to getting caught, but I'm sure he probably talked his way out of it with the "boys in blue!" Those guys cover each other's back for just about anything. "

Legalize wrote on Jul 3, 2008 12:53 PM:

" Why is it illegal to sell something that is perfectly legal to give away? "

Geez wrote on Jul 3, 2008 11:47 AM:

" Let's not over-react. He didn't kill anybody and he didn't steal anything. He entered into an agreement, albeit an illegal one, to pay someone to provide a personal service. He got what he wanted and she got what she wanted. Nobody was hurt, nobody was unhappy. This is only a problem for thse who want to impose their moral beliefs onto others. And let's face it, this should only be an issue that he may or may not have with his family--that's the only place where there should be any accountability.
Let's get off the righteous bandwagon, this does not make him a bad citizen or any less of a public servant. "

merrillville wrote on Jul 3, 2008 11:28 AM:

" Way to go Merrillville, and they said that gary was bad. "

Former CoWorker wrote on Jul 3, 2008 8:53 AM:

" You all obviously were taken in by this man. We who knew and worked with him knew better. He wasn't the God you all worshiped at the feet of. He just put on a real good show. "

Really wrote on Jul 3, 2008 8:53 AM:

" You guys are shocked that a cop got busted doing something illegal? Say it ain't so. What is this world coming to? "

PV wrote on Jul 3, 2008 8:11 AM:

" Wow!!! As somebody who lived in M-Ville as a kid and later as a homeowner I'm shocked that Jerry McCory is being accused of this.
Jerry is a good man and I hope that everything comes out in the wash. "

wow wrote on Jul 3, 2008 7:39 AM:

" Thats unbeliveable.. He was top cop of Merrillville and state, and now look it. This shows you people can change and be bought..Good luck Jerry!! "

Legalize wrote on Jul 3, 2008 6:52 AM:

" The world's two oldest professions, prostitution and gambling. You'll never stop it, so ya might as well legalize them, and then tax the heck out of them. "

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