LAKE COUNTY, Ind. -- A 30-year-old Gary man is behind bars after driving erratically and possessing drug paraphernalia. 

According to Indiana State Police, on March 9 at approximately 1:45 a.m., Trooper Kevin Council made a traffic stop near the 257 mile-marker of I-65 on a 2005 Ford Mustang for "weaving and traveling significantly under the posted speed limit while traveling in the left lane."

"During the traffic stop, Trooper Council, along with Trooper James Williams, made several observations that led them to initiate an O.W.I. investigation." said ISP.

Authorities say during the traffic stop; they located narcotics on the suspect as well as a modified handgun found under the driver's seat. 

As a result, Lorenzo Watkins was transported to the Lake County Jail for a certified breath test but later transported to Southlake Methodist Hospital where a warrant was requested and granted by a Lake County judge for a blood draw.

Watkins is preliminarily charged with the following offenses:

Possession of a Machine Gun- Level 5 Felony

Possession of Methamphetamine with an Enhancing Circumstance- Level 5 Felony

Possession of a Controlled Substance with an Enhancing Circumstance- Level 6 Felony

Possession of Methamphetamine- Level 6 Felony

Unlawful Possession of a Legend Drug- Level 6 Felony

Neglect of a Dependent- Level 6 Felony

O.W.I. Endangering a Person- Class A Misdemeanor

Possession of a Controlled Substance Schedule I, II, III, or IV- Class A Misdemeanor

Operating While Intoxicated- Class C Misdemeanor

Operating a Vehicle Without Ever Receiving a License- Class C Misdemeanor

Possession of Marijuana- Class B Misdemeanor

During the investigation, a report was also filed with the Department of Child Services as there was a juvenile in the vehicle. The child was turned over to a family member at the scene of the traffic stop.

Watkins was later transported to the Lake County Jail.