A Chesterton resident is facing if convicted a maximum term of 50 years after the Porter County Drug Task Force (DTF) said that he transacted a drug deal within 1,000 feet of Westchester Intermediate School.

Carlos Martinez Jr., 42, of 492 Gladys Lane, was booked into the Porter County Jail on Tuesday on charges of dealing in cocaine and dealing in a substance represented to be a controlled substance.

The first count was filed as a Class A felony—punishable by a term of 20 to 50 years—because the DTF said that Martinez sold cocaine at his residence, located east of Fifth Street and close to the Intermediate School.

The second count is a Class D felony punishable by a term of six months to three years.

According to the probable cause affidavit filed by DTF, on Aug. 29, 2012, a confidential source (CS) purchased a purported seven grams of cocaine from Martinez at the latter’s home, in a deal monitored by DTF agents.

“The powder was field-tested and tested positive for cocaine,” DTF said.

Then, on Jan. 9, DTF was informed by Great Lakes Labs that the powder was also found to contain 6.53 grams of Lidocaine, which “is not a controlled substance but does require a prescription.”