The Times tried unsuccessfully to reach the officers Tuesday.

One man who answered a phone number listed for Slusser identified himself as David Desalle. Desalle said of Slusser, "I have no contact with him."

Records show, however, Desalle is listed as licensed, with Slusser, to sell guns under R&D Law Enforcement, a dealership listed in Merrillville.

Slusser, too, is listed as a gun dealer with Kabella under E&R Law Enforcement Sales, located at 448 S. Madison St. in Crown Point.

Neither R&D nor E&R is listed as being registered with the Indiana secretary of state's office.

According to public auction listings, Kumstar in April was set to sell multiple types of firearms, including military and World War II weapons and gear, at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Crown Point.

Kumstar also is scheduled to assist in other weapons auctions in September and October in Crown Point and Valparaiso.

A woman who answered the door of Kumstar's residence Tuesday refused to speak to a Times reporter.

According to a source familiar with the case, one of the officers also used county stationery to address a letter to a potential out-of-state gun buyer.