NORTH CENTRAL NARCOTICS TASK FORCE
Illinois State Police
NCNTF IN THE NEWS
Two charged with selling heroin in St. Charles
Daily Herald, July 16, 2010
By Susan Sarkauskas
Two men were arrested in
Matthew F. Gober, of Bloomingdale, was charged with two counts of delivery of a controlled substance, a Class 1 felony; one count of delivery of a controlled substance, a Class 2 felony; two counts of unlawful possession of a controlled substance, a Class 4 felony; and one count of unlawful possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, a Class 4 felony. Bail was set Friday at $150,000.
Patrick R. Maher, of Wood Dale, was charged with one count of delivery of a controlled substance, a Class 1 felony; possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, a Class 1 felony; and possession of a controlled substance, a Class 4 felony. His bail was set at $100,000.
Both men were being held in the
An undercover North Central Narcotics Task Force officer investigating Gober bought 1.8 grams of heroin from Gober and Maher in the parking lot of a shopping center in the 3900 block of
Gober, 52, lives in the 200 block of
The arrest of Gober concludes a three-month undercover investigation by the task force.
Their next scheduled court dates are July 28.
Suspected drug dealer busted in Aurora
Daily Herald, July 10, 2010
Anthony D. Bogard, 25, an admitted gang member living in the 200 block of
The charges are:
• Delivery of a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of Oakhurst Forest Preserve.
• Delivery of a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of St. Nicholas Catholic Church.
• Delivery of a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of the Fox River Bike Path.
• Three counts of delivery of a controlled substance.
• Three counts of possession of a controlled substance.
Bogard's arrest comes at the culmination of a three-month, undercover investigation involving the Illinois State Police's North Central Narcotics Task Force, according to a news release.
During the investigation, police said, a task force agent arranged three separate undercover crack cocaine buys with Bogard near public places.
Information was not available on how much the agent paid for the drugs or the amount of crack cocaine involved.
"Not only is the arrest of Bogard significant in taking an alleged cocaine dealer off the street, but the arrest takes a self-admitted ... gang member off the street also," Master Sergeant Jeff Kashmier said.
Bogard is being held at the
Prison records show he has served three stints behind bars on other
Most recently, Bogard was sentenced to 10 years in prison in a 2005 drug case. He was paroled in December, state records show.
The most serious charges he now faces are delivery of a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of the church and parks, Class X felonies punishable by a prison sentence between six and 30 years.
But because he has previous felony convictions, Bogard may qualify for an extended prison sentence of between 30 and 60 years.
Cops:
Daily Herald, May 28, 2010
By Josh Stockinger
Justin J. Heneghan, 23, is charged with unlawful possession of ecstasy with intent to deliver, unlawful possession of cannabis, and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, among other charges, according to court records.
Master Sgt. Bill Backus of the North Central Narcotics Task Force said agents searched Heneghan's apartment on the 100 block of
Heneghan also was charged with aggravated battery to a police officer, attempted escape and resisting police after he attempted to flee while being driven to the
"During transport, he became aggressive and started kicking the agent that was transporting him to the jail," Backus said.
The agent pulled over at Route 64 and
Woman Arrested In
CRYSTAL
May 22, 2010 8:15 pm
A
Ellie N. Alexander, 34, is currently hospitalized with non-drug related health issues and will be charged with unlawful delivery of a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a school, unlawful possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver within 1,000 feet of a school and unlawful possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, according to a release from the North Central Narcotics Task Force. All three charges are felonies.
The NCNTF received information indicating heroin sales were occurring from a home in the 0-100 block of
A search warrant was obtained prior to arresting the woman about 11:15 a.m. Thursday, the release said. Additional heroin,
The total street value of the heroin purchased and seized is about $5,000, the release said.
"The distribution of heroin in our communities continues to be a serious problem," NCNTF Director Bill Backus said. "We will do everything we can to stop the flow of heroin into
If convicted, Alexander could face a maximum of six years in prison.
Brothers Charged in
Northwest Herald, March 23, 2010
By Brett Rowland
Richard L. Bracken, 30, and Rodney L. Bracken, 32, were arrested Friday. Members of the narcotics fask force, working with officers from the Crystal Lake Police Department, seized about two ounces of heroin, prescription narcotics, drug paraphernalia, and $1,300 in cash from the house at
Investigators believe heroin was being sold from the home, which is within 1,000 feet of a day care center, said Illinois State Police Master Sgt. Tim Sebastian. They found more than 40 individual packets of heroin ready for sale. Sebastian described the suspects as "mid-to-upper level dealers."
"That's quite a large amount of heroin," Sebastian said. "We believe they were dealing locally out of the house. A lot of people are going to be hurting and looking elsewhere for drugs."
The task force began investigating the house after getting an anonymous tip through its Web site, www.ncntf.org. Agents made several undercover drug purchases from the suspects at the house, Sebastian said.
Richard L. Bracken was charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver within 1,000 feet of a school, possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, and possession of a controlled substance. He is being held at the McHenry County Jail on $100,000 bond.
Rodney L. Bracken was charged with possession of a controlled substance. He is being held on $10,000 bond.
The investigation into the drug sales is ongoing and additional arrests are expected, Sebastian said.
Police Report:
Beacon News, March 17, 2010
By Staff Writers
Demetrice Kirkwood, 31, of the 1200 block of
Officials said
Tip leads to $100K drug bust with international flavor
Monday, March 1, 2010
By Charles Keeshan - Daily Herald
Three men who traveled cross country, and a fourth who came from abroad, found themselves locked up in the McHenry County jail Sunday night, accused of taking part in a $100,000 drug deal in Crystal Lake.
The arrests came after local police, acting on what they called an "international tip," observed the alleged sale of about 50 pounds of marijuana in a residential part of the city and followed the suspects to the
"This was high yield stuff," Master Sgt. Tim Sebastian of the North Central Narcotics Task Force said of the marijuana seized in the arrests. "If (most marijuana) were hamburger, then this was T-bone steak."
Arrested were Brian M. Walkosz, 33, of
All four are charged with delivery and possession of more than 5,000 grams of marijuana and could face a mandatory six to 30 years in prison if convicted. All but Atherton remained in the county jail Monday afternoon, unable to post the $8,000 bond set for each earlier in the day.
Sebastian said the Krug and Walkosz are childhood friends who grew up together in
Lederman, Sebastian said, drove from
After observing the suspected transaction, Sebastian said, task force agents and
CL teen faces charge of dealing drugs near school
Sunday, February 21, 2010
By JILLIAN DUCHNOWSKI - jduchnowski@nwherald.com
Jeremy R. Reid, of
He was charged with possessing and delivering a controlled substance in connection with alleged incidents on Dec. 8 and Dec. 15.
“He was not a student there,” Sebastian said. “Why he picked that spot, I don’t know.”
If convicted of the most serious felony, he could be sentenced to between six and 30 years in prison.
Reid was arrested Thursday, and he was charged with misdemeanor possession of less than 10 grams of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. He was appointed a public defender Friday morning, and his next court date is Thursday. He must post 10 percent of $110,000 to be released while the cases are pending.
North Aurora man charged with growing marijuana
Published: 2/11/2010
By Josh Stockinger, Daily Herald Staff
Narcotics investigators have arrested a
Kenneth M. Gauss, 36, of the 200 block of
Master Sgt. Jeff Kashmier of the Illinois State Police's North Central Narcotics Task Force said Gauss's arrest was the result of a two-month investigation that culminated Wednesday with the execution of a search warrant at his home. He said authorities seized 24 plants and 1,357 grams of cannabis with a combined, estimated street value of $60,000.
Gauss, who appears to have no prior criminal history in
February 14, 2010
By MIKE DANAHEY mdanahey@stmedianetwork.com
An 44-year-old woman was indicted on prostitution charges stemming from a Jan. 21 raid on an Algonquin massage parlor.
According to police, a
Jin remained in custody Friday on a $15,000 bond.
According to police, Jin has an United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement hold on her, as authorities investigate her immigration and visa status.
While Jin provided a Chinese passport as identification upon her arrest, police said there is a question as to whether Jin is from
On the night of Jan. 21, police arrested Jin and another woman, who eventually was released, after executing a search warrant at Massage Co.,
The parlor was being investigated by the Algonquin Police Department, the North Central Narcotics Task Force and the Illinois State Police after complaints from local residents.
Patrons of nearby businesses and business owners said that the parlor had been open about a year and was one of the first places to open in the strip mall, which stands in front of the
Police said that while executing the warrant, they saw that the operation had a video surveillance system, a well-kept bedroom and a kitchen with cooking equipment, food cooking and a well-stocked refrigerator, along with tidy massage rooms, a small sauna and a shower room.
The warrant search came about after an undercover officer entered the establishment earlier that evening. During the course of receiving a massage, police said, Jin offered to perform a sexual act.
Contacted Friday, some locals said that it appeared that Massage Co. had not been open since the incident. Algonquin village officials have said they have not taken any formal steps yet to shut down the business.
Indoor pot a growing business
February 14, 2010
By JILLIAN DUCHNOWSKI - jduchnowski@nwherald.com
McHenry County Sheriff’s police already have seized more marijuana plants in indoor grow operations this year than they did in all of 2008.
They busted a dozen houses last year and seized a total of 2,188 plants, including the 1,438 plants found in a McHenry rental home, said Sgt. John Koziol of the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office. So far this year, sheriff’s police have found 335 plants in three homes compared with the 120 plants they found in two indoor operations during 2008.
Federal and county authorities said drug trafficking had increased overall throughout northern
McHenry
“There’s no doubt that McHenry County-sourced marijuana is being distributed across the
Instructions and advice for setting up these types of operations are readily available online, and the needed equipment is available at many gardening stores, said Master Sgt. Tim Sebastian of the North Central Narcotics Task Force. But the growers themselves were much more sophisticated than stereotypes from the 1970s of a few college-aged kids growing marijuana to share with their friends.
Marijuana is a profitable cash crop. An ounce of marijuana – about a third of a sandwich bag – cost about $50 in the 1970s but would go for $250 to $500 now, Sebastian said. Indoor marijuana growers can produce better marijuana by tightly controlling the growing environment and make more money than they would using imported marijuana.
“‘I’m basically cutting out the middle-man,’” Sebastian said, speaking of a hypothetical indoor marijuana grower. “‘I’m becoming the manufacturer and the distributor, which is more money in my pocket.’”
The North Central Narcotics Task Force confiscated 46 plants from two locations in
Some area indoor marijuana farms included plants at various stages of growth and a separate area for creating new sprouts from clippings from a high-quality plant, authorities said. Police also seized processed marijuana at area grow houses.
Overall, the North Central Narcotics Task Force seized 92,436 grams, or about 203 pounds, of processed marijuana in
Sheriff’s police seized 65 grams of heroin last year, up from 53 grams in 2008, and the North Central Narcotics Task Force seized trace amounts of heroin in two instances in
“The people we talk to on the street are telling us [heroin is] the drug of choice now,” said Koziol.
Authorities also see a fair amount of cocaine and prescription drug abuse, but methamphetamine, a scourge in downstate
McHenry County Sheriff’s narcotics leaders said they were expecting to seize more illegal drugs this year than last year. The narcotics officers have used 10 search warrants so far this year after executing 30 search warrants in 2009, Koziol said.
The sheriff’s office also recently formalized a partnership with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration in
But Sebastian, of the North Central Narcotics Task Force, cautioned that the amount of drugs police confiscate could have more to do with where in the sales cycle they catch drug dealers than with overall drug traffic. He estimated that the task force confiscated a similar amount of illicit drugs in 2007 and 2008.
Typical signs of a marijuana grow house
• Infrequent visitors to a seemingly unoccupied house
• No snow on the home’s roof
• Signs of tampering with an electric meter or stealing electricity from neighbors
• Windows open in the winter
• Covered windows
• Mold on the outside of the house
• A large amount of garbage
Report suspicions or tips to:
• North Central Narcotics Task Force at www.ncntf.org
• McHenry County Sheriff’s investigators at 815-334-4750
• McHenry County CrimeStoppers can be reached anonymously at 800-762-7867. E-mails can also be sent to tipline@co.mchenry.il.us.
Bonds set at $750K for two charged with marijuana possession
January 26, 2010
By DANA HERRA - dherra@daily-chronicle.com
SYCAMORE – Bond was set Monday at $750,000 each for two men involved in a Saturday evening shooting police have called “a prearranged drug deal that went bad.”
Genardo D. Delatorre, 22, of the 500 block of East Abe Street in Plano, and Alfredo Perez, 20, of the 1400 block of Chestnut in Yorkville, have each been charged with possession of marijuana, a Class 1 felony, and possession of marijuana with intent to deliver, a Class X felony.
Police said they received a 911 call about 4:50 p.m. Saturday reporting injuries from gunfire. According to court documents, Delatorre and Perez had been at a residence in the 12400 block of
Perez’s injuries were not life-threatening, and he appeared at Monday’s bond hearing via closed-circuit video from the DeKalb County Jail. Delatorre was not injured and also appeared via closed-circuit video.
According to court documents, police found about 32 pounds of marijuana, with a street value of $145,500, in the bed of a pickup truck inside a garage on the rural Waterman property. Identical reports in each man’s court file said investigators believe Delatorre and Perez drove the drugs from
The incident is being investigated by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office, DeKalb City Police, North Central Narcotics Task Force, Waterman Police, and Waterman and Shabbona fire departments, according to the sheriff’s office. Sheriff Roger Scott said the investigation is progressing and more arrests are expected.
Class 1 felonies are punishable by up to 15 years in prison and Class X felonies are punishable by up to 30 years in prison. Delatorre and Perez are both due back in court on Thursday for a status hearing.
Prostitution Arrest at Algonquin Massage Parlor
January 22, 2010
By Charles Keeshan
An employee at Algonquin massage parlor is facing a felony prostitution charge after her arrest Thursday night on allegations she offered an undercover police officer more than Swedish or Shiatsu.
Jinfu F. Jin, 44, of Algonquin, is accused of offering to perform a sex act for the officer who was in the business as part of an investigation into ongoing complaints about it from its neighbors and others.
The charge normally is a misdemeanor, but authorities upgraded it to a Class 4 felony because the business, Massage Co., in the 4000 block of
Police also are questioning a second woman working at the parlor, but she has not been charged at this time. A patron inside the business when police made the arrest was not charged because there was not enough evidence to prove he was doing something illegal, said Master Sgt. Tim Sebastian of the North Central Narcotics Task Force.
Sebastian said Algonquin police asked his agency to assist with an investigation launched in December after the department received numerous complaints of suspicious activity at the parlor, which is in a strip mall near the day care center, as well as an ice cream shop, karate school and cooking store.
"We performed surveillance and noticed it was all male clientele going in, which isn't illegal but it caught our attention," he said.
On Thursday evening, an undercover officer went into the business for a massage, during which, Sebastian said, Jin propositioned him. The officer left and task force agents later entered with a search warrant to arrest Jin. Officers also discovered condoms, lubricants and numerous items indicating both women made the business their residence as well as workplace, authorities said.
Calls to Massage Co. were not being answered Friday and a sign outside the business said it was closed.
Jin, Sebastian said, is a Chinese national who was in the country with a passport and visa. Because of the living arrangements inside the business, he added, the task force is working with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to determine whether the women might be the victims of human trafficking.
The owner of the business, he said, has yet to be identified.
Jin, who is scheduled to appear in court Jan. 29, could be sentenced to one to three years in prison, or probation, if convicted of felony prostitution.
January 13, 2010
By AMBER KROSEL - akrosel@nwherald.com
ALGONQUIN – An Algonquin couple was charged this week for allegedly operating an illegal drug trafficking ring in and around several downtown taverns.
Michael A. Cherbak, 44, and Jody A. Martin, 43, both of 904 Mohican Drive, remained in McHenry County Jail Wednesday night. They were arrested on Tuesday following a five-month investigation, which included several undercover purchases of controlled substances in the downtown Algonquin area.
The investigation was initiated in September 2009 after North Central Narcotics Task Force agents and the Algonquin Police Department received tips about the trafficking. Illinois State Police also assisted in the investigation.
On Tuesday, agents seized several ounces of cocaine and marijuana, hypodermic syringes, drug paraphernalia and $1,000 in cash. The amount of cocaine was valued at more than $10,000, and marijuana at more than $2,000, said North Central Narcotics Task Force Master Sgt. Tim Sebastian.
Much of the undercover activity occurred at Bullwinkle's on
Cherbak was charged with three counts of unlawful possession of a controlled substance, two counts of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia, unlawful possession of marijuana, and obstructing justice.
The highest charge – delivery of a controlled substance – is a Class X felony, punishable with between six to 30 years in prison. Cherbak's bond was set at $150,000 Wednesday.
Martin was charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. Her bond was set at $10,000.
The investigation is ongoing and police said they expect additional arrests in the near future.
Residents with any additional information should call the North Central Narcotics Task Force at 847-961-6747 or visit www.ncntf.org.
7 Nabbed in Online Sex Sting
January 5, 2010
By MATT HANLEY
The recent sting targeted the erotic sections of Craigslist and Backpage.com.
Two men and five women were charged with solicitation of a sexual act after they either responded to an ad posted by
The operation took place Wednesday night and lasted into the early morning hours of New Year's Eve, police said.
The erotic ads posted on Web sites have long been a target of
City of
"It's pretty clear what the ads are offering," Ferrelli said. "The bottom line of these types of operations is to get this type of behavior to stop in the city limits. And to a large extent we've been successful."
Obviously, it's difficult to measure the number of people who did not participate in a crime because of
"To that end, that shows these operations are making a difference," Ferrelli said.
Ferrelli said the department will continue to investigate and prosecute these online meetings.
"It's not good for the image of the city, and it's certainly not good for the people who participate in these activities," he said.
Sometimes people who respond to erotic services ads become victims of robberies, attacks or sexual assaults, Ferrelli said.Police said the following people were charged with solicitation of a sexual act last week:
Gordon Luedtke, 48, 32W000 block of Church Hill Lane, Wayne; Rafael Medrano (also known as Sandra Medrano), 34, 1100 block of Lebanon Street, Aurora; Kathleen Szarowicz, 23, of Grandville, Mich.; Nicole Deuchler, 29, 1000 block of Fenton Street, Aurora; Victoria Clausen, 20, 200 block of Nippert Avenue, Romeoville; Heather Kroner, 21, of Van Buren, Ark.; and Wendy Negron, 34, 2500 block of South Finley Road, Lombard.
Kane
Daily Herald, December 11,2009
By Josh Stockinger
A
David J. Johnson, 38, pleaded guilty to unlawful delivery of a controlled substance and was sentenced in a plea deal accepted by Judge Thomas E. Mueller. He had faced up to 30 years for the Class X felony.
Johnson was one of two
Police at the North Central Narcotics Task Force have said Johnson and Mattix routinely dealt cocaine in the Western suburbs and were arrested in Lisle after failing to show up for an undercover drug buy. In addition to prison time, Johnson was ordered to pay about $6,500 in court fines and costs, according to court records.
Mattix remained in the county jail with bond set at $150,000.
Elgin man charged in $5M pot bust
The Courier News, December 8, 2009
By STEVEN ROSS JOHNSON
ST. CHARLES -- An
William Santana, 41, of the 800 block of Waverly Drive, was charged last month with one count of cannabis trafficking as the result of a five-month, multi-agency investigation that led to the seizure of about 2,300 pounds of marijuana valued at more than $5 million.
He remained in custody Monday in the
"In my recollection, this one of the largest,"
Among the others charged was Huntley resident Joseph Lichay, 48, of the 113 block of
The arrests were the culmination of an investigation that began in July and was led by the North Central Narcotics Task Force. The multi-agency unit investigates drug, firearm and gang offenses in Kane, DeKalb and McHenry counties.
The NCNTF's director, Master Sgt. Bill Backus, said seizures were made at two locations in
Backus said the rest was found at a warehouse in the 2200 block of
Backus said the pot allegedly was transported to the area from
"The group of individuals that are currently charged -- as well as additional individuals that are going to be indicted at a statewide grand jury with the Attorney General's office later this week -- were part of an ongoing drug trafficking organization responsible for what we allege (was) distributing amounts of cannabis in this range repeatedly," he said. "This is just one shipment -- we are alleging that this has happened on repeated occasions over a long period of time."
Santana and Lichay are both to appear in court Friday. If convicted, each man could face between 12 and 60 years in prison and fines of up to $400,000.
Also charged were Edwardo Alanis-Garcia, 43, of the 200 block of North Street, Melrose Park, with bail set at $5 million; Jose Arriaga, 36, of the 9700 block of South Commercial, Chicago, with bail at $10 million; Fabricio Mendiola, 36, of the 3000 block of South Eves, Chicago, with bail at $5 million; and Santos Nuñez, 48, last known address on Calumet Street, Chicago, with bail at $5 million.
Kane
Northwest Herald, December 7, 2009
By AMBER KROSEL
A Huntley man and five others have been charged in running a multimillion-dollar marijuana trafficking ring out of
A five-month investigation by local, state and federal agencies led to the seizure of more than one ton of marijuana with a street value of more than $5 million, as well as the arrests of the following:
• Joseph Lichay, 48, of the 113 block of Fleetwood St., Huntley.
• Jose Arriaga, 36, of the 9700 block of South Commercial, Chicago.
• Edwardo Alanis-Garcia, 43, of the 200 block of
• Fabricio Mendiola, 36, of the 3000 block of South Eves,
• Santos Nunez, 48, of a last known address on
• William Santana, 41, of the 800 block of Waverly,
Bail has been set at $10 million for Lichay and Arriaga, and $5 million each for Alanis-Garcia, Mendiola and Nunez. Santana remained in
Each is charged with one count of marijuana trafficking, a Class X felony punishable with a sentence of between 12 and 60 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections and up to a $400,000 fine.
The North Central Narcotics Task Force investigation culminated with the Nov. 23 seizure of 2,300 pounds of marijuana with an approximate street value of $5.2 million, eight vehicles, and about $480,000 in cash.
The investigation began in July and included the efforts of the Illinois Attorney General’s Office,
Authorities believe that the seizure is one of the largest resulting from an investigation into suspects living in
The case remains under investigation.
The six will next appear in court this week from Tuesday through Friday at the
Man pleads not guilty to dealing crack in
Daily Herald, November 19, 2009
By Josh Stockinger
A
Michael A. Mattix, 46, of the 1900 block of
Mattix was one of two
Officials at the North Central Narcotics Task Force say Mattix and his co-defendant, David J. Johnson, 37, routinely dealt crack cocaine in the suburbs and sold it to narcotics agents in
Calculated criminal drug conspiracy is a Class X felony with a standard sentencing range of six to 30 years in prison.
Both men remained in the county jail Thursday on $150,000 bonds. Johnson, who hasn't entered a plea yet, returns to court Dec. 4.
Schaumburg man charged in Kane drug deal
Daily Herald, June 4, 2009
By Josh Stockinger
A
Justin B. Altergott, 18 of the 500 block of
Master Sgt. Bill Backus of the North Central Narcotics Task Force said Altergott sold 50 ecstasy pills with a street value of about $1,500 to a narcotics investigator.
Altergott was charged with two felony counts of manufacturing 15 to 200 ecstasy pills, a Class X felony punishable by up to 30 years in prison, court records show.
He was being held in the Kane County jail Thursday in lieu of $100,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court June 12 before Judge James C. Hallock.
Police: St. Charles women sold pot to cops
Daily Herald, June 4, 2009
By John Stockinger
A St. Charles woman faces multiple felony drug charges after selling a quarter-pound of marijuana to an undercover narcotics agent, police said Thursday.
Charity R. Sund, 36, of the 1900 block of Wessel Court, was arrested about 6:10 p.m. Wednesday after carrying out a drug deal in a business parking lot along Randall Road in South Elgin, said Master Sgt. Bill Backus of the North Central Narcotics Task Force.
Backus, who estimated the drugs’ street value at $800, said it was one of several occasions in which Sund sold drugs to undercover police in recent months.
“The investigation is ongoing, and additional arrests are expects,” he said. Sund is charged with three counts of marijuana delivery between 30 and 50 grams, and two counts of marijuana delivery between 10 and 30 grams, court records show.
If convicted of the most serious offense, Sund could be sentenced to two to five years in prison of up to two and a half years probation.
Bond information for Sund was not available Thursday afternoon. She was being held in the county jail pending a June 18 court appearance before Kane County Judge Patricia P. Golden.
Forum fills parents in on dangerous kids face
The Beacon News, April 20, 2009
By Charloette Norgaard
Society has changed quite a bit since today’s parents were once middle and high school students.
“What’s the Buzz,” a forum this month in Geneva, gave parents the chance to see and hear firsthand the temptations out there for today’s youth.
Sponsored by Geneva Coalition for Youth, the forum was designed to update parents on drugs of choice for area youth, the teen party scene and the use and abuse of energy drinks.
Many parents typically don’t see the danger in the use of energy drinks such as Red Bull and Monster because they do not realize that many of these drinks contain larges amounts of caffeine and other stimulants that are not good for bodies that are still developing.
“We thing this is safer the drinking (alcohol), but their not really very good for us,” said Mary Zupke, a registered dietician for Delnor Hospital.
Although not typically viewed as dangerous, caffeine does have negative side effects including slowing of brain activity, stomach upset and anxiety.
“We don’t really know that much about the effects of caffeine. We need to view is as a drug now,” said Zupke, who added that certain energy drinks, which are sold in much larger containers than a typical can of soda, also contain alcohol.
Stronger drugs
Master Sgt. Bill Backus of the North Central Narcotics Task Force told parents that today’s illegal drugs are much stringer than 20 years ago,
“It’s not the weed from Woodstock,” he said. “It’s much more potent and more different.”
Backus said that overdoses from drugs like cocaine and heroin occur with higher purity levels.
So what can a parent do? Establish clear expectations on tobacco, alcohol, drugs and technology, and set consequences in advance for violation of these expectations, the experts advised.
In addition, get savvy with today’s technology, and get involved when a child goes to a party of sleepover by calling the host in advance to ensure that the party will be properly supervised, walk children to the door when dropping them off, and even stop by later with a treat to make sure a child is in a safe environment.
“It’s a great way to make sure your kids are safe,” said Julie Poulily a member of the Geneva Coalition for Youth.
Cocaine, fake cash seized in Crystal Lake home.
Northwest Herald, March 27, 2009
By Amber Krosel
Crystal Lake – More than a half-kilogram of cocaine and $14,000 in fake cash were seized Wednesday morning from a Crystal Lake home, authorities said.
About 7:45 a.m., members of the Illinois State Police North Central Narcotics Task Force and Crystal Lake police executed a search warrant at 751 Savannah Lane in Crystal Lake. The warrant was a result of information obtained by task force that the home’s residents were involved in drug trafficking, according to a news release.
The search uncovered more than $51,000 of cocaine in street value, numerous drug paraphernalia items, and more than $1,600 in cash.
An additional $14,000 in counterfeit money also was found, as well as three pistols – one of which has been reported stolen from McHenry.
One subject – whom police did not identify Wednesday – was charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, unlawful possession of a firearm, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.
An Illinois State Police Tactical Response Team also assisted with the search.
The Investigation remains ongoing.
Aurora arrests lead to major ecstasy distribution bust
Beacon News Staff, March 27, 2009
By (?)
What started with an undercover drug sale in Aurora has led to a huge ecstasy bust ensnared suspects in two countries and four states, law enforcement officials said Thursday.
Police are calling the arrest a major blow to the trafficking of ecstasy in several parts of the Midwest.
On March 11, Phanthip Thepavong of Aurora and Somsak “Sock” Keovilaysone of Rockford were arrested after delivering 20,000 ecstasy pills to an undercover agent in Aurora, according to the Illinois State Police North Central Narcotics Task Force.
Two 22-year-old men who delivered the drugs from Canada to Thephavong were also arrested, police said. Hong Kep Nanthavong and Seng Doune Phanthalavone of Windsor, Ontario, Canada, were charged with conspiracy to deliver ecstasy.
The Aurora arrests were conducted by the North Central Narcotics Task Force in conjunction with the Milwaukee High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force. They dubbed the effort “Operation Dirty Sock,” an undercover investigation that lasted 18 months.
At 6 a.m. March 12 – the morning after the Aurora sale – the arrest phase of the operation initialed with search warrants and “knock and talk” encounters in North Aurora and West Chicago, as well as Milwaukee, Wis.; Symyrna and Rockville, Tenn.; St. Petersburg, Fla.; and Ontario, Canada.
In total, about 42,900 ecstasy pills were recovered in the operation, authorities said.
In addition to the ecstasy pills that were seized during the undercover aspect of the investigation, police recovered 20,000 ecstasy pills, four handguns and a quarter kilogram of cocaine in Aurora; 18,000 ecstasy pills in St. Petersburg; 2,000 ecstasy pills in the Nashville; plus several pistols, an assault rifle and vehicles, police said.
According to police, the arrest dealt a major blow to the flow of ecstasy into the Aurora and Rockford areas, as well as Milwaukee, St. Petersburg and Nashville. More arrested are expected in the near future.
North Aurora man charged with coke, ecstasy possession.
Dailey Herald, March 13, 2009
By Josh Stockinger
A North Aurora man was charged with multiple drug offenses after narcotics investigators searched his home, police said Friday.
Sonedaophet N. Thephavong, 28, of the 1400 block of Oakland Circle, is charged with manufacturing and possession of 15 to 200 ecstasy pills and 15 to 100 grams of cocaine, according to Kane County Circuit Court records.
Master Sgt. Bill Backus of the North Central Narcotics Task Force said Thephavong was apprehended about 6:30a.m. Thursday after his home was search as part of an “ongoing multi-jurisdictional, multi-state operation.” He declined further comment.
The arrest took place one day after police announced the seizure of more than 20 pounds of marijuana and a kilogram of cocaine from the home of two other North Aurora men, who were subsequently charged.
Court records show Thephavong was sentenced twice in 2001 to 18 months of conditional discharge for marijuana possession and driving under the influence convictions stemming form incidents is Elburn. In 2002, he was put on six months of probation for another marijuana possession conviction in Aurora.
Thephavong was being held in the county jail Friday. Bail information wasn’t immediately available.
If convicted of the most serious charge, he faces up to 30 years in prison, with the possibility of an extended term because of his criminal history.
Alleged dealer known as ‘Mailbox’ gets 8 years
Northwest Herald, March 1, 2009
By: Staff Writer
Woodstock – A 28-year-old Chicago man was sentenced to eight years in prison for having 23 cocaine rocks and 190 grams of marijuana April 30 in a Woodstock home.
Ishamal Bailey also was ordered Friday to pay a fine of $4,950, the street value of those drugs. He faced between six and 30 years in prison after Judge Joseph Condon convicted him last month of possession of cocaine with intent to deliver within 1,000 feet of a park.
Prosecutors said Bailey, known as “Mailbox”, and another drug dealer were taking advantage of the drug addicts who rented the house at 527 Burbank Ave.
At Bailey’s sentencing hearing Friday, prosecutors said his only legitimate work history was three months as an apprentice for a sheet-metal workers’ union. Police reports show Bailey had at times possessed drugs dating back to November 1997, when he was arrested with seven bags of cocaine after waling across a school playground in Cook County.
“We have a defendant who has no concern for other people, and no respect for the lay”, Assistant State’s Attorney Dave Johnston said.
Prosecutors asked for a 17 year sentence.
Special Public Defender Richard Kelly argued that prosecutors illustrated that they didn’t take the cocaine- and marijuana-possession charges in this case seriously by offering two co-defendants who testified against Bailey probation.
“No one was hurt in this case”, Kelly said, “…There were no actual sales of drugs in this case.”
Condon, however, said that drugs are dangerous- for those who take them, those who deal them, and those who try to apprehend offenders involved with drugs.
Bailey’s older brother asked Condon to consider a religious, community based program, but Condon told him that was outside the mandated prison sentencing range.
Drug-Possession charges remain pending against the other drug dealer prosecutors mentioned in connection with the April 30 bust. Rahim Conda, 28, of Chicago, is next due in court March 18.
Parolee drug check leads to charges against 3
Beacon News Staff (Sun Times), February 25, 2009
By: Staff Writer
Early Tuesday morning, officers from five different law enforcement agencies decided to make an unannounced visit to 50 parolees in Aurora.
At 5 am, officers from Aurora, state police, the U.S. Marshall Task Force, the North Central Narcotics Task Force and the Illinois prison system contacted 50 parolees – bring 21 to the Aurora police station, according to a press release.
Of the 21 parolees brought in, 13 tested positive for illegal use of drugs, police said. It was not clear whether those people were charged with additional crimes.
Three men were arrested after the compliance check:
• Derrick Shamley, 28, of Aurora, who was wanted on a warrant for failure to appear in court on a previous driving while license revoked arrest, police said.
•Johnathan Ibister, 29, of Aurora, was charged with possession of marijuana after he was found to be in possession of approximately 6 grams of marijuana at his home, police said.
•Rafael Valenzuela, 25, of Aurora, was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver and unlawful use of a weapon by a felon after police found about 399 pills of Ecstasy, nearly 300 grams of cocaine, and a loaded semi-automatic handgun at his home, police said.
Full addresses were not available.
The Illinois Department of Corrections frequently conducts compliance checks to ensure that parolees meet the requirements of parole, police said. All parolees, when released from prison, are given conditions which they are required to follow.
Agents meet with parolees face-to-face to ensure these requirements are being met, police said.
Downtown St. Charles pharmacist indicted
Daily Herald, December 15, 2008
By Josh Stockinger
A prominent pharmacist whose family drugstore was a mainstay of downtown St. Charles for decades has been indicted on charges he illegally obtained and sold prescription medications, authorities announced Monday.
Mark L. Burger, 41, of the 1400 block of Melbourne Street, Elburn, was indicted by a Kane County grand jury Friday on multiple felony counts of unlawfully acquiring, possessing and delivering controlled substances. He surrendered to the Illinois State Police at the St. Charles Police Department Monday morning and was released on a $10,000 bond.
A former chief pharmacist at Burger Drugs, Burger is accused of dealing pharmaceuticals containing methadone, an opiate commonly used to treat heroin addiction, and the opiate pain killer hydrocodone between January 2006 and last April. If convicted, he faces up to 30 years in prison.
Earlier this year, the Illinois State Police North Central Narcotics Task Force seized large amounts of prescriptions drugs from Burger’s home near Blackberry Creek Elementary School and his family’s pharmacy, 9 E. Main St., according to court filings.
In June, Burger agreed to have his pharmacy license indefinitely suspended because of the investigation. The pharmacy closed in July after 70 years in business, the owner, Burger’s father, said then it had nothing to do with the son.
Burger is due in court Jan. 7. His attorney, Gary Johnson, declined to comment Monday.
Pharmacist Charged With Stealing, Dealing Drugs
CBS 2 Chicago, December 15, 2008
ST. CHARLES, Ill. (STNG) – A west suburban pharmacist turned himself in to police Monday after being charged with illegally possessing and delivering prescription drugs originally sold legally to the pharmacy where he worked.
Mark L. Burger, 41, of the 1400 block of Melbourne Street in Elburn, was indicted Friday by a Kane County grand jury on three counts of unlawful possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, three counts of unlawful possession, two counts of unlawful acquisition of a controlled substance and one count each of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance and unlawful possession with intent to deliver within 1,000 feet of a school, according to a release from the Kane County State’s Attorney office. Two of the charges are Class X felonies.
Following the indictment, a warrant for Burger’s arrest was issued, including a $100,000 bond, the release said. Burger surrendered Monday at the St. Charles Police Dept., posted 10 percent bail, surrendered his FOID card and was released.
Prosecutors allege that between January 2006 and April 2008 Burger at various times illegally possessed a large amount of controlled substances containing methadone and hydrocodone with the intent to deliver, the release said. State’s attorney’s office spokesman Chris Nelson said Burger worked as a pharmacist at his parents’ business, Burger Drugs, Inc., at 9 E. Main St. in St. Charles.
In March 2008, Burger illegally obtained and possessed in his house, near Kaneland Blackberry Creek Elementary School, a controlled substance containing methadone that he intended to deliver, prosecutors allege. And in February 2008 he illegally acquired and delivered a controlled substance containing hydrocodone.
Illinois law dictates that for a controlled substance to be lawfully possessed it must be kept at an address registered with the U.S. DEA and to be lawfully distributed, it must be in a properly marked container and must be prescribed by a doctor. Nelson said he believes Burger has been stripped of his pharmacist’s license.
The severities of the chargers vary because of the amount and types of a controlled substances involved in the different incidents. If convicted of the most serious charges, Burger could be sentenced to up to 30 years in prison, the release said.
His initial court appearance will be at 9 a.m. Jan. 7 in Courtroom 305 in front of Circuit Judge T. Jordan Gallagher in St. Charles.
Cops send another McHenry County field up in smoke
By Staff Writer
The cultivated marijuana found Wednesday in a wooded area near Illinois Highway 173 and
We’re in the process of eradicating a field,” sheriff’s Lt. Andrew Zinke said Thursday afternoon. “We’re estimating about 4,000 plants.”
ZInke said the plants were 6 to 8 feet and some tents were found near the field. No one was arrested. The estimated value of the plants was $4 million, Zinke said.
Zinke said police are working with the federal Drug Enforcement Administration, the North Central Narcotics Task Force, the Lake County Metropolitan Enforcement Group and McHenry County Conservation District police.
He said the marijuana was spotted during a helicopter survey. Earlier Wednesday, authorities destroyed about 1,200 marijuana plants, with an estimated value of $1.2 million, which were found growing in a field near Harvard. Two other fields were found in late July near Hebron.
Crystal Lake man, driver arrested in cocaine bust
Daily Herald, August 4, 2008
By Charles Keeshan
A 24-year-old Crystal Lake man remain behind bars Monday at the McHenry County jail, facing a dozen of felony charges alleging he sold cocaine to an undercover narcotics agent 4 times since June, at times just across the street from a local church.
Alberto Salazar, 320 Van Buren, faces up to 30 years in prison if convicted of the charges stemming from an investigation that began several weeks ago with an anonymous tip to CrimeStoppers.
Members of the North Central Narcotics Task Force arrested Salazar on Friday when, according to court documents, he arrived at an arranged drug transaction outside Crystal Lake convenience store with 28 grams of cocaine, valued at about $1,400.
The store is located across the street from St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church.
Arrested with him was his roommate, Jesus A. Callejas, 24, who faces six felony drug charges stemming from two alleged cocaine sales to an undercover officer. Task Force Master Sgt. Tim Sebastian said Callejas served as Salazar’s driver. Callejas too faces a maximum of 30 years in prison if found guilty of all charges.
In all, court documents state, authorities seized 108.5 grams cocaine, worth about $5,425, during the investigation.
Both men are in custody unable to post a $10,000 cash bond. They are scheduled to appear in court later this week.
Nine arrested on drug-related charges
Northwest Herald, May 2, 2008
By David Fitzgerald
WOODSTOCK – Eight adults and one juvenile were arrested on various drug related charges in what one official called a “neighborhood drug house.”
Woodstock police and the Illinois State Police – North Central Narcotics Task Force said they found heroin, crack cocaine and marijuana with a combined street value of $6,500 when they searched the house at 527 Burbank Ave., Woodstock, on Wednesday morning.
The raid was the culmination of a month-long investigation of the house that included undercover officers buying drugs inside and outside of the house, NCNTF Master Sgt. Tim Sebastian said.
Sebastian said that the home was being rented by Crystal D. Ury, 39, for the past three months. Sebastian called the home a “neighborhood drug house.”
Ury faces one felony and three misdemeanor drug charges and one charge of child endangerment, and could be sentenced to up to three years in prison if convicted.
Others charged were:
-Ishmal C. Bailey, 27, could face up to 30 years in prison for a host of charges including possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver within 1,000 feet of a public park.
-Christopher J. Ury, 22, could face up to three years on drug and child-endangerment charges. He also was wanted on a warrant out of Cook County for unlawful possession of a controlled substance.
-Rahim B. Conda, 28, could face up to 15 years in prison on multiple drug-related felony charges as well as a child-endangerment charge. He was on parole through the Illinois Department of Corrections.
-Ashlei L. Greisz, 23, was charged with possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of hypodermic syringes. She could face up to three years in prison.
-Shania A. Fields, 22, could face up to 15 years in prison on various drug-related charges.
-Amber M. Kumm, 21, could face up to 15 years in prison on drug charges.
-Reva M. Ury, 18, could face up to 15 years in prison on drug charges.
-A 14-year-old female also was taken into custody and charged with possession of drug paraphernalia.
Oscar A. Fernandez-Cortez, 25, was held on an immigration violation.
All listed the Woodstock home as their address.
Three juveniles between the ages 2 and 5 were removed from the home and place with relatives. The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services will conduct an investigation.
NSP helps bust Illinois marijuana operation, from the Nebraska State Patrol Headquarters in Lincoln
The North Platte Telegraph, March 3, 2008
By Staff Writer
LINCOLN – A traffic stop on Interstate 80 near Lincoln led to the seizure of several marijuana plants and the discovery of a marijuana-growing operation in DeKalb, Ill.
Around 8:17 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 28, a trooper with the Nebraska State Patrol stopped a westbound white, 1998 Mercury Sable with Illinois plates for speeding on Interstate 80, near the 56th Street exit in Lancaster County. The trooper received consent to search the vehicle. The search led to the seizure of four marijuana plants, marijuana less than one ounce, and drug paraphernalia.
Further investigation revealed pictures on a digital camera of what appeared to be an indoor marijuana grow operation containing approximately 25-30 marijuana plants. The information suggested the illegal growing operation was contained in a residence in DeKalb.
Contact was made with the Illinois State Police North Central Drug Task Force and a search warrant was obtained for the residence in DeKalb. The search warrant executed by the Illinois State Police on Friday, February 29, led to the seizure of a marijuana-growing operation consisting of about 200 marijuana plants.
“This is a good example of how a traffic stop can lead to the discovery of criminal activity,” said Traffic Services Major Russel Stanczyk. “These officers used their investigative skills to shut down further drug trafficking. We’d like to thank the Illinois authorities for their help in dismantling this marijuana-growing operation.”
The driver of the vehicle Daniel Ward, 24, of Sycamore, Ill., and a passenger in the vehicle Will Blaser, 21, of DeKalb, were both lodged in the Lancaster County Jail on charges of harvesting marijuana, possession of marijuana less than an ounce and possession of drug paraphernalia. The pair is also awaiting extradition to Illinois on charges related to the marijuana-growing operation.
Two arrested for pot production
Daily Chronicle, March 5, 2008
By Benji Feldheim
Two local men who were arrested in Nebraska last week now have charges pending against them for growing marijuana in a home in DeKalb, police said.
Daniel Ward, 24, of Sycamore and Will Blaser, 21 of DeKalb were driving west on I-80 in Lancaster County around 8:15 p.m. Thursday when troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol reportedly stopped them for speeding.
A search of their car led to the recovery of four marijuana plants, drug paraphernalia and less than an ounce of processed marijuana, according to a news release by the NSP. A digital camera was also found, and pictures on the camera reportedly showed what appeared to be an indoor growing operation of 25-30 marijuana plants.
Early Friday morning, the North Central Narcotics Task Force in Illinois was granted a search warrant for a residence in the 800 block of Market Street in DeKalb, according to a release from the NCNTF. During the search, police seized 103 marijuana plants, enough to produce $200,000 worth of the drug, the release said. Police also reportedly recovered 84 grams of processed marijuana.
Ward and Blaser were charged in Lancaster County were with harvesting marijuana, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Other charges in DeKalb County include possession of marijuana with intent to deliver, a Class 3 felony, but have not yet been filed, according to NCNTF Director Joseph Perez.
The men are being held in Lancaster County Jail pending transfer to DeKalb County.
Calls to the NSP had not been returned as of Wednesday morning.
Raid leads to drug charges
Northwest Herald, March 7, 2008
By Tim Kane
LAKE IN THE HILLS – Police arrested a 19-year-old Lake in the Hills resident today and confiscated more than a pound of marijuana, 10 ecstasy tablets, three firearms and $11,000.
Members of a county narcotics task force, assisted by village police officers, raided the home of Christian Melendez, 315 E. Oak St., where he lived with his parents. Charges against Melendez include possession of marijuana and possession of a controlled substance with the intent to deliver. The marijuana and the ecstasy pills had a street value of $6,000, police said.
Melendez had in his possession a .38-caliber semi-automatic rifle and a 12-gauge shotgun, but did not have the required Illinois Firearm Owner’s Identification, said Tim Sebastian, a master sergeant with the North Central Narcotics Task Force.
Homeless man charged in drug ring
Daily Herald, January 11, 2008
By Larissa Chinwah
A 21-year-old homeless man was accused Thursday of selling about $5,000 worth of heroin, Ecstasy and marijuana to undercover officers in Lake in the Hills, police said.
Kevin Kniesel faces 10 felony drug charges including possession of a controlled substance and delivery of a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a park, Illinois State Police Master Sgt. Tim Sebastian said.
Kniesel had sold drug to members of the Illinois State Police North Central Narcotics Task Force, Sebastian said.
Kniesel’s arrest is related to the Dec. 19 bust that resulted in the arrest of four Crystal Lake residents, police said.
Seized then was more than $48,000 worth of heroin, Ecstacy, and marijuana from a home on the first block of Gates Street, face a combined 33 drug charges after a two-month investigation uncovered the haul, police said.
Kniesel is set to appear in bond call this morning.