Six people who live in the suburbs of Chicago face gun and drug crimes in federal court following an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The investigation reportedly began in 2017 and extended over a number of months.
According to reports, a 43-year-old Hillside man was charged with selling 100 grams of a heroin mixture over the course of 10 sales to an informant during the past year. He is facing a distribution charge with a potential penalty of up to 20 years in prison. In addition, four other men were charged with conspiracy in relation to the 43-year-old man’s drug trafficking activities. The conspiracy charge can carry a sentence of 10 years to life.
In the gun trafficking investigation, police reportedly charged a 38-year-old man with selling weapons four times to the same informant. He was charged with the illegal possession of firearms by a felon and is facing up to 10 years in prison. He reportedly had prior felony drug convictions out of state court, which may make a harsher sentence more likely.
Drug distribution charges are treated more seriously by the court system than simple possession offenses. People who are accused of drug distribution might benefit by seeking help from an attorney who is experienced in handling major drug crimes. A lawyer may work to negotiate a favorable plea for their client, such as securing a plea offer to a lesser offense or to a capped sentence. In some cases, a lawyer may identify problems with the evidence and be able to win dismissal of the charges against their client.
Source: The Daily Herald, “Six charged with drug, gun offenses in suburbs,” Natalie Watts, March 21, 2018.