Zion Roundup Nets 40

Three-month investigation targeted drug dealers, buyers in specific areas

By Tony Gordon

Legal Affairs Writer

Posted Tuesday, January 31, 2006

Police from 18 agencies have arrested 40 people as a result of a three-month investigation into street sales of drugs in Zion, officials said Monday.

The Operation Street Sweeper probe, under the direction of the Lake County Metropolitan Enforcement Group, targeted open-air sales in four areas of the northern Lake County city.

Police Chief Douglas Malcolm said areas known for casual small sales of crack cocaine and marijuana targeted included the 900 block of Lorelei Drive, the 2100 block of Gideon Avenue, the 2200 block of Hebron Avenue and the 2800 block of Galilee Avenue.

In 40 transactions, undercover agents purchased a total of nearly 6 ounces of crack cocaine worth an estimated $22,680 and a little more than 5 ounces of marijuana worth about $1,500.

Police said all of the purchases were recorded on video and audiotape.

On Jan. 24 and 25, 130 officers from state, federal and local police agencies arrested many of the dealers, Malcolm said.

From Thursday through Saturday, a second phase of the investigation used concentrated traffic patrols in the suspect areas to seek out the customers of the dealers.

“We went out and made traffic stops based on moving violations,” Metropolitan Enforcement Group Supervisor Mark Hobson said. “We tried to develop drug cases out of the traffic stops.

Almost all of the people arrested are from Zion, police said. They are charged with offenses ranging from felonies carrying mandatory prison terms to misdemeanors.

State’s Attorney Michael Waller said investigations such as Street Sweeper are about making neighborhoods safer for the people who live in them.

“There is nothing that ruins a neighborhood like an open-air drug market,” Waller said. “If you went out into those neighborhoods today, I am sure you would find people who are glad the drug dealers are gone.”

ZION — Forty people have been arrested, culminating a three-month drug trafficking investigation involving as many as 18 law enforcement agencies in Lake County and beyond.

During the investigation, undercover police officers and drug agents purchased crack cocaine and marijuana from drug dealers on the streets of Zion, said Zion Police Chief Doug Malcolm, noting the transactions were videotaped.

At a news conference announcing the outcome of the investigation Monday at the Zion Police Department, Malcolm praised officers for risking their lives in the operation and said the roundup of the offenders "makes our neighborhoods safer and improves the quality of life in the area."

As many as 130 officers and drug agents were involved in the investigation which began in November. Of the 40 arrested, many were charged with possession of drugs, possession with intent to sell and criminal drug conspiracy.

In addition, 30 traffic tickets and 50 written traffic violation warnings were issued.

The investigation led to searches made by SWAT teams at 2110 Gabriel Ave., 1820 Jethro Ave. and 2105 Gideon Ave., all in Zion.

During the wide-ranging operation, undercover agents made 40 purchases valued at $23,000 from street dealers including 168 grams of crack cocaine and 150 grams of marijuana, according to Patrick Gara of the Mundelein Police Department. The youngest purchaser, as observed by undercover agents, was a 12-year-old girl.

Mark Rasmussen, director of Lake County Metropolitan Enforcement Group, stressed the operation "sent a clear message that law enforcement agencies are here to protect and serve the community."

He said similar operations are either in the works or planned for other areas in the county.

"Nothing ruins a neighborhood more than an open drug market. Some dealers were operating within 1,000 feet of a church, a school and a park," said State's Attorney Michael Waller.

He said because the transactions were videotaped, they would make solid cases in court.

Sheriff Gary Del Re called the operation "an excellent example of law enforcement agencies working together."

Although participating officers risked their lives in the operation, there were no incidents requiring the the use of weapons, he pointed out. No guns were seized.

The investigation also led officers to come into close contact with gang members from five area gangs. "Gang offenders were intertwined with drug dealers," said Mark Hobson of the Lake County Sheriff's Office.

In addition to Zion Police, the Sheriff's Office, Lake County MEG and the State's Attorney's Office, other participating agencies included Illinois State Police, DuPage County Metropolitan Enforcement Group, North Central Narcotics Task Force, federal Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms and the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.

Other participating police department were those of Deerfield, Grayslake, Gurnee, Hawthorn Woods, Lake Zurich, Libertyville, Round Lake Park, Round Lake Heights and Mundelein.

The 40 arrested and their charges:

• Belinad Caples, 31, of Zion, two counts of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a park.

• Kenneth D. Knight, 27, of Waukegan, two counts of unlawful possession of a controlled substance.

• Eddie Little, 33, of Zion, arrest warrant for escape, burglary and resisting arrest.

• Stephanie Dixon, 28, of Zion, aiding a fugitive.

• Jimmy Alexander, 35, of Zion, failure to register as a sex offender.

• Rahsaan Terry, 31, of Zion, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.

• Anthony Winters, 45, of Zion, unlawful possession of marijuana.

• Marcus Williams, 21, of Zion, unlawful possession of marijuana with intent to deliver.

• George Jones, 46, of Zion, unlawful delivery of a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a park.

• Marina C. Cruz, 19, of Zion, outstanding arrest warrant for theft.

• Sonya Freeman, 37, of Zion, two counts of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance.

• Thadius Williams, 66, of Zion unlawful delivery of a controlled substance.

• Tinisha Adams, 21, of Zion, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, unlawful delivery, unlawful possession of marijuana and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.

• Jorie Adams, 36, of Zion, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, unlawful delivery, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia and unlawful possession of marijuana.

• Susan Yenkle, 34, of Zion, two counts of unlawful possession of controlled substance, two counts of unlawful delivery and criminal drug conspiracy.

• Avis J. Minor, 25, of Zion, four counts of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance, three counts of unlawful possession, criminal drug conspiracy and unlawful delivery of marijuana.

• Sara D. Glenn, 28, of Zion, two counts of unlawful possession of a controlled substance and two counts of unlawful deliver.

• Melissa Gartner, 21, of Hainesville, unlawful possession of a controlled substance and unlawful delivery.

• Melissa A. Matz, 22, of Zion, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, failure to register as a sex offender.

• Alonso Dixon, 27, of Zion, unlawful delivery of a controlled substance.

• Eric Nixon, 22, of Zion, unlawful possession of marijuana with intent to deliver.

• Louis Chattard, 40, of Zion, unlawful delivery of a controlled substance.

• Fiona S. Jones, 26, of Park City, no valid driver's license.

• Ulysses Jacobs, 73, of Zion, driving under the influence of drugs and possession of drug paraphernalia.

• Mark Kohnke, 39, of Zion, of possession of drug paraphernalia.

• Shawn D. Brill, 24, of Zion, driving with a revoked license.

• Larnelle W. Hoskins, 25, of Zion, driving with a suspended license.

• Christopher J. Jones, 19, of Zion, wanted on warrant for driving with suspended license.

• Demeattrice A. Wilcox, 25, of North Chicago, unlawful possession of cannabis.

• Charles L. Mostoicz, 25, of Zion, attempted obstruction of justice.

• Jonathan Holmes, 27, of Zion, unlawful possession of marijuana, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia and driving with a suspended license.

• Arthur N. DeWolff, 28, of Pleasant Prairie, unlawful possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of marijuana.

• Cedtron Duffie, 18, of Zion, of unlawful possession of marijuana.

• Shawn Taylor, 34, of Zion, unlawful possession of marijuana with intent to deliver and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.

• Kwantez Taylor, 30, of Zion, unlawful possession of marijuana with intent to deliver and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.

• Jose Rivera, 25, of Zion, driving with a suspended license.

• Jeronis L. Johnson, 29, of Zion, driving with a revoked license and wanted for alleged possession of a stolen vehicle.

• Michael Taylor, 32, of Zion, driving with a suspended license.

• Antonio Harris, 31, of Zion, driving with a revoked license.

• Desiree Monk, 35, of Zion, driving with a suspended license.