AURORA, Ill., Oct. 12 /PRNewswire/ — Andrew L. Traver, Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago Field Division, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Gary G. Olenkiewicz, Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago Division, Drug Enforcement Administration; Elissa A. Brown, Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago Division, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement; Illinois State Police Director Larry Trent; and Aurora Police Chief William Powell today announced the arrests of eight Aurora men on federal and state drug trafficking charges.
Federal and local law enforcement officers arrested the eight men following a six-month undercover investigation and the filing under seal of federal and state complaints. Three federal and state search warrants were served subsequent to the arrests.
The following were charged federally for distributing a controlled substance, namely 50 grams or more of mixtures and substances containing cocaine base in the form of "crack cocaine": Kalvin Stewart, aka "Bo Peep," DOB: 4/6/67, 833 2nd Avenue, Aurora; Randy Stewart, aka "Quee," DOB: 8/7/69, 431 Blue Ridge, Oswego; Shaunta Turner, aka "Little Vader," DOB: 4/3/81,195 N. Sumner, Aurora; and Karlid Lash, DOB: 8/27/60, 533 Seventh Avenue, Aurora. If convicted, the defendants face maximum penalties of life in prison.
State charges of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance and unlawful delivery of a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a church or school were filed against:
Robert Cox, DOB: 3/22/75, 317 Oak Avenue, Aurora; Vangle Pryor, DOB: 12/26/76, 915 E. Benton, Aurora (WANTED); Quadious Rush DOB: 1/13/84, 747 Hinman, Aurora (WANTED); Tyree Pryor, DOB: 12/29/78, Illinois Department of Corrections; Gregory Warfield, DOB: 6/8/50, 230 Comstock, Joliet; Willie Mayes DOB: 9/20/82, 1321 Prairie St., Aurora (WANTED); Ricky Stewart, DOB: 8/7/69 461 N. Lake St., Aurora; and Eric Glover, DOB: 6/12/75, 235 S. Lincoln, Aurora
During the course of the undercover investigation, approximately 470 grams of crack cocaine and 384 grams of powder cocaine were purchased. The execution of arrest and search warrants today resulted in the seizure of approximately $13,000, eight ounces of crack cocaine, two vehicles, a computer, and eight cellular telephones.
Traver of ATF stated, "The arrests of these alleged drug dealers in Aurora and the surrounding area should serve as stern notice to them and others that if they engage in violent or criminal acts, we will find them, pursue them and remove them from society. There is no safe place to hide from the relentless pursuit of justice."
Olenkiewicz of DEA stated, "The multiple federal and state arrests made here today are the culmination of over a year’s cooperative work with our federal, state and local counterparts. Because of these combined efforts, Kalvin Stewart and his associates will no longer be a menace to the city of Aurora. The DEA is proud to have been a partner in this investigation with the Aurora Police Department, ATF, Kane County, and others, and will continue to work with our partners in the law enforcement community to make sure that gangs, drugs and guns are no longer a threat to our children and neighborhoods."
Brown of ICE said, "The lawlessness that drug traffickers propagate presents a grave threat to public safety," said ICE Special Agent in Charge Elissa A. Brown. ICE is proud to be a member of this task force and we are committed to working with our law enforcement partners to ensure that law abiding citizens are protected from narcotics traffickers that terrorize our communities."
Aurora Police Chief Powell stated, "Today’s operation is a bit different in that we built a solid investigation around two individuals and expanded it to include their associates instead of going after a particular street gang. By working with our federal, state, and county partners, the intelligence that was originally gathered by the Aurora police grew to be the cornerstone of this case. Federal agents are assisting our officers every day with the shared goal of eradicating gang and drug crimes. By adding state … county … and local agencies to the team — it truly demonstrates that anyone with a badge is dedicated to this same cause."
Kane County State’s Attorney Barsanti stated, "This case is a fine example of what can be accomplished with extra-jurisdictional cooperation between law-enforcement agencies."
The charges announced today were the result of a cooperative effort among the law enforcement agencies named above as well as the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois, the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office, the Oswego Police Department, and the Montgomery Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Getter represented the federal government.
The public is reminded that complaints contain only charges and are not evidence of guilt, which will be determined at trial by a jury.
Contacts:
Special Agent/PIO Thomas J. Ahern 312-846-7228, 312-735-0675
S/A Joanna Zoltay, DEA, 312-886-2597
PIO Gail Montenegro, ICE, 312-347-2210
Lt. Lincoln Hampton, ISP, 312-446-1676
Dan Ferrelli, Aurora P.D., 630-801-6777
Source: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
CONTACT: Thomas J. Ahern, Special Agent\PIO, +1-312-846-7228,
+1-312-735-0675; or S\A Joanna Zoltay, DEA, +1-312-886-2597; or PIO Gail
Montenegro, ICE, +1-312-347-2210; or Lt. Lincoln Hampton, ISP,
+1-312-446-1676; or Dan Ferrelli, Aurora P.D., +1-630-801-6777, all for Bureau
of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
Web site: http://www.atf.gov/
