A McHenry man took a plea deal in connection with the fentanyl-laced heroin overdose death of a McHenry woman and was sentenced to five years in prison.
Russell S. Levand, 37, of the 2200 block of Alton Drive in McHenry, was indicted on three counts of drug-induced homicide, a Class X felony, and two counts of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance, a Class 2 felony.
The McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office reached a plea deal with Levand, who pleaded guilty to one count of involuntary manslaughter, a Class 3 felony.
In exchange, all of his other charges were dismissed, court records show.
An investigation was conducted by the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office into the death of Jessica Hocin, who died of an overdose on June 1, 2019, at her McHenry residence where she lived with Levand.
Toxicology testing showed that Hocin had fentanyl in her system at the time of her death.
Detectives learned that Levand delivered fentanyl-laced heroin just hours prior to Hocin’s death, court documents show.
Levand hid behind a hot water heater and pulled away from sheriff’s deputies when they tried to arrest him for his warrant, according to a criminal complaint.
He was charged with resisting a peace officer but that charge was also dismissed.
McHenry County Judge Michael Coppedge sentenced Levand on Monday to five years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. He will also have to pay $2,468 in court fines and fees.
Levand remains held in the McHenry County Jail while awaiting transport to a state prison.