An arrest warrant has been issued for a second man charged with drug-induced homicide for allegedly selling fentanyl pills that caused a 27-year-old Crystal Lake man’s death.
Ryan James, 25, of the 3600 block of Smoke Tree Lane in Crystal Lake, was charged in March with drug-induced homicide and calculated criminal drug conspiracy, both Class X felonies.
Last Monday, prosecutors approved charges of drug-induced homicide and calculated criminal drug conspiracy against Jacob Stealy, 24, of the 100 block of Surrey Lane in Crystal Lake.
Criminal complaints said that James and Stealy delivered fentanyl unlawfully to Colton G. Steiner, 27, of Crystal Lake, on June 23, 2021.
Steiner ingested the fentanyl and was later found dead. His death was ruled an overdose from fentanyl, court documents show.
The complaints state that James, as part of a conspiracy with Lucious Hemphill, 20, of Carol Stream, and Stealy, delivered between one gram and 15 grams of a substance containing fentanyl between June 2021 and October 2021 in McHenry County.
James, Hemphill and Stealy allegedly made more than $500 from the conspiracy, the complaint said.
The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Task Force interviewed James, who admitted he had been actively selling pressed fentanyl pills, according to a motion filed in court.
James told task force members that he had been purchasing approximately 100 fentanyl pills every one or two weeks from Hemphill, the motion said.
Task force members contacted Hemphill and arranged to have him bring 100 fentanyl pills to a designated location in December.
Hemphill arrived at the location and officers found him in possession of 123 pills, which field-tested positive for fentanyl, court documents show.
Officers arrested Hemphill and he was charged with multiple counts of possession of fentanyl with intent to deliver. He was later released after posting bond.
Hemphill was charged last Monday with calculated criminal drug conspiracy.
James also told officers that Stealy would sometimes drive him to meet Hemphill, and Stealy would pick up drugs on James’ behalf, the motion said.
A McHenry County judge approved an arrest warrant for James in February and he was taken into custody and released on bond in March.
A judge recently issued arrest warrants for Hemphill and Stealy for their new charges.