A man has been charged with drug-induced homicide for allegedly selling fentanyl pills that caused a 33-year-old man’s death in Volo, sheriff’s officials said.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office and Fox Lake Fire Protection District responded on August 11 to a residence in the 2700 block of West Hartigan Road in Volo for a report of a man not breathing.
Sheriffโs deputies arrived and worked with paramedics to attempt lifesaving measures, according to Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli.
The victim, a 33-year-old Volo man, was transported to Northwestern Medicine Hospital in McHenry where he was pronounced dead.
An autopsy was conducted by the McHenry County Coronerโs Office and the victimโs death was deemed to be a result of adverse effects of fentanyl, Covelli said.
Deputies learned during the initial investigation that the victim had recently purchased pills from a man at an area gas station.
Covelli said sheriffโs evidence technicians located pills inside the victimโs room, which tested positive for fentanyl.
Sheriffโs detectives responded to further the investigation and obtained video surveillance from the area gas station.
Covelli said video from the day the victim died showed the gas station transaction where Jerry L. Gray, 29, of Volo, sold pills to the victim.
Detectives uncovered additional evidence linking Gray to the drug transaction, Covelli said.
Detectives coordinated with the McHenry County Stateโs Attorneyโs Office to seek subpoenas and search warrants due to the victim being transported to McHenry County and dying in McHenry County.
The McHenry County Stateโs Attorneyโs Office reviewed the case and approved the charge of drug-induced homicide, a Class X felony, against Gray.
“We continue to see the horrific impacts of fentanyl and other deadly drugs in our region, and the Lake County Sheriffโs Office will continue aggressively investigating drug traffickers, holding them accountable,” Sheriff John D. Idleburg said.
“I am extremely proud of the hard work of our deputies and detectives investigating this case and holding the drug dealer accountable for his part in causing this manโs death,” Idleburg said.
Detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Gray on Monday.
They arrested Gray on Wednesday at a gas station in the 31700 block of North Route 12 in Volo.
He is being transferred to the McHenry County Jail and will be prosecuted in McHenry County.
“It was a privilege to work with the capable detectives at the Lake County Sheriffโs Office in addressing a mutual scourge that doesnโt exactly honor county borders,” McHenry County Stateโs Attorney Patrick Kenneally said.