A man who was on pre-trial release in three criminal cases has been denied release after authorities say he was caught selling a “deadly combination” of fentanyl-laced drugs in Lake County.
Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli said the sheriff’s office, along with the Waukegan Police Department and Gurnee Police Department, received numerous tips on a person selling drugs in the community.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Special Investigations Group (SIG) launched an investigation into the suspect, identified as Travier L. Bunch, 32, of Waukegan, who was reported to be selling fentanyl, meth, heroin, cocaine and other drugs, Covelli said.
Detectives began investigating Bunch for drug sales last fall, according to Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Emily Shanley-Roberts.
Bunch sold drugs to undercover detectives during the investigation, Covelli said.
Covelli said an analysis of the drugs by the crime laboratory showed Bunch was distributing a deadly combination of fentanyl, heroin, and meth.
Detectives learned Bunch had an active arrest warrant for domestic battery.
In that incident, Bunch punched a woman in the face and kicked her on April 10 in Waukegan, Shanley-Roberts said.
Undercover SIG detectives conducted surveillance on Bunch on Thursday, Covelli said.
He was arrested in the 600 block of Hill Street in Waukegan with the assistance of Waukegan police officers.
Covelli said Bunch was in possession of fentanyl, cocaine, heroin, hydrocodone and cannabis when he was arrested.
The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office reviewed the case and approved 17 counts of unlawful possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, ranging from Class X to Class 2 felonies.
The state’s attorney’s office filed petitions to detain and petitions to revoke pre-trial release for Bunch while he awaits trial.
Bunch and his attorney, Robert T. Ritacca, appeared in court Tuesday afternoon for a detention hearing.
Shanley-Roberts, after detailing several drug transactions between Bunch and others, argued that Bunch’s pre-trial release would pose a real and present threat to the safety of the community.
She said there was no doubt that Bunch intended to distribute the dangerous substances that were discovered in the vehicle he was driving.
Shanley-Roberts said that the illegal substances are highly addictive with dangerous withdrawal symptoms and are also very likely to lead to death when consumed.
Ritacca said his client was also on probation for a felony aggravated fleeing to elude case and had previously been on electronic home monitoring but was taken off in January.
Lake County Judge Theodore Potkonjak granted prosecutors’ petitions and ordered Bunch held in the Lake County Jail.
Following the hearing, Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart used the case to tout Illinois’ SAFE-T Act implementation.
Rinehart said drug traffickers, such as Bunch, often have access to large amounts of cash.
“Now, under the SAFE-T Act, when someone sells Fentanyl or other deadly drugs, we can end the revolving door of people using drug money to post bond,” Rinehart said in a statement.
“Look at the Lake County case of Anthony Brown – a drug dealing case recently highlighted by the Sheriff’s office. Brown posted $22,500 in 2020 and then in 2021, he was arrested again on drug charges and posted cash again. In total, Brown posted $75,000, to obtain release. Brown then fled the state and has active warrants for his arrest. Now, when we catch Brown, he won’t be able to post any bail – of any amount,” Rinehart said.
The state’s attorney did not mention in his statement that Bunch had been on release in three separate criminal cases — a felony drug case, a misdemeanor resisting a peace officer case and a driving on a revoked license case.
All of those charges are non-detainable under the SAFE-T Act.
In total, Bunch now has five active criminal cases pending in Lake County. The most recent two are a domestic battery case and his latest drug-selling case.
“I am very proud of our Special Investigations Group for identifying and arresting another Lake County drug trafficker,” Lake County Sheriff John D. Idleburg said.
“Through our partnership with HIDTA, federal, and local partners, SIG is having extreme success in removing drugs and firearms from some of the most violent criminals operating in Lake County,” Idleburg said.
Bunch is scheduled to appear in court again on June 13 for a preliminary hearing.