A North Chicago man has been sentenced to 12 years in prison and fined over $46,000 after he was found with almost 1,500 fentanyl pills along with other drugs and a gun.
Demetrius Gaines, 32, of North Chicago, was charged in March 2023 with armed violence, armed habitual criminal, two counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, four counts of possession of a controlled substance, two counts of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and possession of a firearm by a felon.
Gaines contacted a special agent, who was posing as a prospective drug buyer, on January 11, 2023, according to Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Francis DeRosa.
The agent bought four pills for $100. The pills later tested positive for fentanyl at the crime lab.
State records show Gaines was paroled from a state prison in March 2021 after serving a sentence for manufacturing/delivering cocaine out of Lake County.
Agents coordinated with Gaines’ parole officer in March 2023 to conduct a check on him.
Gaines was witnessed placing a black bag outside of his apartment, DeRosa said.
Officers took Gaines into custody and found 1,491 pills of fentanyl disguised as Percocet, which weighed over 160 grams.
DeRosa said they also found 15 grams of cocaine, of which one gram was already packaged for sale.
A 9mm handgun was located with a loaded magazine. Gaines is a convicted felon and is not allowed to possess any firearms.
Agents found over $1,600 cash in the apartment and on Gaines’ person.
Four phones were recovered and investigators found the previous messages between the undercover agent and Gaines on one of the phones, DeRosa said.
Gaines was ordered held on a $1 million bond after his arrest and has remained in custody since.
He recently entered into a negotiated plea with the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office.
Court records show Gaines pleaded guilty to one count of manufacturing or delivery of 1-15 grams of cocaine, a Class 1 felony, in exchange for the rest of his charges being dismissed.
Gaines was sentenced to 12 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) pursuant to the agreement.
He was also ordered to a $46,370 fine for the street value of the drugs and approximately $2,500 in other court fees and fines.
Gaines will receive 494 days of credit for time spent awaiting trial.
IDOC records show he is projected to be paroled from prison in March 2030.