A man charged with drug-induced homicide has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for selling fentanyl pills that caused a 33-year-old man’s death in Volo.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office and Fox Lake Fire Protection District responded on August 11, 2023, to a residence in the 2700 block of West Hartigan Road in Volo for a report of a man not breathing.
Sheriff’s 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 Coroner’s Office and the victim’s 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 sheriff’s evidence technicians located pills inside the victim’s room, which tested positive for fentanyl.
Sheriff’s 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, 30, 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 State’s Attorney’s Office to seek subpoenas and search warrants due to the victim being transported to McHenry County and dying in McHenry County.
The McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office reviewed the case and approved the charge of drug-induced homicide, a Class X felony, against Gray.
Detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Gray in early January.
They arrested Gray at a gas station in the 31700 block of North Route 12 in Volo.
“We continue to see the horrific impacts of fentanyl and other deadly drugs in our region, and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office will continue aggressively investigating drug traffickers, holding them accountable,” Sheriff John D. Idleburg said following Gray’s arrest.
“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 man’s death,” Idleburg said.
Court records show Gray, who has been held in the McHenry County Jail since his arrest, entered into a negotiated plea deal with the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office this week.
He pleaded guilty on Wednesday to one count of manufacturing or delivery of 1-15 grams of fentanyl, a Class 1 felony, in exchange for his other charge being dismissed.
McHenry County Judge Mark Gerhardt approved the plea and sentenced Gray to 10 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections pursuant to the agreement.
The sentence will be served at 50% and Gray will receive 308 days of credit for time served.