Third suspect apprehended, ordered detained in Streator drug ring

He’s accused of trying to sell a stolen vehicle and 40 grams of cocaine and prosecutors allege it was part of a wider conspiracy.

Darryl Gullens Jr., 38, of Streator was picked up Thursday on felony warrants and he faces up to 30 years if convicted at trial now set for May 12. (Gullens was indicted by a grand jury even though he was at large at the time.) He will next appear April 25.

Gullens will stay in custody while awaiting trial on four felony charges, led by calculated criminal drug conspiracy and unlawful possession of a controlled substance (cocaine), both Class X felonies carrying six to 30 years.

La Salle County prosecutors allege all this was done in concert with two more charged individuals, prompting a charge of calculated criminal drug conspiracy. (Gullens faces charges in Livingston County, as well.)

According to open-court statements Friday, Gullens was monitored during a series of controlled drug transactions and purchases of stolen property. He allegedly sold 10 grams of cocaine and 27 grams of cocaine, on Oct. 26 and Oct. 30, respectively, to a confidential informant.

Assistant Public Defender Doug Kramarsic argued for Gullens to be granted pre-trial release. Kramarsic said Gullens is employed and that the evidence so far suggests he was around the illegal activity – “Wrong place, wrong time” – rather than a direct participant.

“What we’re looking here are drug cases, but none of the allegations are dealing with harm, threats or physical violence to anyone,” Kramarsic said.

But Assistant La Salle County State’s Attorney Jeremiah Adams said Gullens is a risk to the public, citing his three past prison sentences including a 20-year stint for second-degree murder.

Gullens, he argued, also knew he was wanted and tried to avoid arrest Thursday by pulling into driveways along Route 71 after realizing he was being tailed by sheriff’s deputies.

“It paints a clear picture the defendant poses a risk to the public and his detention is necessary for the protection of the public,” Adam said.

Chief Judge H. Chris Ryan Jr. agreed and ordered him detained. Ryan said the charges, presence of a weapon and his criminal history all present an elevated risk to the public.

To date, three men have been charged with calculated criminal drug conspiracy. Keith Gullens is awaiting trial, currently set for St. Patrick’s Day, on nine felonies. Still at large is 39-year-old Robert L. Phillips of Streator.

A fourth man isn’t charged with calculated criminal drug conspiracy but nonetheless faces multiple felonies in connection with the drug-theft ring. David L. Miller, 35, of Peru is set for trial April 28.

La Salle County State’s Attorney Joe Navarro has said the web of interrelated crimes spans at least a year and involves at least a dozen suspects who have been or will be charged.

Details of the scheme still are emerging, but the arrests stem from October when police, prosecutors and drug agents executed search warrants of multiple Streator residents.

The criminal enterprise was believed to have been launched at least a year prior to the October raids. In November 2023, dozens of guns were reported stolen from an Ottawa residence. Tri-DENT arranged for an informant to inquire of Keith Gullens about various swag and Keith Gullens replied with photos of stolen vehicles, tools, golf clubs as well as stolen rifles and shotguns.

All the while, Tri-DENT mounted a series of controlled buys in which drug agents purchased more than 200 grams of cocaine acquired either directly from Keith Gullens or from couriers working under his direction.