McHenry County fentanyl overdose leads to drug-induced homicide charge

A Volo man has been charged with drug-induced homicide in connection with a fatal dose of fentanyl delivered to a 33-year-old man, also of Volo, in August.

Jerry L. Gray, 29, of the 27400 block of Volo Village Road, was transferred to the McHenry County jail Thursday morning in a coordinated effort between the Lake County Sheriff’s Office and the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office.

Gray’s arrest Wednesday and pending prosecution in McHenry County concludes a death investigation, Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chief Chris Covelli said.

On Aug. 11, sheriff‘s deputies responded to the 27000 block of West Hartigan Road in Volo for a report of a man not breathing. Lifesaving actions were taken at the scene, but he subsequently was pronounced dead at a hospital in McHenry.

An autopsy by the McHenry County Coroner’s Office determined that the cause of death was a result of adverse affects from fentanyl, Covelli said.

During the initial investigation, deputies learned that the man bought pills from another man identified as Gray at a nearby gas station, Covelli said.

Pills found inside the man’s room tested positive for fentanyl, Covelli said.

Video surveillance showed Gray selling the pills to the man, Covelli said, and additional evidence linking him to the transaction was uncovered.

Because the man died in McHenry County, sheriff‘s detectives worked with the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office to obtain subpoenas.

McHenry County prosecutors approved a charge of drug-induced homicide, a Class X felony, and an arrest warrant was issued.

Sheriff‘s detectives took Gray into custody Wednesday at a gas station in Volo, Covelli said.

In a news release, Lake County Sheriff John D. Idleburg said the effects of fentanyl and other deadly drugs continue to be seen in the region, and his office will aggressively investigate and hold drug traffickers accountable.

https://www.dailyherald.com/20240111/news/volo-man-charged-with-drug-induced-homicide/