SYCAMORE – Two Aurora residents pleaded guilty Thursday to charges related to their involvement in a DeKalb man's death two years ago from a drug overdose.
Krystal N. Davis, 26, and Jerry W. Steffey Jr., 37, entered guilty pleas Thursday during a hearing at the DeKalb County Courthouse in Sycamore. Both were charged in the March 2010 death of 19-year-old Dane Potts, who died of a heroin overdose.
Davis pleaded guilty to drug-induced homicide, a Class X felony punishable by up to 30 years in prison, while Steffey pleaded guilty to attempted drug-induced homicide, a Class 1 felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison.
Christine Potts, mother of Dane Potts, began to cry Thursday when prosecutor Phil Montgomery with the DeKalb County State's Attorney's Office read summaries of Davis' and Steffey's involvement in Potts' death.
Authorities were called about 7:10 a.m. March 11, 2010, to the 300 block of Gurler Street in DeKalb for a report of a man not breathing, according to police. Potts was taken to Kishwaukee Community Hospital and pronounced dead, which prompted an investigation.
DeKalb County Coroner Dennis Miller said the cause of death was adverse effects of heroin.
A third person charged in the case – Guy Gates, 23, also of Aurora – pleaded guilty Feb. 9 to attempted drug-induced homicide.
The investigation found that Davis sold the heroin to the victim on or about March 10 in Aurora, DeKalb Police Lt. Gary Spangler said at the time of the arrests in April 2010. Warrants were issued March 31, 2010, and the three were arrested in April 2010, according to court documents.
Police have said Davis, Gates and Steffey were charged because they provided the means that led to the victim's death: Gates and Steffey were charged because they facilitated the drug deal and Davis because she provided the drugs that contributed to the death.
Davis was sentenced to 10 years in prison, with credit for time served in jail, and three years of parole. Steffey was sentenced to 5 1/2 years in prison, with credit for time served in jail, two years of parole and a $500 fine. Gates had previously been sentenced to 5 1/2 years in prison, with credit for time served, and two years of parole and must pay a $500 fine.
After Davis left the courtroom, speaking to family and friends as she was walked out, a relative of Davis' told Christine Potts she was sorry for her loss.
While sheriff's deputies walked Steffey out of the courtroom, he told Christine Potts he was sorry for what happened and hoped she would be able to forgive him.
Following the pleas, Christine Potts said she was relieved and appreciated the apologies she had received from Gates, Steffey and Davis' relative.
Potts said she hopes her son's situation sends a message to those who sell drugs, that what they do has consequences.
