Attorney General’s office charges Kane man in two drug-induced homicides

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced May 30 that his office charged a Kane County man with the drug-induced homicides of two people who died late last year after taking cocaine laced with fentanyl, officials announced in a news release.

Jarrail Ford-Gresham, 34, of Elgin, was charged with two counts of drug-induced homicide, Class X felonies, each punishable by up to 30 years in prison, and two counts of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance, Class 2 felonies, each punishable by up to seven years in prison, if convicted, officials announced in a news release.

“These charges are a grim reminder of how deadly drugs, specifically fentanyl, can be,” Raoul said in the release. “I remain committed to working with law enforcement agencies across the state to keep drugs off the street and keep our communities safe.”

Raoul’s office alleges that between Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, 2023, Gresham delivered cocaine to two individuals in Elgin and Palatine, both of whom were later found dead after taking what turned out to be cocaine laced with fentanyl, according to the release.

The first delivery allegedly occurred in Elgin after the victim and a third-party pooled money together to buy crack from Gresham. The third party was observed on surveillance video entering and exiting Gresham’s vehicle. About a minute later, the victim returned to split the crack, according to the attorney general’s office. The next morning, the victim was found unresponsive at an Elgin homeless encampment, according to the release.

Later that same day, Gresham and another victim were observed on surveillance video entering a Motel 6 in Palatine, according to the release.

That evening, Palatine police responded to a 911 call at the motel and found the victim deceased on the bed, according to the release.

Elgin police arrested Gresham on May 28 after its investigation with the Palatine Police Department.

“We are very appreciative for the support and cooperation received from the Attorney General’s office, Kane County State’s Attorney’s office and the Elgin Police Department to bring closure to this investigation and provide a sense of justice for the victims’ families,” Palatine Police Chief William Nord said in the release.

Raoul’s office will co-prosecute the case with Kane County State’s Attorney Jamie Mosser’s office.

“These charges underscore the grave consequences of drug-related activities and the devastating impact they can have on individuals and communities,” Mosser said in the release. “My office is committed to working collaboratively with Attorney General Raoul’s office and law enforcement agencies to hold accountable those responsible for such tragedies and to pursue justice for the victims and their families. I extend my sincere gratitude to the Elgin and Palatine police departments, as well as the Attorney General’s office, for their diligent efforts in investigating this case.”

Deputy Bureau Chief Andrew Whitfield will prosecute the case for Raoul’s Statewide Grand Jury Bureau. Assistant State’s Attorney Kelly Orland will handle the case for Kane County, according to the release.

Gresham is facing similar charges in a separate case pending in McHenry County, according to the release.