Man sentenced to 6 years following fatal overdose in Crystal Lake

A 59-year-old Chicago man charged with drug-induced homicide in a fatal overdose was sentenced last week to six years in prison for delivery of a controlled substance.

Pablo Nieves along with Sheila Kavanaugh, 45, of Crystal Lake, were each charged with drug-induced homicide following the Dec. 4, 2020, death of Matthew Moore, 36, who fatally overdosed on heroin, according to court records.

Kavanaugh, who was Moore’s girlfriend and lived with him, told authorities that she arranged for Nieves to deliver the drugs that she and Moore used before Moore’s overdose, according to a motion filed by prosecutors. Nieves was accused of taking the train from Chicago to Crystal Lake to deliver the drugs, court records show.

As part of a negotiated plea deal, Nieves pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of delivery of a controlled substance and prosecutors dismissed the other charge.

Judge Robert A. Wilbrandt then sentenced Nieves to six years in prison, which is to be served at 50%. Nieves will also receive credit for the 323 days he has spent in custody.

Wilbrandt also recommended Nieves be placed in a substance abuse program but that determination is up to the Illinois Department of Corrections.

Kavanaugh pleaded guilty to delivery of a controlled substance in October in exchange for prosecutors dismissing the drug-induced homicide charge, court records show.

Judge Michael Coppedge sentenced her to three years in prison, to be served at 50%. She also received credit for the 319 days she was in custody.