An Elgin resident who sold fentanyl-laced heroin to a St. Charles man, resulting in the man’s death, has been sentenced to nine years in prison.
In a plea deal approved by Kane County Judge David P. Kliment, Jose R. Charles, 28, of the 600 block of Dixon Avenue, agreed to plead guilty to one count of drug-induced homicide in exchange for the prison term, a news release from the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office said.
Prosecutors said Charles arranged to sell three bags of heroin for $50 via text messages he exchanged with Trevor Brubaker, 25. Brubaker drove to Charles’ Hanover Park workplace to complete the sale and then drove home, where he consumed the drugs and died, the release said.
A chemical analysis indicated the heroin contained synthetic opioid fentanyl. An autopsy showed Brubaker died of fentanyl intoxication, the release said.
Charles’ court records show he has multiple drug offense convictions dating to 2012.
Under state law, Charles must serve at least 75% of the sentence, the release said. He will receive credit for the 1,091 days he spent in the Kane County jail awaiting the outcome of his case.
“The offense of drug-induced homicide is a tool for law enforcement to use to combat drug dealing that results in overdose deaths,” Assistant State’s Attorney Kelly Orland said in the release. “It punishes and holds accountable those who unlawfully deliver drugs to another.”
