The Special Investigations Group of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Waukegan woman this month on drug charges.
Shanese N. Richardson, 41, of the 2800 block of Osage Circle, was charged with methamphetamine possession and other counts, including armed violence, after she was arrested on July 14, police said.
Police said they began an investigation after receiving a tip that Richardson was selling drugs, and they learned she was selling crack cocaine.
Officers obtained a search warrant for her residence. On July 14, they conducted a traffic stop on Richardson and said she had cocaine and heroin as well as a loaded pistol in the vehicle. Inside her home, police said they found quantities of heroin, crack and methamphetamine.
“Our Special Investigations Group once again did an outstanding job removing a drug trafficker from our Lake County community,” Sheriff John Idleburg said. “Our agency and SIG are committed to identifying and arresting those who traffic drugs, firearms, and people. We will go to all lengths to keep our community safe.”
Jet-ski patrols
The Marine Unit of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office is operating two jet skis this summer, thanks to a program sponsored by Kawasaki and a local company.
The manufacturer has loaned the jet skis to the department at no cost for use during the 2025 boating season as part of its national program to support law enforcement. The jet skis came from Nielsen Enterprises of Lake Villa.
The fast, agile craft will allow deputies to more quickly respond to emergencies, and access areas that traditional patrol boats cannot reach. They have been operating since July 1 on the Chain O’ Lakes and along the Lake Michigan shoreline.
“This program is a tremendous step forward for our Marine Unit,” Sheriff John Idleburg said. “By working with Nielsen Enterprises and Kawasaki, we’ve added lifesaving tools to our fleet, at virtually no cost to taxpayers. Their support directly contributes to the safety of everyone who enjoys Lake County’s lakes.”
“Our local waterways are an important part of the community, and we hope this partnership enhances both patrol and rescue efforts to help keep everyone safe this season,” Mike Missak of Nielsen Enterprises said.
Child porn charges
A Mundelein area man is facing child pornography charges after sheriff’s officers searched his residence.
The sheriff’s office said it received information from an online social media network that someone from Lake County had uploaded child pornography images. Police said they determined that the upload had originated at a house in the 21500 block of West Hampshire Place.
On Tuesday, police executed a search warrant at the residence and seized electronics that police said contained numerous illegal images. John C. Dressel, 22, of the residence was charged with possession and distribution of child pornography.
“We will continue aggressively pursuing those who prey on children and the vulnerable, and we remain committed to collaborating with our law enforcement partners to bring them to justice,” Sheriff John Idleburg said.
Victims identified
The Lake County Coroner’s Office formally released the identities of two men who died in recent unrelated incidents.
Demingo Williams, 22, of North Chicago, died of a gunshot wound to the chest. He was inside a home in the 2200 block of Kemble Avenue in North Chicago at about 1:05 a.m. on July 12 when he was struck by a bullet that had been fired from outside the house.
A man who drowned near a Winthrop Harbor marina was identified as 76-year-old John Staggs of Chicago. Firefighters were called out at 3:30 p.m. on July 12 after Staggs was reported as possibly being in the water.
His body was found at 8:45 p.m. that day under a dock. An autopsy showed his death was consistent with drowning, the coroner’s office said.
Lake Bluff confrontation
A man who accosted a man and woman in their Lake Bluff area apartment and cut the woman’s hand is facing assault and other charges, according to the sheriff’s office.
Angel Diaz, 25, of the Lincolnshire area, was taken into custody at about 12:45 a.m. Thursday outside the apartment building in the 600 block of Washington Street, police said.
At about 8:25 p.m. Wednesday, police responded to a report of an assault at the unit. The man and woman residing there said Diaz, who is an acquaintance, had come to the apartment and started an argument. Diaz reportedly produced a knife and cut the woman and then choked her, police said.
The couple was able to get away and call the police. The woman’s injuries did not require medical treatment, police said.
Responding officers were unable to locate Diaz, but he returned to the building early Thursday and began pounding on the door. He was then arrested and charged with aggravated battery and assault.
