A federal investigation into the sale of fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine in Chicago has led to a grand jury indicting six individuals on various drug and firearm charges. The superseding indictment, returned in U.S. District Court in Chicago, accuses the defendants of conspiring to distribute these drugs in 2024. Two of the accused face additional charges for illegally possessing semiautomatic handguns as previously convicted felons.
The individuals charged with drug conspiracy are Andre Debruce, 40, from Schiller Park, Illinois; Terrance Patton, 40; Craig Caldwell, 43; Timothy Belin, 48; Jennifer Word, 39; and Denomoius Wells, 41—all from Chicago. Patton and Caldwell are the felons charged with illegal firearm possession. Caldwell also faces an additional charge for allegedly possessing a firearm to further drug trafficking.
Caldwell’s charges carry a potential life sentence in federal prison with a mandatory minimum of five years. Patton and Debruce could face up to 40 years with a mandatory minimum of five years. Belin, Word, and Wells each face up to 20 years without a mandatory minimum sentence.
During his arraignment on Tuesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge M. David Weisman, Wells pleaded not guilty to the charges. The other five defendants have also been arraigned and entered not guilty pleas.
The announcement of the superseding indictment was made by Andrew S. Boutros, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, along with Douglas S. DePodesta, Special Agent-in-Charge of the FBI’s Chicago Field Office. Significant assistance came from IRS Criminal Investigation in Chicago, the Chicago Police Department, and Evanston Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Hayley Altabef and Adam Rosenbloom represent the government.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America—a nationwide initiative utilizing resources from the Department of Justice to combat violent crime among other focuses—streamlining efforts through Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
It is important to note that an indictment only contains charges and does not serve as evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
