A federal investigation into drug and firearm activities on Chicago’s South Side has led to criminal charges against seven individuals. A grand jury in U.S. District Court in Chicago returned a superseding indictment accusing these defendants of a conspiracy that used armed security to safeguard drug trafficking operations in the Englewood neighborhood.
The investigation, conducted by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Chicago Police Department, U.S. Secret Service, and U.S. Marshals Service, focused on an open-air marijuana market located on the 1200 block of West 73rd Place. According to the indictment, under armed protection, the accused sold significant amounts of marijuana and stored drugs, firearms, and cash in nearby residences. Authorities seized around 2,000 pounds of marijuana, approximately 81 firearms including five assault-style rifles, about $425,000 in cash, and jewelry valued at roughly $300,000 during the operation.
Those charged with federal drug conspiracy include Kejuan Bryant (31), Jamari Goodman (29), Joseph Albert Heath (32), Matthew Furdge (22), Kewann Whitaker (32) from Chicago; Igor Dze (44) from Miami Beach; and Khiry Strickland (34) from Lemont. Bryant also faces an individual drug distribution charge and is accused alongside Goodman and Heath of illegal firearm possession related to drug trafficking. Most defendants were arrested last week and have appeared in federal court.
In addition to federal charges, state court proceedings have been initiated against 15 more individuals as part of this investigation.
The announcement was made by Andrew S. Boutros, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Sheila G. Lyons from DEA’s Chicago Field Division; Larry Snelling of CPD; Dai Tran from USSS’s Chicago Field Office; and LaDon A. Reynolds from the U.S. Marshals Service for Northern Illinois. The Chicago High Intensity Drug Trafficking Task Force and Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office provided assistance.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Schied represents the government in these cases as part of Operation Take Back America—a nationwide initiative aimed at combating violent crime through coordinated efforts by various justice departments.
An indictment serves as a formal accusation but does not imply guilt; defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt at trial. The conspiracy charge carries potential life sentences for Bryant or up to forty years for others involved—Goodman, Furdge, Whitaker Dze—and Strickland—while firearm charges entail maximum life sentences with mandatory minimums set at five years per defendant—and individual distribution counts against Bryant could result up-to-20-year terms if convicted.
