Aurora Drug Dealer Found Guilty of Large Scale Drug Operation: Prosecutors

AURORA, IL — A drug dealer is headed to prison for possessing large quantities of illegal narcotics and marijuana in his Aurora home, which was used as a distribution center for the drugs.

Gerardo Contreras-Gonzalez, 24, of the 500 block of North Lancaster Drive in Aurora, was convicted late Tuesday by a Kane County jury of two counts of unlawful possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, unlawful possession of cannabis with intent to deliver, two counts of unlawful possession of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of cannabis, and unlawful possession of a firearm, according to the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office.

The jury deliberated for about 90 minutes before it reached the verdict.

Kane County prosecutors presented said that the morning of Aug. 4, 2014, agents from Homeland Security Investigations with assistance from the Aurora Police Department served a search warrant at Contreras-Gonzalez’s residence in the 500 block of North Lancaster Drive. The search of the residence revealed 803 grams of crystal methamphetamine, 603 grams of cocaine, 9,145 grams of marijuana, as well as a .45 caliber High Point semi automatic pistol and a Taurus 9mm semiautomatic pistol, and a variety of items commonly associated with selling illegal drugs, such as a ledger, scales and packaging materials.

Authorities estimated the combined street value of the drugs to be between $550,000 and $1.3 million.
Contreras-Gonzalez’s next court date appearance is set for 1:30 p.m. Nov. 29 for motions and sentencing. Contreras-Gonzalez faces a sentence of between 12 and 50 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.
Contreras-Gonzalez remains in custody at the Kane County jail, where he had been held since his arrest in lieu of $1 million bail. Bond was revoked upon conviction.

“This defendant’s home was a so-called stash house that was used to store large quantities of drugs for distribution in Kane County, the Chicago area and around the region. The presence of these drugs in our community creates a significant public safety risk and inevitably leads to an increase in other crimes, such as thefts, robberies and even murder. This case is a reminder that drugs and guns are a constant threat that require the vigilance and hard work of our law-enforcement partners. I appreciate the willingness of agencies like Homeland Security Investigations and the Aurora Police Department to collaborate to combat drug trafficking. We will continue to do our part to keep the community safe by prosecuting these dangerous drug dealers,” Kane County State’s Attorney Joe McMahon said in a news release.

photo via the Kane County State's Attorney's Office