Drug Dealer Sentenced to Prison in Drug Overdose of Crystal Lake Man

A 20-year-old Crystal Lake man has been sentenced to six years in prison for providing the heroin that killed a 20-year-old man, prosecutors said Thursday.

Elias Ramos-Ortiz was charged in February 2016 with unlawful delivery of heroin for his role in providing the drugs to Jack T. Crawford who later overdosed and was found dead in his family’s home in the 1300 block of Knollwood Circle, the Northwest Herald reports.

On Dec. 22, 2016, prosecutors said Ramos-Ortiz and Crawford went to Chicago to obtain heroin. There, Ramos-Ortiz bought 18 bags of heroin and delivered some of the heroin to Crawford.

After purchasing the heroin, Ramos-Ortiz delivered some to Crawford.

Crawford returned to his home where he overdosed, prosecutors said. He was found by his mother who immediately called the police.

Authorities tried to revive him but were unsuccessful.

“Anytime someone is involved in distributing heroin in this community, they are putting the lives of our residents at risk,” said Patrick Kenneally. “While court programs that promote recovery are important, prison was the only adequate response to the Defendant’s actions that resulted in a young life being lost.”