Evanston Narcotics Probe Leads To 14 Felony Charges Against Chicago Man

EVANSTON, IL — A Chicago man is facing 14 felony charges after a narcotics investigation led officers to the discovery of guns, suspected drugs and incendiary devices, according to the Evanston Police Department.

Ernest W. Pentek, 48, was taken into custody Oct. 30, at about 2:05 p.m. when police executed a search warrant at the residence in the 6900 block of N. Ashland Ave.

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According to the Evanston Police Department, investigators received information that Pentek was allegedly distributing narcotics in the Evanston and Chicago areas. Investigators also received information indicating that Pentek possessed multiple firearms and potentially dangerous incendiary devices.

During the search, officers recovered four firearms, an airsoft rifle, more than 500 grams of suspected methamphetamine, 7.1 grams of suspected heroin, 11 grams of suspected Xanax, 4 grams of suspected crack cocaine, 39 suspected MDMA pills and about 2.6 pounds of suspected cannabis.

Police also reported recovering a substance believed to be Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate, or GHB, $1,185 in U.S. currency, ballistic protective equipment and several suspected homemade incendiary devices.

Pentek was taken into custody without incident.

Police said officers used various investigative techniques to gather additional evidence before obtaining the search warrant. Members of the Special Operations Group were assisted during the warrant execution by the Evanston Police Department's Special Response Team and the Cook County Sheriff's Police Bomb Squad.

Following review with the Cook County State's Attorney's Office, Pentek was charged with 14 felony offenses, according to the department.

The charges listed by police include four Class 3 felony counts of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, one Class 3 felony count of aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon involving a shotgun with a barrel less than 18 inches, one Class X felony count of possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver, one Class X felony count of possession of methamphetamine, four Class 4 felony counts of unlawful possession of a controlled substance, one Class 2 felony count of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, one Class 2 felony count of possession of cannabis with intent to deliver and one Class 3 felony count of possession of cannabis.