Drug-Induced Homicide: Felon Charged In Montgomery Man's Death

MONTGOMERY, IL — An inmate in the Illinois Department of Corrections is facing a new charge of drug-induced homicide in the March 24 death of a 30-year-old Montgomery man. The Kendall County Sheriff's office said deputies responded to the 20 block of Ashlawn Avenue that day to find victim Bradley Friel suffering from an apparent drug overdose. Friel was taken to an area hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

Sheriff's detectives began an investigation and, nearly five months later, the Kendall County State's Attorney's Office charged another Montgomery man in connection with Friel's death.

On Aug. 15, 37-year-old Gary Castle, of the 0-10 block of Saugatuck Road, was charged with one count of drug-induced homicide, a class X felony. (For more information on this and other neighborhood stories, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts.)

A warrant was issued for Castle, with bond set at $250,000.

But it's unlikely Castle will be making an appearance at the Kendall County Jail anytime soon. He's currently in custody at the Illinois River Correctional Center in Canton, Illinois. Castle arrived at the prison on June 8 after being convicted on drug charges in Kendall County. He previously did time for drug, theft, forgery, burglary and false police report charges in Cook, Kendall and Kane counties, according to IDOC records. His projected parole date is October 2020.

Photo of Gary Castle via Illinois Department of Corrections