PALATINE, IL — An Elgin man accused two years ago in the fentanyl-related deaths of two people, including a woman found dead at a Palatine motel, has been sentenced to a total of 28 years in prison.
Jarrail Ford-Gresham, 36, pleaded guilty Friday in Kane County Circuit Court to two Class X felony counts of drug-induced homicide. Judge Julia Yetter sentenced him to 14 years in prison.
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That sentence will be served consecutively to another 14-year sentence Ford-Gresham previously received in a separate drug-induced homicide case prosecuted by the McHenry County State's Attorney's Office, according to Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul.
Patch first reported in May 2024 that Ford-Gresham had been charged with two counts each of drug-induced homicide and unlawful delivery of a controlled substance in connection with deaths in Palatine and Elgin. Authorities alleged at the time that he supplied cocaine that was later determined to contain fentanyl.
"Nothing will take away the pain of their loss for the victims' friends and families, but it is my hope that today's sentence brings some healing," Raoul said in a statement.
"The defendant distributed illicit drugs with fatal consequences, and I am proud of the collaboration between my office's criminal division and local law enforcement in holding the defendant accountable."
Authorities said Ford-Gresham delivered cocaine to two different people between Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, 2023.
In the Elgin case, a victim and another person pooled money to buy crack cocaine from Ford-Gresham, according to prosecutors. Surveillance video showed the other person entering and leaving Ford-Gresham's vehicle before returning to split the drugs with the victim.
The victim was found unresponsive the following morning at an Elgin homeless encampment.
Later Dec. 1, surveillance video showed Ford-Gresham entering a Motel 6 in Palatine with another person, according to authorities.
Palatine police responded to a 911 call at the motel that evening and found the victim dead on a bed. Patch reported in 2024 that Palatine police identified that victim as a 32-year-old woman.
Investigators determined both victims had taken cocaine containing fentanyl.
Ford-Gresham was arrested May 28, 2024, by Elgin police following an investigation conducted with Palatine police.
Raoul's office co-prosecuted the case with Kane County State's Attorney Jamie Mosser's office.
"This sentence reflects the devastating consequences of distributing fentanyl-laced drugs and the immeasurable loss suffered by the victims' families," Mosser said in a statement.
"I am grateful for the partnership between the Illinois Attorney General's Office and the Elgin and Palatine police departments that made this outcome possible. We remain committed to pursuing justice for victims and holding those who profit from dangerous drugs fully accountable."
Assistant Attorney General Andrew Whitfield prosecuted the case for Raoul's Statewide Grand Jury Bureau, while Assistant State's Attorney Kelly Orland prosecuted for the Kane County State's Attorney's Office.
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