Bugle Staff
Joliet police, in conjunction with other regional law enforcement, arrested four men they say were involved in a major heroin distribution operation throughout the Joliet area.
Maceo Johnson, 35, Gerry A. Shannon, 36, and Justin R. Rainey, 33, were arrested April 19, as part of a five month joint investigation by the Joliet Police Department; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and the Joliet Metropolitan Area Narcotics Squad.
“We will continue to work diligently with our law enforcement partners, both local and federal, to target the drug dealers who are contributing to the heroin epidemic that is plaguing our community,” Joliet Police Chief Brian Benton said in a news release announcing the arrests.
All three men were arrested on Will County criminal complaint warrants for calculated criminal conspiracy and unlawful delivery of a controlled substance.
Johnson, of the 700 block of Oneida in Joliet, was taken into custody in Chicago by ATF agents. Police said he was in possession of $938 and a number of pills believed to be Xanax and ecstasy. His bond was set at $6 million.
Shannon, of the 200 block of North Center Street in Joliet, was arrested by MANS and ATF agents in Joliet. Police said he was in possession of $1,150 and approximately 26.25 grams of a substance believed to be heroin. Shannon’s bond was set at $3 million.
Rainey, 1000 block of Ronald Drive in Joliet, was taken into custody by Joliet police while being released from the Will County Adult Detention Facility on an unrelated charge. His bond was set at $3 million.
Once the subjects were in custody, officers and agents conducted a second phase of the investigation, which included serving several search warrants at the suspects’ residences.
Additionally, police arrested Nathaniel Shannon, 33, while serving a search warrant at a residence in the 200 block of North Center Street in Joliet. He was charged for unlawful possession of controlled substance and unlawful possession of cannabis with intent to deliver. Police also recovered $8,385 and small quantities of heroin, cocaine and cannabis.
While serving a search warrant at a residence in the 700 block of Oneida, police said they recovered approximately 288.5 grams of heroin, $355 and a 2015 Chevy Camaro.
Police also seized a 2015 Cadillac Escalade, 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe and 2015 GMC Terrain during a search of a residence in the 3900 block of Mohican Court.
“Joliet MANS will continue to work with other narcotics enforcement agencies as well as treatment and prevention programs to interdict as much heroin as we can before it destroys the lives of the residents of our community,” Joliet MANS Director Mike Weber said.
As part of a third phase of the operation, Joliet police, along with ATF and MANS agents, targeted drug purchasers during a role-reversal sting operation at a motel in the 1700 block of McDonough Street. Police said 12 suspected buyers were identified, 10 vehicles were towed pending seizure review and a quantity of U.S. currency was recovered. Potential charges will be reviewed for the individuals involved.