Chicago City Wire

A federal investigation has led to charges against eight individuals accused of trafficking fentanyl and cocaine on Chicago's South Side. The indictment, unsealed in a Chicago federal court, alleges that the defendants conspired to distribute these drugs from March 2023 to July 2024. The group reportedly used a residence in the Englewood neighborhood for their operations and possessed loaded firearms during their activities.

Law enforcement seized quantities of suspected fentanyl-laced heroin, crack cocaine, over a dozen firearms, and ammunition during the investigation. The individuals charged are Patrick Tucker, Thomas Cunningham, Darius Johnson, Kywante Shumake, Keontis Shumake, Kamari Ross, Drequan Bass, and Lacola Williams—all residents of Chicago. They face potential life sentences if convicted. Tucker and Cunningham have additional mandatory minimum sentences of 15 years each; the others face a minimum of ten years. All defendants pleaded not guilty at their arraignment in U.S. District Court.

The announcement was made by Morris Pasqual, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Douglas S. DePodesta, Special Agent-in-Charge of the FBI's Chicago Field Office; and Sean Fitzgerald, Special Agent-in-Charge of Homeland Security Investigations' Chicago office. The Chicago Police Department also provided assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Maureen B. McCurry and Michael Maione represent the government.

This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation aimed at dismantling drug trafficking networks through collaboration among various law enforcement agencies.

The public is reminded that an indictment is not evidence of guilt; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.