A federal investigation targeting the sale of fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine in Chicago has led to a grand jury returning charges against six individuals. The U.S. District Court in Chicago returned a superseding indictment accusing the defendants of conspiring to distribute these drugs in 2024. Two of the accused also face firearm offenses for illegal possession of semiautomatic handguns as previously convicted felons.
The individuals charged with drug conspiracy are Andre Debruce, 40, from Schiller Park, Illinois; Terrance Patton, 40; Craig Caldwell, 43; Timothy Belin, 48; Jennifer Word, 39; and Denomoius Wells, 41—all from Chicago. Patton and Caldwell are specifically charged with illegal firearm possession due to their prior convictions. Additionally, Caldwell faces another gun charge related to drug trafficking activities.
Caldwell's charges carry a potential life sentence in federal prison with a mandatory minimum of five years. Patton and Debruce could face up to 40 years with a similar mandatory minimum sentence. Meanwhile, Belin, Word, and Wells each face up to 20 years without a mandatory minimum.
During his arraignment before U.S. Magistrate Judge M. David Weisman on Tuesday, Wells pleaded not guilty to the charges. The other five defendants have also been arraigned and entered not guilty pleas.
Andrew S. Boutros, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, along with Douglas S. DePodesta from the FBI's Chicago Field Office announced the indictment. The investigation received substantial support from IRS Criminal Investigation in Chicago and police departments in Chicago and Evanston. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Hayley Altabef and Adam Rosenbloom represent the government.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America—a nationwide initiative by the Department of Justice focusing on violent crime prevention through resources like Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
It is important to note that an indictment consists only of charges and does not serve as evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
