A federal investigation into drug and firearm activities on Chicago's South Side has led to charges against seven individuals. A grand jury in the U.S. District Court in Chicago returned a superseding indictment accusing these defendants of engaging in a criminal conspiracy that used armed security to safeguard drug trafficking operations in the Englewood neighborhood.
The investigation, spearheaded by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Chicago Police Department, U.S. Secret Service, and U.S. Marshals Service, focused on an open-air marijuana market located on the 1200 block of West 73rd Place. According to the indictment, under armed protection, the defendants distributed large amounts of marijuana and stored drugs, firearms, and cash in nearby residences. Law enforcement seized around 2,000 pounds of marijuana, approximately 81 firearms—including five assault-style rifles—about $425,000 in cash, and jewelry valued at roughly $300,000 during their operation.
The individuals charged with federal drug conspiracy include Kejuan Bryant (31), Jamari Goodman (29), Joseph Albert Heath (32), Matthew Furdge (22), Kewann Whitaker (32) from Chicago; Igor Dze (44) from Miami Beach; and Khiry Strickland (34) from Lemont. Bryant also faces an individual drug distribution charge and is accused alongside Goodman and Heath of illegal firearm possession related to drug trafficking. Most defendants were apprehended last week and have appeared initially in federal court.
In addition to federal charges, state court proceedings have been initiated against 15 other individuals as part of this investigation.
Announcing the federal charges were Andrew S. Boutros, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Sheila G. Lyons from DEA Chicago Field Division; Larry Snelling from CPD; Dai Tran from USSS Chicago Field Office; and LaDon A. Reynolds from the Northern District of Illinois Marshal Service. The Chicago High Intensity Drug Trafficking Task Force and Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office provided significant support during this operation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Schied is representing the government in these cases.
This indictment is part of Operation Take Back America—a nationwide initiative aimed at protecting communities from violent crime through coordinated efforts by various justice departments including Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhoods.
It is important to note that an indictment consists only of charges without evidence of guilt. Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt at trial. The potential penalties for those involved range up to life imprisonment for certain charges against Bryant while others face up to forty years or more depending on specific allegations.
