Lake County Gazette

A Beach Park man was arrested on March 5 for drug trafficking following an investigation by the Lake County Sheriff's Office Special Investigations Group (SIG). The arrest occurred in the 200 block of Water Street, Waukegan.

Evan E. Crews, 34, from the 40100 block of North Glendale Ave., Beach Park, was apprehended by SIG, a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area-funded task force, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Chicago Field Division. SIG members conducted an undercover operation that revealed Crews sold more than 90 grams of cocaine to undercover detectives on several occasions. At least one drug deal was set within 350 feet of an elementary school.

According to a news release, SIG received a tip about Crews' drug trafficking activities in January. The Lake County State's Attorney's Office approved charges including Class X felonies for three counts of unlawful possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver and unlawful possession within 500 feet of a school; Class 1 felonies for three counts of unlawful possession; and a Class 4 felony for violating an order of protection.

Sheriff John Idleburg said in the release: "It is absolutely unacceptable that anyone would endanger our communities by trafficking dangerous drugs, let alone so close to an elementary school. Our Special Investigations Group, in partnership with the ATF - Chicago Field Division, remains relentless in holding drug traffickers accountable and keeping these poisons off our streets. I commend our detectives and law enforcement partners for their outstanding work in this case."

The release also emphasized that all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.