Lake County Gazette

A report of shots fired led to an arrest, drug seizure, and charges against a suspect in unincorporated Gurnee early on July 5.

At approximately 2:15 a.m., Lake County Sheriff's deputies responded to the 18600 block of Highfield Drive in Gurnee following reports of gunfire. The caller informed 911 that a man and a woman were shooting from the yard. Deputies arrived and spoke with the home's occupant, Nazareth T. Collins, 34, as he exited the front door. They observed several discharged firearm rounds (.762 and 5.7x28) in the yard. Collins and others inside were uncooperative and declined requests to search the residence.

According to a release from the authorities, deputies collaborated with the Lake County State's Attorney's Office to obtain a search warrant, believing firearms were likely still inside. A judge approved and signed the warrant at approximately 6:20 a.m.

The release further states that members of the Lake County Sheriff's Tactical Response Team executed the search warrant. In Collins' bedroom, they discovered over 500 grams of cocaine, more than 40 grams of MDMA pills, over 1,400 grams of cannabis, more than 35 grams of psilocybin mushrooms, and Alprazolam pills. However, no firearms were located. Deputies believe another individual may have removed them before their arrival.

The Lake County State's Attorney's Office reviewed the incident facts and approved multiple charges against Collins: unlawful possession with intent to deliver cocaine (class X felony), unlawful possession with intent to deliver psilocybin (class 2 felony), unlawful possession with intent to deliver MDMA (class 2 felony), unlawful possession of cocaine (class 1 felony), unlawful possession of MDMA (15-100 grams) (class 1 felony), unlawful possession of psilocybin (class 4 felony), possession of cannabis with intent to deliver (500-2,000 grams) (class 2 felony), possession of cannabis (500-2,000 grams) (class 3 felony), and unlawful possession of Alprazolam (class 4 felony). Additional charges related to firearm discharge are possible.

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