Evanston Police Spearhead Proactive Multi-Jurisdictional Undercover Operation taking Guns, Drugs and Gang Members off Evanston Streets
The Evanston Police Department’s Neighborhood Enforcement Team (N.E.T.) was instrumental in spearheading and coordinating a multi-jurisdictional law enforcement effort, targeting gang members and street level open air drug markets.
This operation began back in April of 2010 and involved the Evanston Police Department, Cook County Sheriff’s Second and Fourth District Gang Units, Cook County State’s Attorney Investigators, Northbrook and Wilmette Police Departments, the United States Department of Agriculture and the Cook County State’s Attorney.
Members of the Evanston Police Departments N.E.T. Unit, reviewed citizen complaints, analyzed crime patterns, and orchestrated deployment initiatives. Resulting from this analysis, members of the N.E.T. identified locations and individuals involved in open air drug markets, and various other criminal activities.
Furthering this operation, dubbed “Operation Hard Swipe,” police employed surveillance techniques, confidential informants and undercover police officers. These operatives were able to make street level narcotic purchases, many transactions being video taped.
Undercover officers did an excellent job in establishing relationships with street level drug dealers, increasing their ability to buy ever larger quantities of narcotics. In total, 64 undercover narcotic purchases were made, many of these within 1000 feet of churches, parks, and schools, making these transactions felonies.
As an outgrowth of “Operation Hard Swipe,” investigators determined that various individuals were operating a drug market out of Ramy’s Foods, located at 1723 Simpson Evanston. Additionally, investigators learned that employees of Ramy’s were conducting fraudulent transactions with State of Illinois LINK Cards. These fraudulent transactions involved LINK card recipients falsifying food purchases and then dividing cash associated with these purchases amongst them selves and Ramy’s store employees.
On 9-23-10 “Operation Hard Swipe” investigative efforts culminated in a street-level arrest sweep and the execution of four search warrants, resulting in the arrest 16 individuals. Investigators also seized 26.6 grams of crack cocaine, 10.8 grams of heroin, 18.1 grams of ecstasy, 26.6 grams of MDMA, and 354.75 grams of cannabis.
As a result of “Operations Hard Swipe,” the streets of Evanston and its neighboring communities are significantly safer, in that police also recovered 5 hand guns and 1 shotgun. Drug dealers were also impacted financially when investigators seized drug proceeds totaling $23,557.00.
The Evanston Police Department would like to thank all agencies and the dedicated law enforcement officers and prosecutors who made “Operation Hard Swipe” such a resounding success.
ARRESTEES:
The below listed individuals were arrested in “Operation Hard Swipe”, court dates will vary with some of these individuals, this due to pending indictments.
Lori Osborne DOB - 12-16-62
LKA: 9129 Lawler, Skokie
Delivery of a Controlled Substance
Darryl L. Verner DOB - 10-27-63
LKA: 1827 Laurel Ev.IL.
Delivery of a Controlled Substance
Harold C. Verner DOB - 03-12-70
LKA: 1827 Laurel Ev.IL.
U.U.W. by Felon - 5 Counts
Felony Possession of Cannabis
Christopher Lawson DOB 10-02-86
LKA: 7648 N. Paulina, Chicago
Del. Of a look-a-like Substance
Freddie J. Stanley DOB - 6-10-88
LKA: 4110 W. Oakton, Skokie
Delivery of Cannabis
Jason D. Powell DOB - 06-18-88
LKA: 1000 Maple
Delivery of Cannabis
Ronald Davis DOB - 06-07-90
LKA: 1460 Dewey Ev.Il.
Delivery of Cannabis
Darrell Warren DOB - 12-3-88
LKA: 7747 Tripp, Skokie 10-9612
Delivery of Cannabis
Evan Spaulding DOB - 01-22-90
LKA: 820 Judson Ev.IL.
Delivery of Cannabis
Michael Atkins DOB - 04-05-69
LKA: 1165 N. Milwaukee, Chicago
Delivery of a Controlled Substance
Leslie Calvin DOB - 09-07-90 (Deceased) –was to be charged with
LKA: 135 Callan, Ev.IL.
Delivery of a Controlled Substance
Darcy Richburg DOB - 06-01-87
LKA: 7654 N. Sheridan 10-16931
Delivery of a Controlled Substance
Erica L. Barton DOB - 09-28-88
LKA: 2016 Grant Ev.IL.
Delivery of a Controlled Substance
Michael B. Smart DOB - 05-07-81
LKA: 2609 W. Greenleaf, Chicago
Possession of Cannabis
Errol Kelly DOB - 08-30-83
LKA: 7621 N. Sheridan Chi.Il.
Delivery of a Controlled Substance
Albert E. Norman DOB - 12-18-91
LKA: 8301 Kildare, Skokie
Delivery of a Controlled Substance
Justin Parks DOB - 07-24-93
LKA: 1810 Church Ev. Il.
Delivery of a Controlled Substance
Maurice Alston DOB - 11-02-82
LKA: 713 Seward Ev. Il.
Delivery of a Controlled Substance
Shaiking Mison Mathis DOB - 07-11-86
LKA: 8811 N. Washington, Niles
Delivery of Cannabis
Dejuan A. Blackwell DOB - 04-06-91
LKA: 1824 Grey Ev. IL.
Delivery of a Controlled Substance, Unlawful use of a weapon
Blake Ross DOB - 03-06-93
LKA: 2320 Greenwood Ev.Il.
Delivery of a Controlled Substance
LaSean Vaughters DOB - 05-30-89
LKA: 1125 Fowler Ev.IL.
Delivery of Cannabis
Darius Morales DOB - 11-25-89
LKA: 9128 Bennett, Skokie
Delivery of Cannabis
Kevin L. Stewart DOB - 04-04-86
LKA: 2002 Darrow Ev.Il.
Delivery of a Controlled Substance
Devane K. Arthurs DOB - 11-29-86
LKA: 1811 Brown Ev.Il.
Possession of Cannabis
Jason O. Pinnock DOB - 01-13-88
LKA: 1612 Darrow Ev.Il.
Possession of Cannabis
Earl E. Arthurs DOB - 12-16-78
LKA: 1811 Brown Ev.Il.
Possession of ammunition without an F.O.I.D card
Darrel D. Luce DOB - 10-16-65
LKA: 1641 Fowler Ev.Il.
Possession of a Controlled Substance
Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver,
Possession of ammunition without an F.O.I.D card
Towan D. Jackson DOB - 11-23-87
LKA: 1641 Fowler Ev.Il.
Possession of Cannabis with Intent to Deliver