ATTORNEY GENERAL RAOUL OBTAINS 14-YEAR PRISON SENTENCE IN DRUG-INDUCED HOMICIDE CASE AGAINST SUBURBAN MAN FOR ROLE IN FENTANYL OVERDOSE DEATHS

ATTORNEY GENERAL RAOUL OBTAINS 14-YEAR PRISON SENTENCE IN DRUG-INDUCED HOMICIDE CASE AGAINST SUBURBAN MAN FOR ROLE IN FENTANYL OVERDOSE DEATHS

August 07, 2026

Chicago - Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced an Elgin, Illinois man was sentenced to prison for his role in the drug-induced homicides of two individuals who died after taking cocaine laced with fentanyl.

Jarrail Ford-Gresham, 36, pleaded guilty to two Class X felony counts of drug-induced homicide in Kane County Circuit Court today. Judge Julia Yetter sentenced Gresham to 14 years in prison. The sentence will be served consecutively to another 14-year sentence he received in a separate drug-induced homicide case prosecuted by the McHenry County State's Attorney's office

"Nothing will take away the pain of their loss for the victims' friends and families, but it is my hope that today's sentence brings some healing," Raoul said. "The defendant distributed illicit drugs with fatal consequences, and I am proud of the collaboration between my office's criminal division and local law enforcement in holding the defendant accountable. I remain committed to working with law enforcement agencies across the state to keep drugs off the street and keep our communities safe."

Raoul's office alleged that between Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, 2023, Gresham delivered cocaine to two different individuals in Elgin and Palatine, both of whom were later found dead after taking what turned out to be cocaine laced with fentanyl. The first delivery occurred in Elgin after the victim and a third party pooled money together to purchase crack-cocaine from Gresham. The third party was observed on surveillance video entering and exiting Gresham's vehicle. Then approximately a minute later, the victim returned to split the crack-cocaine. The next morning, the victim was found unresponsive at an Elgin homeless encampment.

Later that same day, Gresham and another victim were observed on surveillance video entering a Motel 6 in Palatine. That evening, the Palatine Police Department responded to a 911 call at the motel and found the victim deceased on the bed. Gresham was arrested May 28 by Elgin Police Department following their investigation with the Palatine Police Department.

Raoul's office co-prosecuted this case with Kane County State's Attorney Jamie Mosser's office.

"This sentence reflects the devastating consequences of distributing fentanyl-laced drugs and the immeasurable loss suffered by the victims' families," Mosser said. "I am grateful for the partnership between the Illinois Attorney General's Office and the Elgin and Palatine police departments that made this outcome possible. We remain committed to pursuing justice for victims and holding those who profit from dangerous drugs fully accountable."

Assistant Attorney General Andrew Whitfield prosecuted the case for Raoul's Statewide Grand Jury Bureau. Assistant State's Attorney Kelly Orland prosecuted the case for the Kane County State's Attorney's office.