By Jim Hagerty
Reporter

ROCKFORD – Winnebago County State’s Attorney Marilyn Hite Ross and Rockford Police Chief Dan O’Shea, on Thursday, announced charges against 12 people in a countywide drug-trafficking investigation.

Those charged are: John E. Curtis, 44, charged with two counts of delivery of a controlled substance (cocaine); Daniel D. McCune, 46, three counts of delivery of a controlled substance (heroin); Eunice J. Jarrett, 39, one count of delivery of a controlled substance (heroin); Gregory L. Watson, two counts of delivery of a controlled substance (heroin); Marlon A. Powell, 41, one count of delivery of a controlled substance (cocaine) and possession with the intent to deliver cannabis; Sherman Jones, 40, two counts of delivery of a controlled substance (heroin); Antwon A. Sherman, 36, two counts of delivery of a controlled substance (cocaine); Thomas Cravens, 42, one count of armed habitual criminal; Tryrone L.T. Anderson; one count of unlawful use of weapons by a felon; Demargio F. Tripp, 30, armed habitual criminal, possession with intent to delivery a controlled substance (cocaine), possession with intent to deliver cannabis and three counts of unlawful use of weapons by a felon; Fernando Freeman; 37, possession with intent to deliver cocaine, possession to deliver heroin, armed violence, unlawful use of weapons by a felon and unlawful possession of a stolen firearm; and John F. Anderson, 35, who pleaded guilty on Jan. 30 to one count of possession of a controlled substance.

Curtis, McCune, Jarrett, Watson and Freeman are in custody. Powell, Jones, Sherman, Cravens and Tripp are wanted.

Four other suspects, who have not been named, face federal charges.

“When illegal contraband is removed from the community it makes for a safer and healthier environment,” Hite Ross said at a press conference. “That is my goal in working collaboratively with local law enforcement agencies and our federal partners at the U.S. Attorneys’ Office.  We will continue this endeavor to eradicate the illegal drugs and illegal possession of firearms in Winnebago County.”

O’Shea added: “We keep working to go after drug dealers. Tell us who they are, and we will get them off the streets and save some more lives by getting rid of the people who are selling this dope.”

The Rockford Police Department Narcotics Division, the DEA Rockford Task Force, FBI, Slant, and the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Narcotics Unit and the U.S. Attorney’s Office took part in the investigation.

In addition to illegal drugs, six firearms including a high-caliber rifle and a stolen firearm, were seized along with 17 vehicles.

Anyone with information about the whereabouts of the wanted suspects in this case are urged to call Rockford Police at 815-966-2900 or leave an anonymous tip with Rockford Area Crime Stoppers at 815-963-7867.