Heroin use has been called an epidemic in the west suburbs.

While Kane County officials understand that arrest and prosecution are only parts of the effort to address that epidemic, they also know that each conviction and prison sentence can save lives.

“Heroin overdoses continue at alarming numbers in the Chicago area and across the nation. These prison sentences for heroin dealers are an important part of the process to get heroin out of our communities,” Kane County State’s Attorney Joe McMahon said. “It is critical that we send a strong message that peddling this poison in Kane County will not be tolerated.”

Sentencing for two heroin-related convictions took place this week. The first involved a 43-year-old Elgin man, the second a 30-year-old former Aurora man, both of whom will go to prison for dealing the drug.

Elgin Man Sent to Prison for Heroin Sale

Rinnell Mallory, 43, most recently of the 500 block of Van Street, Elgin, on Wednesday, March 25, 2015, agreed to a sentence of 13½ years in the Illinois Department of Corrections in exchange for a guilty plea to unlawful delivery of a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a park, a Class X felony.

Circuit Judge Susan Clancy Boles accepted the plea.

Prosecutors presented evidence that on July 15, 2013, an undercover police officer contacted Mallory and asked to purchase heroin. Mallory gave the officer contact information for a co-defendant, who agreed to sell heroin to the officer. The co-defendant and a second co-defendant then met with the officer and provided 1.2 grams of heroin to the officer exchange for $130 cash. The sale took place in the vicinity of Foundry Park in the 100 block of North State Street. Mallory sold heroin or arranged for heroin to be sold to undercover officers on at least five other occasions during this investigation.

The cases against the co-defendants are pending. One is charged with five counts of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance. The other is charged with one count of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance.

According to Illinois law, Mallory is eligible for day-for-day sentencing. He was given credit for at least 419 days served in the Kane County jail, where he was held since his arrest in lieu of $500,000 bail. Bond was revoked upon conviction.

“Heroin overdoses are at epidemic levels in the Chicago area and across the county.  McMahon said.

The case was prosecuted by Kane County Assistant State’s Attorney Kelly Orland.

The charges against the co-defendants are not proof of guilt. A defendant charged is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the state’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Aurora Man Sentenced to Prison for Heroin Sales

Also on Wednesday, March 25, Michael E. James, 30, last address of the 1500 block of Michael Lane, Aurora, by Circuit Judge Susan Clancy Boles, to 10½ years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

James was convicted Feb. 10, 2015, by a Kane County jury, of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance, a Class 1 felony.

Prosecutors presented evidence that four times in July 2013 James sold heroin that totaled approximately four grams in weight.

According to Illinois law, James is eligible for day-for-day sentencing. He was given credit for at least 610 days served in the Kane County jail, where he has been held since his arrest in lieu of $100,000 bail. Bond was revoked upon conviction.

“Heroin overdoses continue at alarming numbers in the Chicago area and across the nation. These prison sentences for heroin dealers are an important part of the process to get heroin out of our communities,” Kane County State’s Attorney Joe McMahon said. “This case is an example of the good work that can come from law enforcement agencies across the region working together.

“Thanks for the good work from the Kendall County Cooperative Police Assistance Team, which investigated this case, and to Kane County Assistant State’s Attorneys Bridget Sabbia and Scott Schwertley, who prosecuted this case.”

SOURCE: Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office press releases