The teamwork of multiple law-enforcers culminated today (Thursday, June 15, 2017) with the announcement of multiple felonies against six men on charges drug dealing and firearms sales.

A total of 32 felony charges have been filed against the men following an eight-month investigation by the Aurora Police, Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office. Fifteen of those charges are classified as “Class-X” and call for enhanced penalties upon conviction.

The investigation used undercover, controlled narcotics and weapons purchases and involved confidential informants.

Charging documents indicate the purchases were all video and/or audio recorded and took place in various locations in Aurora, Montgomery and North Aurora.

All of the felonies are state charges and will be prosecuted by the Kane County State’s Attorney. During the investigation, about 61 grams of cocaine, 11 grams of heroin, and one firearm — a .270 caliber rifle with 19 rounds of ammunition — were seized. The majority of the investigation’s targets have documented criminal histories involving narcotics, weapons, and other alleged violent offenses.

Five of the men were taken into custody Thursday, June 8, when about 40 Aurora police officers and FBI special agents fanned out across the area and executed arrest warrants either at the suspects’ homes or places where they were known to frequent. One man remains at large.

One of the suspects, Paul Woodard, 40, of the 1100 block of Fenton Street, Aurora, is charged with two Class-X counts of being an armed habitual criminal; an additional Class-X count of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a school; and additional felonies that include two counts each of unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon and unlawful possession of ammunition by a felon; and single counts of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance and unlawful sale or delivery of a firearm.

He is being held in lieu of $500,000 bail in the Kane County Correctional Center. Woodard was on parole at the time of his arrest and an IDOC arrest warrant has been issued should he post bail.

Another of the men, Randy Stewart, 47, of the 1100 block of New Castle Lane, Aurora, was charged with four Class-X counts of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance within 1000 feet of a park and an additional four counts of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance. Stewart, who was on federal probation when he was arrested, is being held in Kane County on $250,000 bail.

The other suspects in custody include:

Anthony S. Birks, 55, of the 900 block of Fulton Street, Aurora; and Kevin Thompson, 34, of the 1100 block of Lorlyn Circle, Batavia; each charged with two Class-X counts of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a school or park and two additional counts of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance. Both men are being held in the Kane County Correctional Center: Birks on $450,000 bail and Thompson on $250,000 bail.

Ronald Burt, 47, of the 1100 block of Bonner Avenue, Aurora, charged with one Class-X Count of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a park and an additional count of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance. Burt’s bail information was not immediately available.

Police continue their search for Raymond Johnson, 36, of the 1100 block of Fenton Street, Aurora, on three Class-X counts of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance within 1000 feet of a school or park and two additional felony counts of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance.

Johnson is a black male, 6 feet, 3 inches, 280 pounds with black hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call Aurora Police Special Operations Group Investigators at 630-256-5600 or their local law enforcement agency by dialing 911. To remain anonymous and qualify for a cash reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads to Johnson’s arrest, call Aurora Area Crime Stoppers at 630-892-1000.

Tips can also be submitted through the Aurora Police Department’s free app available through iTunes, the Android Market or Amazon App Store. Simply search for “My Police Department,” find the Aurora Police, and download.

Officers from the Elgin Police Department and Cook County Sheriff’s Office assisted during the investigation.

The charges against the men are not proof of guilt. They are all presumed innocent and are entitled to a fair trial in which it is the state’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

SOURCE: Aurora Police Department news release