SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - A grand jury returned an indictment today that charges Kevin Brooks, 34, of Kankakee, Ill., with possession of heroin with intent to distribute. The indictment alleges that on Feb. 7, 2017, Brooks possessed approximately one kilogram or more of heroin with intent to distribute.
Brooks was previously arrested and charged by federal criminal complaint on Feb. 9. According to the affidavit filed in support of the complaint, on Feb. 7, Illinois State Police conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle driven by Brooks on southbound Interstate 57, in Douglas County. During a subsequent search of the vehicle, officers allegedly recovered an amount of heroin estimated at more than one kilogram.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Eric I. Long has ordered Brooks detained in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
The East Central Illinois Task Force, Illinois State Police and the FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Bryan Freres is prosecuting the case.
If convicted, the statutory penalty for possession of one kilogram or more of heroin with the intent to distribute is 10 years to life in prison
Members of the public are reminded that an indictment is merely an accusation; each defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.