Aurora man convicted of running drug center out of his home

By Erika Wurst For Chronicle Media
Gerardo Contreras-Gonzalez, 24, 500 block of North Lancaster Drive, Aurora (Photo courtesy of Kane Co. State’s Attorney’s Office)

Gerardo Contreras-Gonzalez, 24, 500 block of North Lancaster Drive, Aurora (Photo courtesy of Kane Co. State’s Attorney’s Office)

An Aurora man who used his home as a meth, cocaine and marijuana distribution center could spend up to 50 years in prison after being convicted this week of multiple drug-related offenses.

On Sept. 13, it took a Kane County jury 1.5 hours to convict Gerardo Contreras-Gonzalez, 24, 500 block of North Lancaster Drive, Aurora, of two counts of unlawful possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, each a Class X felony; unlawful possession of cannabis with intent to deliver, a Class X felony; two counts of unlawful possession of a controlled substance, each a Class 1 felony; unlawful possession of cannabis, a Class 1 felony; and unlawful possession of a firearm, a Class 3 felony.

Kane County prosecutors said Contreras-Gonzalez was using his Aurora home as a drug distribution center in 2014 when an investigation began into the activities taking place inside.

“This defendant’s home was a so-called stash house that was used to store large quantities of drugs for distribution in Kane County, the Chicago area and around the region,” said Kane County State’s Attorney Joe McMahon. “The presence of these drugs in our community creates a significant public safety risk and inevitably leads to an increase in other crimes, such as thefts, robberies and even murder.”

During Contreras-Gonzalez’s trial, Kane County prosecutors described the morning of Aug. 4, 2014, when agents from Homeland Security Investigations with assistance from the Aurora Police Department served a search warrant at Contreras-Gonzalez’s residence. Approximately 803 grams of crystal methamphetamine, 603 grams of cocaine, 9,145 grams of marijuana, as well as a .45 caliber High Point semiautomatic pistol and a Taurus 9mm semiautomatic pistol, were all seized from the home. Prosecutors reported also finding a variety of items commonly associated with selling illegal drugs, such as a ledger, scales and packaging materials.

Authorities estimated the combined street value of the drugs to be between $550,000 and $1.3 million.

“This case is a reminder that drugs and guns are a constant threat that require the vigilance and hard work of our law-enforcement partners,” McMahon said. “I appreciate the willingness of agencies like Homeland Security Investigations and the Aurora Police Department to collaborate to combat drug trafficking. We will continue to do our part to keep the community safe by prosecuting these dangerous drug dealers.”

Contreras-Gonzalez’s next court date appearance is set for 1:30 p.m. Nov. 29, 2016, for motions and sentencing. He faces a sentence of between 12 and 50 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

Contreras-Gonzalez remains in custody at the Kane County jail, where he had been held since his arrest in lieu of $1 million bail. Bond was revoked upon conviction.

Kane County Assistant State’s Attorneys Andrew Whitfield and Bridget Sabbia prosecuted the case.

 

 

 

— Aurora man convicted of running drug center out of his home —