Prairie State Wire

A federal investigation targeting drug and firearm activities on Chicago's South Side has led to charges against seven individuals. A grand jury in the U.S. District Court in Chicago returned a superseding indictment, accusing the defendants of engaging in a criminal conspiracy involving armed security to safeguard drug trafficking operations in the Englewood neighborhood.

The investigation, conducted by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Chicago Police Department, U.S. Secret Service, and U.S. Marshals Service, focused on an open-air marijuana market located on the 1200 block of West 73rd Place. The indictment alleges that under armed protection, the defendants sold significant quantities of marijuana and stored drugs, firearms, and cash in nearby residences. Law enforcement seized around 2,000 pounds of marijuana, approximately 81 firearms—including five assault-style rifles—$425,000 in cash, and jewelry valued at $300,000 during the operation.

The individuals charged with federal drug conspiracy include Kejuan Bryant (31), Jamari Goodman (29), Joseph Albert Heath (32), Matthew Furdge (22), Kewann Whitaker (32) from Chicago; Igor Dze (44) from Miami Beach, Florida; and Khiry Strickland (34) from Lemont, Illinois. Bryant also faces a separate charge for drug distribution and is accused alongside Goodman and Heath of illegal firearm possession related to drug trafficking activities. Most defendants were arrested last week and have appeared in federal court.

In addition to federal charges, 15 people face state charges stemming from this investigation.

Announcing the charges were Andrew S. Boutros, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Sheila G. Lyons, Special Agent-in-Charge of the DEA Chicago Field Division; Larry Snelling, Superintendent of CPD; Dai Tran, Special Agent-in-Charge of the USSS Chicago Field Office; and LaDon A. Reynolds, United States Marshal for the Northern District of Illinois. The Chicago High Intensity Drug Trafficking Task Force (HIDTA) and Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office provided assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Schied represents the government in these cases.

This federal indictment is part of Operation Take Back America—a nationwide initiative utilizing resources from various Department of Justice entities like Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN)—to combat violent crime.

It is important to note that an indictment only contains charges without serving as evidence of guilt. Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt at trial. If convicted on conspiracy charges, Bryant could face life imprisonment while others could receive up to forty years each. The firearm charge carries a maximum life sentence with a mandatory minimum sentence of five years per defendant involved.