Gurnee men plead not guilty to drug induced homicide

Two Gurnee men have pleaded not guilty to drug-induced homicide charges in the March death of a 22-year-old Waukegan resident, authorities said.

Haitham Qasem, 27, is facing six years to 30 years in prison if found guilty of the charge at his Nov. 17 trial, said Cynthia Vargas of the Lake County State's Attorney's office.

Kareem Perkins, 30, also pleaded not guilty to drug-induced homicide charges during an arraignment hearing earlier this week, Vargas said. His trial is scheduled for Oct. 14.

Vargas said Waukegan police called to a home in the 400 block of Keller Avenue at 10:20 p.m. March 14 found Christopher Tiskus, 22, dead there. An autopsy later showed that Tiskus died of a drug overdose, Vargas said.

A subsequent investigation linked the drugs back to Qasem and Perkins, authorities say.

Qasem is due back in court on Sept. 30. Perkins is due back Sept. 22.