Gang member charged after drug raid near Round Lake

A documented gang member was arrested and charged after he was caught destroying drug evidence during a search warrant, Lake County sheriff's officials said Friday.

William J. Cochran, 42, a documented street gang member, was charged Dec. 10, with two counts of unlawful possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, two counts of unlawful possession of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of cannabis with the intent to deliver, unlawful possession of cannabis, obstructing justice, obstructing a peace officer, and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.

If found guilty of most serious charge, he could be sentenced up to 30 years in prison.

Authorities with the Lake County Gang Task Force executed a search warrant in the 24500 block of West Norelius Avenue in unincorporated Lake County near Round Lake, officials said. The house was targeted by police after a two-week investigation, officials said.

As detectives entered the residence, Cochran began destroying drug evidence, officials said.

Cocaine, alprazolam, and cannabis was seized by investigators during the search warrant, officials said. The quantity and packaging of the drugs seized were consistent with the sale of narcotics.

This is the second time in six months the gang task force executed a search warrant on a residence where Cochran was found selling narcotics.

Cochran is held at the Lake County jail on $200,000 bail, officials said. His next court date is Jan. 6.