Antioch Twp. man denies role in teen's drug death

An Antioch Township man pleaded not guilty Friday to charges he supplied the heroin that killed an 18-year-old sailor from Great Lakes.

Kelton Lewis, 23, faces a mandatory prison sentence of six to 30 years if convicted of drug-induced homicide.

Lake County Assistant State's Attorney Steven Derue said Lewis, of 25308 Crawford Road, was staying at a Vernon Hills motel on March 2. There, Lewis met Owen Martinez, a sailor stationed at Great Lakes, Derue said.

The pair went to the Lindenhurst area, where Lewis bought some heroin. Once back at the motel, Lewis inhaled heroin while Martinez injected some into his arm, Derue said.

A while later, Derue said, Lewis noticed Martinez was not breathing and cleared the room of syringes and other drug paraphernalia before calling for emergency help.

Martinez was dead by the time paramedics reached the motel room, Derue said.

Circuit Judge John Phillips scheduled a trial of the case for Aug. 11. He ordered Lewis, who is held on $250,000 bond, to appear in court June 20.