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Men imprisoned on drug charges and freed are arrested again

Posted April 11, 2018 7:00 am

The Associated Press

CHICAGO (AP) - Two Chicago men imprisoned after convictions resulting from the actions of a corrupt police sergeant again face drug charges.

Ben Baker's drug conviction was overturned and the charges against him dropped in 2016 after he alleged he was framed by former Sgt. Ronald Watts. Baker alleged Watts framed him because he refused to pay a street tax, resulting in a seven-year sentence.

Jamar Lewis served five years in prison on a drug conviction. He was among 15 men whose Watts-related cases were dropped in 2017. Both Baker and Lewis were granted certificates of innocence.

The Chicago Tribune reports the 45-year-old Baker faces four federal counts of distributing heroin. The 33-year-old Lewis is charged with a single count of selling heroin. The charges are a result of a Drug Enforcement Administration probe.

Attorneys for Baker and Lewis had no comment on the charges.

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Information from: Chicago Tribune, http://www.chicagotribune.com

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