Elgin cocaine dealer convicted, faces prison
A 35-year-old Elgin man faces six to 30 years in prison after a jury convicted him this week of coordinating three cocaine sales in October 2012 near an Elgin park.
Ladell D. Walker, of the 600 block of South Liberty Street, was arrested in a 2013 Elgin drug sweep. He will be sentenced April 3 by Judge Karen Simpson.
Prosecutors argued at trial that Walker set up three cocaine deals to undercover officers in the 1500 block of Mulberry Lane, which is near Cornerstone Park. A jury deliberated about an hour before convicting him.
"Mr. Walker thought he could hide in the background risk-free as he arranged for others to push his poison into the community for him. He was wrong, and now he's headed to prison," Kane County State's Attorney Joe McMahon said.
Three other Elgin residents also were charged.
Silvia Magallanes, 46, of the 100 block of North Root Street, pleaded guilty to felony delivery of a controlled substance and received 30 months probation.
Carolyn Williams, 50, of the 200 block of Douglas Avenue, and John W. Johnson, 56, of the 900 block of Flora Drive, also face drug delivery charges and are due in court March 20.