Zion man facing heroin possession charges

A Zion man was charged Wednesday with possessing just over 60 grams of heroin after a joint operation by the Lake County sheriff's Special Investigations Group and the Zion Police Department.

Andrew Q. Kaywon-Thomas, 37, who police said is a documented street gang member, faces charges of unlawful possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, a Class X felony, and unlawful possession of a controlled substance, Class 1 felony, according to a news release issued by the Lake County sheriff's office.

Class X felonies carry prison sentences of 6 to 30 years, and sentences for Class 1 felonies can range from 4 to 15 years in prison.

The investigation, which lasted around one month, concluded Wednesday morning when officers executed a search warrant for Kaywon-Thomas' house on the 2800 block of Galilee Avenue in Zion.

The sheriff's Special Investigations Group was previously known as the Gang Task Force. Sgt. Christopher Covelli, the office's spokesman, said Sheriff John Idleburg rebranded it this year and refocused efforts into aggressively seeking people who distribute heroin and other drugs. Since then, more agencies have joined the group, including the Gurnee and Zion police departments.

Covelli said the joint operation with Zion police, which led to Kaywon-Thomas' arrest, is part of that effort.

Kaywon-Thomas remains in the Lake County jail pending an initial court hearing where his bail will be set.