Bond to Remain at $1 Million For Burr Ridge Man Accused of Drug Induced Homicide
Press Release DuPage County State's Attorney's Office May 2, 2019
DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert B. Berlin, DuPage Metropolitan Enforcement Group (DuMEG) Director Andrew Anselm and Hinsdale Chief of Police Brian King announced today that bond has been set for a Burr Ridge man charged with supplying heroin to an acquaintance resulting in a fatal overdose. Wasim Rashan, 27 (d.o.b. 6/20/1991) of 809 Lakeview Lane, appeared at a bond hearing this morning where Judge George Bakalis kept bond at $1 million with 10% to apply in accordance with an arrest warrant issued yesterday afternoon. Rashan is charged with one count of Drug Induced Homicide, a Class X Felony and Unlawful Delivery of a Controlled Substance, a Class 2 Felony in the death of twenty-three-year-year-old Lauren Tandy of Hinsdale.
In the late evening hours of January 14, 2019, Hinsdale police officers responded to a call of an unresponsive person at her home. Upon their arrival, authorities found Tandy deceased in the residence, the apparent victim of a drug overdose. Authorities recovered baggies in the victim’s bedroom containing a substance, later determined to be heroin/fentanyl. An investigation conducted by DuMEG and the Hinsdale Police Department into the death led to Rashan. The following day, a search warrant was executed at Rashan’s home during which authorities allegedly found baggies that matched the baggies found at the victim’s home, a scale with drug residue on it as well as a list of names and phone numbers that included Tandy’s name and number. It is alleged that on the day of her death, Tandy met with Rashan who supplied her with a bag of heroin. It is alleged that Tandy ingested the heroin Rashan supplied her and consequently died from a drug overdose.
“Last year DuPage County suffered ninety-eight opioid overdose deaths, eighty-three percent of which were from illegal narcotics” Berlin said. To put an end to this senseless loss of life we must do everything within our power to get the drugs off our streets and the dealers behind bars. A dealer may have second thoughts about selling this poison knowing that they will be looking at a significant amount of time locked up if they are the proven source of a fatal overdose. I would like to offer my condolences to Lauren’s family and friends on this terrible loss they have suffered. I would like to thank DuMEG for their work on this case and commend them for their continued pro-active efforts in combatting illegal drug trafficking in DuPage County. I would also like to thank the Hinsdale Police Department for their work in helping us bring a strong prosecution against Mr. Rashan. I would also like to thank Assistant State’s Attorney Jim French for his efforts not only on this case but for his continued work in prosecuting drug dealers who enrich their lives at the expense of others.”
“This case illustrates another example of the persistence and coordinating efforts between DuMEG and its member agencies,” Anselm said.
“Our hearts go out to the family of the victim,” King said. “Although nothing we do will bring her back or lessen the pain of her loss, the charges brought by the DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin’s office in this case will hopefully offer a measure of justice for the family and act as a deterrent to others seeking to distribute drugs in the community.”
Rashan’s next court appearance is scheduled for June 10, 2019, for arraignment in front of Judge Bakalis.
Members of the public are reminded that this complaint contains only charges and is not proof of the defendant’s guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Heroin, Coke, Ecstasy, Guns, Bulletproof Vests Seized In Raid
Patch By Lorraine Swanson December 7, 2018
COUNTRYSIDE, IL -- The DuPage Metropolitan Enforcement Group seized heroin, cocaine, ecstasy, guns and bulletproof vests while executing a search warrant in Countryside. Joseph Hall, 36, and Courtney Jackson, 32, appeared before Judge Peter Felice on multiple felony charges of participating in a calculated criminal drug conspiracy and manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance.
Hall is currently on parole from the Illinois Department of Corrections, where he had been serving six-year sentence after he was convicted of possession of a stolen firearm in 2014.
A prosecutor from the Illinois Attorney General's Office, told the judge that on Dec. 4, officers executed a search warrant at an apartment complex in the 9700 block of Lorraine Drive in Countryside. Hall and Jackson had been under investigation after undercover officers from DMEG claimed to have made multiple drug purchases. The transactions had been arranged by phone, where the undercover cops had been directed to the Countryside apartment complex, DuMEG, an enforcment group composed of federal, state, county and local law enforcment agencies, went to pair's residence with a search warrant where they found 60 grams of heroin, two firearms, two bulletproof vests, 10.2 grams of cocaine, and 37 ecstasy pills, the prosecutor said.
If convicted, Hall, considered a habitual armed offender, faces a mandatory life sentence. He is being held without bond. Jackson was released on a $30,000 I-bond.
"I hope you change your ways, presuming your innocent," Felice said.
Hall and Jackson are due back in court Dec. 20 in Bridgeview.
