A Skokie man pleaded guilty yesterday to supplying fentanyl to a West Chicago woman who subsequently overdosed and died.
DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin announced that 31-year-old Benjamin Adrien entered a plea of guilty to one count of Drug Induced Homicide, a Class X Felony. Judge Joseph Bugos sentenced Adrien to 10 years imprisonment.
According to prosecutors, on August 16, 2022, DuPage County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a call in unincorporated West Chicago regarding a drug overdose. The victim was transported to a local hospital for medical attention where she was later pronounced deceased, and her cause of death was determined to be multiple drug intoxication, including fentanyl. An investigation into the matter led authorities to Adrien as the individual who supplied the victim with the fatal dose.
“Judge Bugos’ sentence today sends a strong message of deterrence that if you are found guilty of supplying illegal drugs that result in the death of another person, you will face a significant amount of time behind bars,” Berlin said. “While we have made progress in reducing drug overdose deaths, this young woman’s tragic death is another stark reminder that we must remain vigilant in preventing these heartbreaks.”
Adrien will be required to serve 75% of his sentence before being eligible for parole.
