Lincoln Police arrests lead to three drug convictions with a fourth case pending

[July 31, 2017]  On July 21, 2017 following a bench trial, Associate Judge William Workman found 32-year-old LC Norman (d.o.b. 1-11-85) of the 5800 block of S. Union Street, Chicago, Illinois, guilty of unlawfully possessing with the intent to deliver more than 100 grams of cocaine on June 7, 2016.

In addition, Judge Workman found Norman guilty of unlawfully possessing with the intent to deliver more than 1 gram of heroin on June 7, 2016, and unlawfully possessing with the intent to deliver more than 1 gram cocaine on August 22, 2015.

Logan County Assistant State’s Attorney Bradley Hauge presented evidence that Norman frequently received money transfers from multiple Logan County drug dealers and would then supply cocaine and heroin to those dealers. On August 22, 2015, Christopher Parrish, 28 (d.o.b. 7-25-89), was driving a vehicle traveling from Chicago to Lincoln, with Norman as a passenger, when officers from the Lincoln Police Department stopped the vehicle. Inside a hidden compartment of the vehicle law enforcement found 13.7 grams of cocaine.

On June 7, 2016, Patrick Fry, 20 (d.o.b. 10-15-96), was driving a vehicle traveling southbound toward Lincoln, with Norman again as a passenger, when the Lincoln Police Department attempted to stop the vehicle. The vehicle initially started to pull over before accelerating. During the pursuit of the vehicle, law enforcement estimated Fry drove in excess of 100 miles per hour on Lincoln Parkway in Lincoln and committed several traffic violations. While attempting to flee law enforcement, Norman reached into his backpack and threw a plastic grocery bag from the vehicle. Law enforcement recovered the plastic grocery bag, which contained smaller plastic bags containing 124.3 grams of cocaine and 9.9 grams of heroin. Also in the area where the grocery bag was found, law enforcement located Terry Helton, 21 (d.o.b 7-14-96), also searching for the same grocery bag.

Upon finding Norman guilty, Judge Workman revoked Norman’s bond and set a sentencing hearing for September 20, 2017 at 3:00pm. The most serious charge for which Norman was found guilty is a Class X Felony and carries a penalty between 9 and 40 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections to be followed by 3 years of Mandatory Supervised Release, formerly called Parole and a sentence of Probation is not possible. According to Illinois law, Norman will have to serve at least 75% of the sentence.

In 2005, Norman had been twice found guilty in Cook County of Burglary, each a Class 2 Felony. In 2009, Norman had been found guilty in Cook County of Unlawful Use of a Weapon by a Felon, a Class 2 Felony. In 2010, Norman had been found guilty in Cook County of Unlawful Use of a Weapon by a Felon, a Class 2 Felony.

On March 28, 2017, Patrick Fry agreed to a sentence of 10 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections in exchange for a guilty plea to Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance, a Class 1 Felony, for his conduct. In addition Fry was ordered to pay $4,513.00 in fines, fees and costs. According to Illinois law, Fry is eligible for day-for-day credit and received credit for 268 days served in the Logan County jail.

In exchange for his cooperation with law enforcement, his testimony during Norman’s trial, and his plea of guilty to Unlawful Criminal Drug Conspiracy, a Class 1 Felony, Terry Helton was sentenced to 4 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for his conduct.

Although Christopher Parrish cooperated with law enforcement and testified on behalf of the People of the State of Illinois during Norman’s trial, Parrish is still awaiting trial and is presumed innocent of all charges pending against him.

Prosecuting those who poison this community with illegal drugs remains a priority with the State’s Attorney’s Office and is taken very seriously. The State’s Attorney’s Office believes that these convictions exemplify the hard work and dedication of the Lincoln Police Department have toward combating the national and local drug crisis and also puts those who may think about violating the law on notice that there are severe consequences for engaging in illegal drug activity.

[Jonathan C. Wright
Logan County State’s Attorney]