Two Men Charged With Dealing Fentanyl-Laced Heroin at Veterans Affairs Hospital in Chicago

CHICAGO — Two men have been arrested on federal drug charges for allegedly selling fentanyl-laced heroin at the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center in Chicago.

RICHARD A. HUSBAND, 73, of Chicago, is charged with distribution of a controlled substance, specifically fentanyl-laced heroin, and WAYNE TOWNSEND, 71, of Chicago, is charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, specifically a quantity of fentanyl-laced heroin.  Criminal complaints filed in U.S. District Court in Chicago accuse Husband and Townsend of dealing and possessing fentanyl-laced heroin at the VA facility last summer.

Husband and Townsend were arrested Monday.  The federal investigation remains ongoing.

The complaints and arrests were announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; and Chief Timothy Jantz of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard M. Rothblatt represents the government.

The public is reminded that a complaint contains only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.  The defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. 

The charges against Husband and Townsend are each punishable by up to 20 years in federal prison.  If convicted, the Court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal sentencing statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.