Dupage Policy Journal

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Naperville Chief of Police Jason Arres announced today that Judge Joshua Dieden has granted the state's motion to deny pre-trial release for a Chicago man charged with supplying a fatal dose of fentanyl and alprazolam to a thirty-three-year-old man from Naperville in February 2023. Christopher Hobson, 38, of the 4300 block of S. Saint Lawrence Avenue, appeared in First Appearance Court this morning charged with three counts of Drug Induced Homicide (Class X Felony), one count of Manufacture/Delivery of a Controlled Substance (Class 2 Felony), and one count of Manufacture/Delivery of a Controlled Substance (Class 3 Felony). On April 4, 2024, DuPage County Judge George Ford issued an arrest warrant for Hobson. He was taken into custody on July 17, 2024, in Chicago and returned to DuPage County to face the charges against him.

It is alleged that on February 20, 2023, the victim arranged to receive illegal narcotics from Hobson. The next day, it is alleged that the narcotics ordered by the victim were delivered by an unidentified third party at Hobson's direction. It is further alleged that the victim ingested these narcotics and subsequently passed away from a drug overdose. On February 22, 2023, at approximately 1:46 p.m., the victim was found unresponsive in his home and pronounced deceased approximately twenty minutes later at 2:05 p.m. Authorities processing the scene found numerous bags containing illegal narcotics. An autopsy determined the cause of death to be Combined Drug Intoxication - Fentanyl, Alprazolam, Phenobarbital, and Fluoxetine. The victim was prescribed Phenobarbital and Fluoxetine. An investigation conducted by the Naperville Police Department identified Hobson as allegedly supplying the fatal dose.

“The tragic death of the victim is yet another terrible reminder of the extreme danger illegal narcotics, particularly fentanyl, continue to be in our communities,” Berlin said. “Losing someone close to you is hard enough but to lose a beloved family member so suddenly and unnecessarily can have a crippling effect on not just immediate family but also surviving friends and relatives." Berlin continued: "To those who peddle this poison, today’s charges send a clear message that if you supply fatal narcotics causing death, you will be identified, charged, prosecuted and if found guilty face up to thirty years in penitentiary."

“This investigation is an excellent example of how committed our department is to holding those responsible for such tragedies accountable,” said Naperville Police Chief Jason Arres.

Hobson’s next court appearance is scheduled for August 12, 2024.

Members of the public are reminded that this complaint contains only charges and is not proof of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.

___