Man charged with dealing meth from home daycare in North Chicago

NORTH CHICAGO, Ill — A man has been arrested and charged for selling meth out of a home that runs as a daycare in North Chicago.

Delwin Hodge, 27, of North Chicago, is charged with three counts of unlawful possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, two counts of unlawful possession of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of a controlled substance and endangering the life/welfare of a child.

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According to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Group (SIG), Hodge was selling narcotics out of a home in the 2100 block of Wright Avenue. Detectives initiated an undercover operation and discovered he was selling methamphetamine.

During the operations, Hodge sold over 200 grams of methamphetamine to undercover officers. 

Detectives obtained a search warrant for Hodge’s home and conducted the search on Thursday, where materials for narcotics distribution were found in his bedroom. 

Police said it appeared that drugs were flushed down a toilet prior to the officers’ arrival to the residence.

A gun and ammunition were also found. According to SIG, multiple people live at the home and it is unclear at this time who the firearm belongs to.

Detectives said the home Hodge was living and drug trafficking from is used as a daycare and that the gun was not secured and was accessible to children.

The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services has been notified.

Sheriff John D. Idleburg said, “It is absolutely unacceptable for anyone to traffic dangerous drugs in our community, especially from a home where children are present.  The fact that methamphetamine was being sold and a firearm was left accessible in a daycare environment is beyond reckless.  I am proud of the outstanding work our Special Investigations Group and SWAT did to safely apprehend this individual and prevent further harm.”

Police said Hodge was on parole at the time of his arrest and a parole violation had been issued by the Illinois Department of Corrections. He remains in custody pending a detention hearing Friday.