Barrington Man Faces Homicide Charges In Fentanyl Overdose Death: AG

BARRINGTON, IL — A 20-year-old Barrington man faces homicide charges after prosecutors said that he allegedly supplied a Lake Barrington man with drugs laced with fentanyl on which the victim then overdosed on that led to his death.

Luke G. Napolitano was charged with drug-induced homicide on Tuesday as well as with unlawful delivery of a controlled substance, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul said. Napolitano is currently being held in the Cook County Jail on unrelated drug charges.

Raoul’s office alleges that in December of 2022, Napolitano sold Joshua Burks drugs laced with fentanyl that caused his death. During their investigation, officials with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office determined Napolitano was also selling drugs in Cook and DuPage counties.

Burks was 20 years old at the time of his death.

“Fentanyl-laced drugs are incredibly dangerous and continue to wreak havoc in communities across our country,” Raoul said. “I am absolutely committed to holding individuals accountable for distributing fentanyl-laced drugs.”

A statewide grand jury issued an indictment against Napolitano on June 9, and Lee County Judge Matthew Klahn issued an arrest warrant for Napolitano and set his bond at $1 million.

“Drug traffickers, like this man, prey on those who are vulnerable and struggling with addiction. There is no place in our society for drug pushers who profit from other’s struggles,” Lake County Sheriff John Idleburg said. I am grateful for the work of our staff and their collaboration with colleagues from across the region. It is our hope that these charges begin to bring closure to the victim’s family.”

If convicted, Napolitano faces up to 30 years in prison on the drug-induced homicide charge and up to seven years in prison for the unlawful delivery charges.