Park City Man Faces Charges In Lake Villa Woman's Fatal Overdose

LAKE COUNTY, IL — A Park City man was arrested by detectives with the Lake County Sheriff's Special Investigations Group Tuesday as a result of an investigation into a Lake Villa woman's fatal overdose. According to a news release from the sheriff's office, 41-year-old Earl Epps, of the 3500 block of Kehm Boulevard, was arrested on accusations of drug-induced homicide.

At 6:45 p.m., Oct. 4, sheriff's office deputies were called to a home in the 37000 block of Route 83, unincorporated Lake Villa, for an opioid overdose, the sheriff's office said. Tara Garcia, 47, was overdosing in her home and was taken to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville, where she was pronounced dead after arriving, according to the news release.

According to the sheriff's office, thorough investigation revealed Garcia bought what she believed was heroin from Epps, shortly before overdosing. Evidence recovered at the scene showed she bought a substance containing a combination of heroin and fentanyl, the sheriff's office said, adding that Garcia ingested the substance, she suffered an overdose, causing her to go unconscious. An autopsy conducted on Garcia by the Lake County Coroner's office determined she ingested fentanyl, according to the news release.

The Lake County State’s Attorney’s office approved felony drug induced homicide, unlawful delivery of a controlled substance and witness intimidation charges against Epps, the release said.

“We again see the tragic effects of the opioid crisis we’re fighting here in Lake County and at a national level," Sheriff John Idleburg said, in the release. "There is no doubt addiction is a disease, and we continue to do everything we can for those suffering addictions, while holding drug pushers accountable.”

Epps remains at the Lake County Jail on $1,000,000 bail, and is expected in court on Monday.

Patch will update this story as new information becomes available.