A North Chicago man has pled guilty to federal fentanyl distribution charges following an undercover investigation conducted by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Group.
In 2024, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Group (SIG), a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA)-funded task force, initiated an investigation into potential fentanyl sales in collaboration with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Chicago Field Division. At that time, SIG detectives received information that Alfredo E. Rollins, 47, of North Chicago, was selling heroin laced with fentanyl in Lake County.
SIG detectives conducted an undercover operation in which they purchased more than 115 grams of a powder substance containing fentanyl and nearly 2,000 pills containing fentanyl from Rollins. Following the undercover purchases, Rollins was arrested by SIG detectives while inside his vehicle in North Chicago. At the time of his arrest, Rollins was found to be in possession of more than 65 baggies of cannabis packaged for distribution. A subsequent search of his residence revealed more than two pounds of cannabis.
A federal arrest warrant was later issued for Rollins, and he was taken into federal custody in June of 2025. On December 16, 2025, Rollins pled guilty to distribution of more than 40 grams of fentanyl and was sentenced to five years in federal prison.
“Yet again, our Special Investigations Group investigated and arrested a dangerous offender who was selling a deadly drug in Lake County. I cannot stress enough that SIG, comprised of federal and local law enforcement, investigates and arrests some of the worst drug traffickers in the region. Every year, they prevent deaths from both firearms and drugs, while also making significant strides in combating human trafficking. I am extremely proud of the work of SIG, thankful for our strong law enforcement partnerships throughout the area, and grateful for all of the dedicated staff of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.”
— Lake County Sheriff John Idleburg
Christopher C. Amon, ATF Chicago Field Division Special Agent in Charge said, “Fentanyl poses a grave threat to our society. Each trafficker arrested reduces the threat to the communities we are sworn to protect. ATF remains firmly committed to partnering with the Lake County SIG and our federal partners to continue disrupting firearm trafficking networks, the distribution of fentanyl, as well as other dangerous drugs within our communities.”
Rollins remains in federal custody.
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