The Lake County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Group (SIG), a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) funded task force, concluded an investigation that resulted in the arrest of a North Chicago resident accused of drug trafficking.
SIG began the investigation after developing information that Delwin L. Hodge, 27, of the 2100 block of Wright Avenue, North Chicago, was selling narcotics. SIG detectives initiated an undercover operation and discovered Hodge was selling methamphetamine in Lake County.
During the operations, Hodge sold over 200 grams of methamphetamine to undercover detectives. Following the undercover operations, SIG detectives obtained a search warrant for Hodge’s residence. Members of SIG and Sheriff’s SWAT conducted the search warrant on July 31, 2025.
During a search of the residence, packaging materials for narcotics distribution were located in Hodge’s bedroom. It appears drugs were flushed down a toilet just prior to the entry of the SWAT Team. A firearm and ammunition were located inside the residence as well. As multiple people live at the residence, SIG detectives continue to investigate who the firearm belonged to.
SIG detectives noted Hodge was living and operating out of a home that also ran a daycare. The firearm located was not secured and accessible to children who were at the home for daycare services. DCFS was notified of the situation.
Detectives reviewed all of the circumstances with the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office who approved the following charges:
Three counts of Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute (Class X Felonies)
Two counts of Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance (Class 1 Felonies)
Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance (Class 4 Felony)
Endangering the Life/Welfare of a Child (Misdemeanor)
As Hodge was on parole, the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) issued a parole violation warrant for Hodge. Delwin’s parent correctional institution is Concordia; however, no sentencing information or conviction information was available from IDOC on Friday, August 1, 2025.
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.”
Hodge remains held pending an initial court hearing this morning. The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office intends to file a petition to detain Hodge in custody while awaiting trial.
All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
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