Inaugurate Belvidere/Boone Metro Narcotics Unit makes first arrest

BELVIDERE – On Monday, Oct. 12, a multi-jurisdictional investigation by the newly commissioned Belvidere/Boone County Metro Narcotics Unit, Illinois State Police District 16, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Task Force and Rockford Police Department resulted in the arrest of two Rockford Residents on felony drug charges.

Jacob Baxter, 21, of Rockford, and Emma Koyl, 20, of Rockford, were each charged with one count of Unlawful Possession With Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance – psilocybin mushrooms 30 to 200 grams (Class One Felony) and one count of Unlawful Possession With Intent to Deliver Cannabis 30 to 500 grams (Class Three Felony). Baxter and Koyl remain in the custody of the Boone County Jail with no bond.

On Monday, Oct. 12, during a multi-jurisdictional drug investigation, led by the Belvidere/Boone Metro Narcotics Unit, an Illinois State Police – District 16 K-9 Unit conducted a traffic stop on I-90 in Belvidere, Boone County, resulting in the seizure of cannabis, psilocybin mushrooms, United States currency and a vehicle.

On Monday, Oct. 12, the Belvidere/Boone County Metro Narcotics Unit, assisted by the DEA Task Force and Rockford Police Department, executed a search warrant in the 2100 block of Wisteria Lane, Rockford, Ill. Additional quantities of cannabis, psilocybin mushrooms, a scale, packaging materials and U.S. Currency were seized at the residence.

The investigation is ongoing and additional charges are possible.   A Class One Felony is punishable by four to 15 years in the Department of Corrections. A Class Three Felony is punishable by two to five years in the Department of Corrections.

The Belvidere/Boone County Metro Narcotics Unit encourages anyone having additional information regarding narcotic trafficking or other criminal activity to call the Belvidere/Boone County Metro Narcotics Unit at (815) 544-2135 or Crime Stoppers at (815) 547-7867.

Members of the public are reminded that these are only charges and are not proof of the defendant’s guilt. Every defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the State’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.