Police make two drug arrests

On Thursday, Aug. 11, an investigation by the Belvidere/Boone County Metro Narcotics Unit, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Task Force, and Belvidere Police Patrol Officers and K-9 Unit, resulted in the arrest of a Rockford resident and a Belvidere resident on felony drug charges.

Dale E. Conley, 37, of Rockford, was charged with four counts of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance (heroin) within 1,000 feet of a senior citizen complex – (class one felony).  Conley remains in the custody of the Boone County Jail with no bond.

Jessica Brito, 26, of Belvidere, was charged with three counts unlawful delivery of a controlled substance (heroin) within 1,000 feet of a senior citizen complex – (class one felony).  Brito remains in the custody of the Boone County Jail with no bond.

On Thursday Aug. 11, following a two month regional drug investigation, the Belvidere/Boone County Metro Narcotics Unit and the Rockford DEA Task Force, assisted by Belvidere Police Officers and K-9 Unit, arrested Conley on four counts of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance (heroin) within 1,000 feet of a senior citizen complex.

Brito was arrested on three counts of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance (heroin) within 1,000 feet of a senior citizen complex.  Police seized heroin, Suboxone, a digital scale, United States currency, and a vehicle.

The investigation is ongoing and additional charges are possible.  Each class one felony is punishable by four to 15 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.