Winnebago County State’s Attorney Joe Bruscato, along with Rockford Police, the DEA, and the National Guard, were all on hand on Thursday for the announcement of 29 arrests which were made in a massive drug ring bust, the culmination of an investigation that dates back to 2014.

Seized in the bust was 17,867 grams of cocaine, worth more than $1.7 million; 3,244 grams of marijuana, worth more than $16,000; as well as 72 cannabis plants; 360 Hyrocodone pills, worth almost $3,000; eight firearms; $243,000 in cash; $50,000 worth of jewelry; and six vehicles.

Included in the arrest are some familiar names, including former Hononegah head football coach and teacher, Tim Sughroue, for possession of painkillers. The owner of US Cleaners Andrew Bowen is charged with unlawful criminal drug conspiracy. Samuel Castree, part owner of Rock Valley Industries, faces the same charge as Bowen. They are just a few of the more than two dozen now arrested after an investigation over a year and a half in the works.
 

Bruscato said Thursday, “This is a moment that we can define as a time that we took a substantial step in dealing with the drug trade and crime in this community.”

Winnebago County officials called the bust one of the largest they’ve ever seen.

They provided a board showing each of the defendants and how the drug ring was organized, and you can see that here.

Here is a list of names and charges provided by the State’s Attorney’s Office:

Delivery Of Controlled Substance And Possession With Intent To Deliver
Harl Hitch, 50
Thomas Lester, 56
William Parson, Jr., 44
Micheal Powless, 51

Delivery Of A Controlled Substance
Richard Deppe, 57
Timothy Sugrhoue, 48
Torry Swanson, 48

Delivery Of Cannabis And Possession With Intent To Deliver Cannabis
Randy Livingston, 56

Possession With Intent To Deliver
Stephen Martin, 57
Daniel Opsahl, 36
Jerry Pearson, 40
Esaul Rivas, 23
Regulo Rodriguez, 46

Possession Of Cannabis
Keith Livingston, 42

Unlawful Criminal Drug Conspiracy
Andrew Bowen, 50
John Bowler, 49
Samuel C. Castree, 55
Thomas Etier, 56
Thomas Greeny, 50
Douglas Hauser, 56
Daniel Hauser, 55
Thomas Hindes, Jr., 54
David Johnson, 63
Tamberlyn Keefauver, 48
Randall Keller, 61
Christopher Payne, 55
Randy Stupka, 55
Henry Torchia, Jr., 51
George Torgler, 65