Arrests in Coles County for Drug-Induced Homicide

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Published on May 29 2020 6:09 am
Last Updated on May 29 2020 7:36 am
Written by Greg Sapp

Mattoon police arrested Jada B. Hart, 23 of Mattoon on Thursday at 12:15 p.m. The arrest occurred at the MPD. Cody J. Parsons, 30 of Mattoon, was also arrested in the 900 block of Lincoln Avenue in Charleston at about 4:45 p.m. Both suspects were charged with Delivery of a Controlled Substance and Drug Induced Homicide. The incident began at 10:05 a.m. when Mattoon police were dispatched to the 1800 block of S. 9th street in regards to an unresponsive male subject. The 34 year old man was found to be deceased and is believed to have died from an overdose of Heroin.

(PARSONS)

An investigation commenced that led to the arrests of Hart and Parsons. The charges allege that Hart arranged for the decedent to purchase heroin from Parsons and actively helped facilitate the deal by handling the communications, transportation, and funneling of drugs and money between Parsons and the decedent. The charges against Parsons allege that he has been engaged in the sale of controlled substances and that he personally sold the heroin that is believed to have killed the decedent.

Cody J. Parsons has extensive criminal history with crimes of violence and was actually paroled from prison in March 2020 after serving 2 years in the IDOC for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. Parsons cut off the ankle bracelet used to monitor him and the Illinois Department of Corrections issued a parole hold warrant of arrest for Parsons. Mattoon police located and arrested Parsons for said parole hold warrant on May 13th. However, for reasons yet to be determined, the IDOC declined to place Parsons back in prison and allowed him to remain out of jail on parole at that time.

(HART)

Search warrants were served at residences in Mattoon and Charleston as part of the investigation. Firearm ammunition, methamphetamine, heroin, and cash were seized.

Both suspects were taken to the Coles County Jail.

Mattoon police were assisted by the members of the Charleston Police Department, the Coles County State’s Attorney’s Office and Coroner’s Office during the course of this investigation.