Between last Thanksgiving and June 29, Chicago police arrested Johnny Allen four times for allegedly selling drugs in a West Side neighborhood. Prosecutors dropped the charges every time. Now, Allen is charged with attempted murder after reportedly shooting a man in the same neighborhood for refusing to declare a gang allegiance.
In an unrelated case, police arrested another man for having a gun in a car last February. Prosecutors dropped the charges three months later. That man is now charged with shooting his friend while handling another weapon.
‘No background’
On November 28, police arrested Johnny Allen for allegedly distributing oxycodone on the 300 block of South Pulaski. Prosecutors dropped the charges during Allen’s bond hearing the next day.
Less than two months later, on January 13, a man told police that Allen and two other men robbed him at gunpoint of $100 cash and a gold watch on the 4000 block of West Wilcox. Cops said Allen was carrying eleven oxycodone pills, 20 Xanax pills, a baggie of heroin, and ten synthetic heroin pills when they arrested him.
The victim decided not to pursue robbery charges after cops gave him his property back, according to a CPD report. But Allen was charged with four felony narcotics counts. Prosecutors dropped all of the charges on February 5, according to court records.
Then, on June 11, police allegedly saw Allen conduct a hand-to-hand drug transaction on the 4000 block of West Madison. They found 40 suspected oxycodone pills in his possession when they arrested him, according to their report.
Prosecutors dropped the charges against Allen during his bond court hearing the next day.
Just 16 days later, Allen was arrested again. Police said he twice sold heroin to undercover officers. Prosecutors dropped those charges on August 30.
Then, on October 1, a 32-year-old man who recently got out of prison passed Allen and another man as he was on his way to get a haircut, according to prosecutors. Allen allegedly asked the man if he was on Allen’s side in an ongoing gang war.
The recently-paroled man said he did not want to be involved because he just got out of the penitentiary and said he didn’t have any problems with anyone and didn’t want to pick sides.
“If you’re not an ally, then you’re an enemy,” Allen allegedly replied.
The next day, the victim was again walking on the 4000 block of West Monroe — within a block or two of where Allen has been repeatedly arrested — when he allegedly saw Allen and another man standing next to a car, pointing guns at him.
The men opened fire, striking the victim in his torso, leg, and buttocks, prosecutors said. Both gunmen ran away, but the victim knew them from the neighborhood and provided their names to police, according to prosecutors.
Officers knew precisely where to look for Allen — on the street near Madison and Pulaski. They found him in the 3900 block of West Madison and arrested him.
As Assistant State’s Attorney Darryl Auguste presented attempted murder charges against Allen during a bond court hearing last week, he told Judge John Lyke that Allen has “no publishable background.”
Judge John Lyke noted that Allen has “no adult history or juvenile history” but ordered him held without bail anyway.
‘An accident’
When police told Terryon Adams to step out of his car during a traffic stop on February 25, they asked if he had any guns with him.
He allegedly said, “yes.” Cops found a loaded revolver in his right jacket pocket, they said.
“I told you I got it,” Adams allegedly said after they recovered the weapon.
Prosecutors initially charged the 20-year-old with felony unlawful use of a weapon. But they dropped the case on May 26, court records show.
Adams apparently secured another gun since then.
On October 10, while handling a firearm in a backyard with some friends, Adams allegedly shot a 17-year-old. The victim and Adams both told police the shooting was an accident, prosecutors said.
According to statements made during Adams ‘ bond hearing, the teen may need surgery to repair damage to his wrist and leg.
Prosecutors refused to charge him with aggravated battery by discharging a firearm, according to a CPD report. He is also not charged with illegally possessing a gun. Instead, he’s charged with reckless discharge of a firearm.
Judge Lyke released him on his own recognizance after a prosecutor told him that Adams had “no publishable background.”
Our exclusive and original reporting is 100% reader-funded. Please make a contribution to our operating fund or purchase a subscription today.