2 Batavia Men Charged In Woman's Overdose Death

On Friday, the Kane County State’s Attorney announced criminal charges against four men for the February overdose death of a Sugar Grove Township woman.

The four are accused of providing lethal narcotics to Ashley M. Mastel on Feb. 20, 2017. The 21-year-old woman died at her home in unincorporated Sugar Grove the next day. Authorities determined that her death was the result of fentanyl intoxication. Fentanyl is often added to heroin. It is 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine.

Each of the following men have been charged with drug-induced homicide:

Johnny L. Williams, 56, from St. Charles;

Neal R. Crowder, 26, Batavia;

Joseph Tortorella, 26, Batavia;

Eric P. Anthony, 21, St. Charles;

Each suspect faces six to 30 years in prison, if convicted. The Kane County Sheriff’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case.

A charge is merely an accusation of the crime, not a finding of guilt.

Photographs provided by the Kane County State’s Attorney Office