A Repeat Offender Faces New Gun and Narcotics Charges
Kentrell F. Taylor, a five-time convicted felon, is facing new charges after Chicago police spotted a firearm and a duffel bag filled with drugs in his parked car in North Center.
Three years ago, Taylor was arrested for being found naked in a stranger’s Lakeview apartment with a gun and drugs in a backpack. He served a four-year sentence for that incident but completed parole in March, less than three years after his arrest.
The recent charges filed against Taylor are eerily similar to his past offenses. On April 10, police observed him engaging in a hand-to-hand transaction on North Lincoln Avenue. He was later seen leaving the scene in a BMW registered to his address, displaying a West Virginia temporary tag.
A week later, officers spotted Taylor again at the same location, abandoning his BMW. Upon inspection of the vehicle, a loaded firearm and a duffel bag containing methamphetamine, heroin, MDMA, and GHB were found. A search warrant was obtained, and the car was impounded.
Despite reclaiming his BMW from the city, Taylor was arrested again on May 15 while driving the vehicle. During a detention hearing, his defense attorney mentioned that Taylor works in construction, is married with two children, and denies all allegations, including any affiliation with the Latin King street gang.
Judge John Hock granted the state’s detention petition, ordering Taylor to remain in jail pending trial. Taylor’s criminal history includes previous convictions for methamphetamine delivery, gun possession, retail theft, felon with a firearm, illegal gun possession, and forgery, along with multiple misdemeanor convictions.
It is evident that Taylor’s run-ins with the law have been recurrent, and his latest arrest raises concerns about his involvement in criminal activities despite claiming to be turning his life around.
