DuPage County, IL – A Berkeley man faces prison time after being found guilty of supplying the fatal dose of illegal narcotics to a Darien resident, according to DuPage County officials.
According to the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office, Willie Woodgett, 38, was convicted in a bench trial that concluded July 16, 2025, on charges of Drug Induced Homicide (Class X Felony) and Manufacture/Delivery of a Controlled Substance – Fentanyl (Class 2 Felony). The verdict followed a three-day trial, and Woodgett was immediately taken into custody on an arrest warrant. Authorities stated he has been held without pre-trial release at the DuPage County Jail since July 30, 2024.
The case stems from an incident on April 1, 2023, when Darien police responded to a home on a report of an unconscious male. The victim, later identified as Michael Rice, was pronounced dead the next day. According to police and court records, the cause of death was determined to be combined drug toxicity involving fentanyl, ethanol, diphenhydramine, alprazolam, xylazine, and buprenorphine. Investigation revealed that Rice had arranged to receive illegal narcotics from Woodgett on March 30, 2023. Authorities allege Woodgett delivered the drugs to Rice’s home late that evening, after which Rice used the narcotics and passed away from an overdose.
State’s Attorney Robert Berlin said in a statement, “Judge Guerin’s verdict today sends the unmistakable message that if you supply narcotics that cause the death of another, you will be identified, charged, prosecuted and, if found guilty, face a significant amount of time behind bars.” Berlin also commended the efforts of the Darien Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Woodgett’s next court appearance is set for August 15, 2025, for sentencing procedures and the filing of post-trial motions.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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