Barrington Man Sentenced to 12 Years for Fentanyl-Laced Drug Overdose Death

Luke Napolitano sold drugs across the Chicagoland area, leading to the death of a 20-year-old Lake Barrington resident.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 10:13pm

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A 23-year-old Barrington man, Luke G. Napolitano, has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for selling fentanyl-laced drugs that resulted in the overdose death of a 20-year-old Lake Barrington resident, Joshua L. Burks, in December 2022. Napolitano was convicted of drug-induced homicide and unlawful delivery of a controlled substance after an investigation by the Lake County Sheriff's Office and the Illinois Attorney General's Office.

Why it matters

Fentanyl-related overdoses have become a major public health crisis in Illinois, with the powerful synthetic opioid contributing to a rising number of drug-related deaths. This case highlights the efforts by law enforcement to hold drug dealers accountable for selling deadly narcotics that devastate local communities.

The details

Detectives determined that Napolitano had been selling drugs, including fentanyl-laced substances, throughout the Chicagoland area in Lake, DuPage and Cook counties. They linked Napolitano to Burks' overdose death after finding the two had been communicating. A statewide grand jury indicted Napolitano on charges of drug-induced homicide and unlawful delivery of a controlled substance.

  • On December 1, 2022, the Lake County Sheriff's Office responded to a residence in Lake Barrington for a death investigation.
  • On June 9, 2023, a statewide grand jury issued an indictment charging Napolitano.
  • In April 2025, a Lake County jury found Napolitano guilty of the charges.
  • On Monday, a Lake County judge sentenced Napolitano to 12 years in prison.

The players

Luke G. Napolitano

A 23-year-old Barrington man convicted of drug-induced homicide and unlawful delivery of a controlled substance for selling fentanyl-laced drugs that led to a 20-year-old's overdose death.

Joshua L. Burks

A 20-year-old Lake Barrington resident who died of a drug overdose after purchasing fentanyl-laced drugs from Napolitano.

John Idleburg

The Lake County Sheriff who said drug traffickers "prey on those who are vulnerable and struggling with addiction" and that there is "no place in our society for drug pushers who profit from other's struggles."

Kwame Raoul

The Illinois Attorney General who prosecuted Napolitano on the drug-induced homicide charges and said fentanyl-laced drugs have "devastated Illinois families and communities."

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What they’re saying

“Drug traffickers, like this man, prey on those who are vulnerable and struggling with addiction. There is no place in our society for drug pushers who profit from other's struggles.”

— John Idleburg, Lake County Sheriff

“While this sentence in no way makes up for the loss felt by the family of Joshua Burks, it is my hope that it provides some healing and relief. Fentanyl-laced drugs have devastated Illinois families and communities, and I will continue to use my authority to hold individuals accountable for distributing fentanyl-laced drugs.”

— Kwame Raoul, Illinois Attorney General

What’s next

Napolitano's 12-year sentence will be served consecutively to a separate 10-year sentence he received for selling fentanyl to an undercover officer.

The takeaway

This case underscores the devastating impact of the opioid crisis, particularly the rise of fentanyl-laced drugs, and the efforts by law enforcement to crack down on drug dealers who profit from vulnerable individuals struggling with addiction.