When Ben Baker stepped out of a downstate prison two years ago after more than a decade behind bars, he spoke of his long road to freedom, and how good it felt that someone had finally believed his story.
“It’s good to be free,” Baker declared. “I guess slow justice is better than no justice.”
Baker was the first of what are now dozens of exonerated individuals, who even prosecutors agree were almost certainly framed by a group of rogue police officers at the Ida B. Wells housing project on Chicago’s south side.
Now, Baker and another exoneree, Jamar Lewis, are back in jail, accused of selling heroin and other drugs in a sweeping undercover federal investigation.
Documents unsealed in federal court say Baker was caught on undercover tapes at least three times last year selling heroin at his south side home, and a fourth incident where he allegedly sold fentanyl, an especially dangerous opioid.
Lewis was captured on one undercover tape allegedly trafficking a kilo of heroin. In one undercover recording, he seems to suggest that a woman suspected of ratting out his drug operation may be targeted for violence.
“That (expletive) is ground for murder...you know what I’m saying,” Lewis allegedly told an associate. “You finna get killed!”
Baker and Lewis are part of a group of men, and at least one woman, who insisted they had been framed by a tactical team headed up by Sgt. Ronald Watts. Watts was eventually arrested, and along with a fellow officer Kallat Mohammed did time himself. But the remaining members of the team remained on the Chicago police force, and most have been assigned desk duty while the alleged wrongdoing is investigated.
Baker is due in court for a bond hearing Thursday. Lewis will appear on Friday.
