Springfield, Illinois – Paul Davis – AKA “Gush” has been charged federally in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois with multiple counts of intentionally distributing a substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine.
At this time, all documents detailing all of the times Davis has sold drugs to a confidential source(s) was not made available to us. However, there is one document that we did come across where the feds did reveal an undercover sale.
In October 2020, DEA agents, along with The Illinois State Police (ISP), Central Illinois Enforcement Croup (CIEG) and the Springfield Police Department (SPD) developed a confidential source who provided detailed information regarding Paul Davis, Christoper Wallace and James Cooper and their ongoing criminal narcotics enterprise. The confidential source provided information and conducted controlled purchases of cocaine from Davis and engaged into phone conversation with Davis regarding the sale of narcotics.
The confidential informant was cooperating with law enforcement in exchange for consideration on potential criminal drug charges and has been paid $200 for their cooperation.
Little is known to us (Springfield Leaks) at this time about this particular confidential source. But, what is known is that the confidential source has prior convictions for assault, narcotics and traffic related offenses.
Starting on October 8, 2020, members of the DEA, SRO, ISP CIEG, The Illinois State Police Air Operations, and the Springfield Police Department conducted a controlled purchase of approximately 126.5 grams of cocaine from a known Boss Playa “BP” gang member, Paul “Gush” Davis. The purchase of the cocaine was $7,000.
Prior to the controlled drug buy, agents established a surveillance in the area of Davis apartment, which is located in the 1500 block of Seven Pines Drive.
Prior to the controlled drug buy, the confidential source’s vehicle and persons was searched for contraband… None found. The confidential source then placed a recorded telephone call to Davis’ cell phone. The call went to voice mail, but a short time later Davis called the confidential source back. During the conversation with Davis, the confidential source told Davis that they were wanting to by 4 and a half ounces of cocaine. Davis agreed. The confidential source and Davis agreed to meet a a public location near the intersection of West Wabash and Veterans Parkway.
The confidential source was provided with $7,000 Official Advanced Fund (OAF) for the controlled drug buy. The confidential source was also equipped with covert audio/video recording devices.
Shortly, after being equipped with the convert audio/video recording devices, the confidential source received a call from Davis who told the source that he would be on his way. A short time later, after the call, a Springfield Police Officer, who was conducting surveillance at the intersection of W. Wabash Ave. and Chatham Rd., observed Davis in a Jeep Gladiator, which was a rental vehicle. The Jeep turned southbound on Chatham Road from West Wabash Ave. That same jeep was also observed by agents on October 4, 2020, parked in the area of the 1500 block of Seven Pines Road. The registration of the Jeep was checked and the Jeep, which was a rental vehicle, showed to be rented by Davis.
While the Springfield Police Officer observed Davis’ Jeep Gladiator turn on Chatham Rd., The Illinois State Police Air Ops also observed Davis’ rental Jeep southbound on Chatham Road. The Air Ops kept Davis’ Jeep under surveillance and observed the vehicle arrive at 2701 Fox Run Apartment and park in the front of the building. The ISP Air Ops observed a male waring a white shirt exit the jeep and walk toward the apartment building. Within a few minutes ISP Air Ops observed the male, who was wearing a white shirt, get into the Jeep and back out of the parking spot. ISP Air Ops kept the Jeep under constant surveillance and observed the Jeep arrive in the area of the arranged meet location at W. Wabash Ave and Veterans Parkway.
A DEA agent observed Davis exit the Jeep and get into the Confidential Source’s vehicle. Agents were able to hear the conversation between Davis and the confidential source in “real time.” Davis and the confidential source talked about the price of the cocaine and discussed that they weren’t making very much money from it. After the discussion, Davis returned this his vehicle and left. ISP Air Ops continued to monitor Davis’ vehicle and Davis was followed going back to the Fox run apartment after making a stop at a fast food restaurant. Surveillance was eventually terminated by the ISP Air Ops.
According to federal charging documents, a review of the covert audio/video recording showed Davis meeting with the confidential source and providing him/her with cocaine. The cocaine was field tested and tested positive for the presence of cocaine. The weight of the cocaine was approximately 126.50 grams, with packaging.
At this time, according to records, Davis is still in custody and is being represented by Springfield Attorney James Elmore.
Stay tuned to Springfield Leaks as we sort though these documents and make them immediately available to our readers. More is coming.