Man Found Guilty of Drug-Induced Homicide in Overdose Death of Wheaton Man

A DuPage Couny judge found a 25-year-old man guilty of drug-induced homicide for his role in the heroin overdose death of Stephen Briston of Wheaton, according to a DuPage County State's Attorney press release. 

Malcolm Brown was found guilty Monday morning following a three-day bench trial. Brown, a suspected Chicago drug dealer, now faces between six and 30 years in prison, according to the Daily Herald. 

Brown is accused of supplying heroin to an acquaintance of Briston's. The heroin then got passed onto Briston who ingested it on July 27, according to the news release.

Briston, 38, was found dead in the bathroom of a Carol Stream apartment the following day, according to the Daily Herald. It was later determined he died of a heroin overdose.

An investigation into Briston’s death led authorities to Brown who was taken into custody the same day. He has remained in custody at the DuPage County Jail on a $5 million bail.

Brown’s next court appearance is scheduled for April 21 for return of the pre-sentencing report.

DuPage County had 46 heroin deaths last year, said DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert B. Berlin. 

"These numbers are simply astounding. People have got to realize that heroin is an incredibly dangerous drug that can kill an otherwise healthy person with just one use," Berlin said in the news release.