Chicken shack owner acquitted of drug charges

Though a Cook County judge recently declared him innocent, Chicago Heights police maintain the 34-year-old owner of Spanky's Grill used to sell drugs out of his restaurant.

Brandon Johnson, of Park Forest, was charged with felony marijuana possession after police in January 2009 found three pounds of marijuana, $7,000 cash, a loaded handgun and drug-packaging paraphernalia inside his office at Spanky's Grill, 322 W. 14th St.




After a bench trial, Cook County Judge Frank G. Zelezinski found Johnson innocent of the charges Feb. 10 at the Cook County courthouse in Markham.

"This whole situation was dumb," Johnson said. "In the end, everything was proven wrong. My business was doing so good, I was a target."

But Chicago Heights Police Chief Michael Camilli said Johnson was someone police suspected of selling more than just hot wings.

"I will tell you, (the judge) got it wrong this time," Camilli said, adding the case against Johnson fell apart when a witness failed to testify in court. "I still think (Johnson) got lucky."

Before the drug bust, Johnson owned two Spanky's Grill restaurants in Chicago Heights - the one on 14th Street and the other at 109 S. Halsted St., which still is open. He also franchised out a Spanky's Grill at 8510 S. Ashland Ave., Chicago. It has closed.

The Chicago Heights code enforcement department would not renew the business license for Johnson's restaurant off 14th Street after his arrest, Camilli said. The license was not renewed because police found marijuana on the property, causing him to shut down his business.

Johnson lamented the loss of the restaurant, claiming it brought him the most money of all three restaurants.

Now having been found innocent, Johnson said he wants to open more restaurants and give back to the community by forming a children's football league.

"I want my good name restored, and I want to be looked upon as the hard worker I am and the young businessman I am," he said. "I want Spanky's Grill known as a restaurant with quality food and good prices."

http://www.suntimes.com/news/24-7/2072924,022810chdrugs.article