Wauconda man jailed after park sale

McHenry County prosecutors have charged a Wauconda resident with causing a death through the sale of cocaine, a case that hinges on coded text messages and a cash exchange at a local park. David W. Johnson, 70, faces two felony charges, including drug-induced homicide and delivery of a controlled substance.

The investigation began in December 2025 when 68-year-old Scott Torpe was found dead. A toxicology report later attributed his death to cocaine toxicity. Detectives noted that Torpe had purchased the drug from Johnson two days prior to his death. The sales were coordinated using specific code words, such as "parts" and "tinkerbell," which appeared in communications between Torpe, his wife, and Johnson.

Investigators recovered Torpe's phone and found messages to a contact named "Dave" that traced back to Johnson. Torpe asked his wife to withdraw cash for "parts" just days before his death. Cell site data placed Johnson and Torpe's wife at the same location following one of these withdrawals. The wife later told detectives she met Johnson at a park in Cary on December 17 and handed him $100 for the cocaine intended for her husband.

A judge issued an arrest warrant for Johnson on October 26. Wauconda police officers found him on Friday. At the time of his arrest, he was carrying approximately two grams of cocaine and two cell phones. He appeared in Initial Appearance Court on Saturday, where Judge Mary Nader granted a petition to hold him without bond.

Nader cited Johnson's lack of effort to stop selling the drug as a primary reason for his detention. "He shows absolutely no desire to not continue to pedal harmful controlled substances," Nader said. She noted that Torpe was a friend of Johnson and that Johnson was still driving the area with enough product to deliver more. The judge also rejected home confinement, arguing Johnson could sell from his residence or during his two allowed days off.

Johnson has a prior conviction from 2006 for possessing more than 900 grams of cocaine. State’s Attorney Randi Freese said the county continues to pursue these cases to hold dealers accountable for the lives lost. "Every prosecution sends a powerful warning: Dealing deadly drugs in our community carries consequences far beyond a drug charge," Freese said. Johnson is set to return to court on November 4.

The case highlights the legal process in McHenry County for drug-related deaths, where the sale of a small amount of cocaine can result in a Class X felony charge. The prosecution relies on digital evidence and witness testimony to link the seller directly to the victim's fatal ingestion.