McHenry County Blog

A press release from the McHenry County Sheriff’s Department:

Outdoor Cannabis Grow Operation

McHenry County Sheriff’s Office announced today the seizure of approximately 2,000 cannabis sativa plants from a wooded area in unincorporated Hebron, Illinois. On May 11, 2013, Sheriff’s Deputies were called to the area of Nichols Rd. and Hillside Rd., Hebron for a trespassing complaint.

A concerned citizen had stumbled upon a campsite in the middle of the woods and startled two unidentified Hispanic males who then fled the area on foot.

Sheriff’s Deputies were unable to locate the offenders, but did locate two cleared out areas in the dense woods that were being prepared for the planting of this illicit crop.

The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit was called in to process the scene and recovered approximately 2,000 cannabis sativa seedlings, fertilizer, soil, hoses, food, water, and camping equipment.  Undersheriff Andrew Zinke estimates the street value of the plants at $1,000,000 (if harvested).

The Undersheriff would like to inform residents that as summer approaches, persons involved in growing cannabis head into rural areas to tend to crops of cannabis plants. In recent years the Narcotics Unit has recovered over 20,000 cannabis plants from outdoor cannabis grow operations. Typically these illicit crops are located in areas such as: swamps, corn fields, wooded areas, along rivers, and on rural rental properties with large acreages. Cannabis crops can be harvested as early as August and as late as the beginning of October.

Common indicators of outdoor cannabis grow operations include:

• Abandoned vehicles parked on side roads or trails
• People observed walking in remote areas for no apparent reason
• Bags of fertilizer, planting trays or chemicals located in remote areas
• Well trampled trails in wooded or swamp areas
• Cleared out areas in swamps, wooded areas or corn fields
• Numerous signs appear out of nowhere indicating “No Trespassing”

Be aware that in some cases outdoor cannabis grows are guarded or protected by “booby” traps. If discovered, contact law enforcement immediately.

Do not enter the grow location, turn around and immediately leave the area the same way you came in.
Residents are encouraged to contact your local law enforcement to report suspected narcotic activity and other suspicious activity. Those wishing to remain anonymous can contact McHenry County Crime Stoppers at 1
-800-762-7867 (STOP).

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Read about the 2008 unsolved marijuana plot on McHenry County Conservation District land here.

Read about the 2009 unsolved marijuana plot on McHenry County Conservation District land here.

A press release from State Senator Pam Althoff:

Springfield, Ill. – State Sen. Pamela Althoff (R-Crystal Lake) said last week the Senate passed a pension reform measure backed by the Senate President and acted on a number of other measures, including medical marijuana legislation, a bill to open the state’s system of education funding up to additional scrutiny and a measure creating the state-based health insurance exchange.

Pension Reform – Senate Bill 2404

On May 9, Senate President John Cullerton presented his pension reform legislation to the Senate, Senate Bill 2404, and chose to ignore Speaker Madigan’s pension proposal that already passed the House. President Cullerton’s measure passed with some bipartisan support.

Althoff voted in favor of the measure in order to keep the discussions of reform moving forward as she feels this is not the final version of reform.

“All stakeholders should be a part of the discussion for the pension reform solution,” Althoff said.

“Although the current form of Senate Bill 2404 does not produce the same savings as Speaker Madigan’s proposal, it does in fact save the state money.

“With that said, there is opposition to this bill and it is assumed that these issues will be taken up with other aspects of the Madigan proposal in the House.

“It is important that these discussions move forward and we achieve a solution that sustains our systems while protecting our retirees and workers.”

Rough estimates project Senate Bill 2404 will reduce the state’s pension payments in the upcoming fiscal year by $850 million, and would save a total of $46 billion over the next 30 years. While the measure would not strengthen the current funding formula, it would guarantee the state could make the pension payments required under current law.

However, opponents of the bill say Senate Bill 2404 does not do enough to stabilize the pension systems or reduce the state’s pension liabilities, which have been estimated by some to exceed $100 billion. They noted that in comparison Senate Bill 1, the pension proposal being pushed by Speaker Michael Madigan, promises savings of about $150 billion over 30 years, including approximately $2 billion in 2015.

Supporters of the measure contend that it may be more likely to meet Constitutional muster through provisions which give employees a choice of benefits. But opponents said there was no guarantee that the proposal would be held constitutional and pointed out that a retired teachers organization has already pledged to challenge the measure in court.

Senate Bill 2404 would require employees in every system but the Judges choose one of three options:

• Keep their current Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA) on their future pension benefits – which is 3% compounded annually. Give up access to State health insurance when they retire and have future salary increases not count for their pension; or
• Keep the current COLA but agree to a three-year delay in that COLA. Retain retiree health insurance. Future raises would count toward pensions. Workers would be required to pay an additional one week’s pay each year toward their pensions; or
• Take a lower COLA (3% with no compounding) and agree to a two-year delay in that COLA. Employees could keep their retiree insurance and pensionable raises and not have to make extra contributions.

Retirees would be able to retain their current 3 percent compounded COLA, but must choose between:

• Keeping access to health insurance and having a 2-year freeze in their COLA; or
• Giving up health insurance with no COLA freeze.

The measure now moves to the House for consideration, although successful passage of it remains rather unlikely.

Education Funding Transparency – House Bill 3133

In addition to pension reform, Senate lawmakers turned their attention to other matters, including a bill sponsored by Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno that would open up the General State Aid formula to greater public scrutiny.

The Senate Executive Committee approved House Bill 3133, which would require the approximate amounts forecast to be paid for state Poverty Grants and Foundation Level Grants to be listed out in a state budget bill for easy review; the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law adjustment must also be listed separately.

The measure was introduced in response to a study conducted by Senate Republicans that revealed the General State Aid allocation has been listed as a lump sum in the state budget, which makes it difficult to decipher how state education funding is being allocated.

House Bill 3133 seeks to increase transparency of the state’s system of education funding, which will allow policy-makers to detect trends that—until very recently—had been concealed, and ensure that schools are being funded in the way the General State Aid formula was intended.

Medical Marijuana – House Bill 1

The Senate Executive Committee also advanced legislation that would allow for the dispensation of medical marijuana, a measure which has received significant attention from the media and the public. House Bill 1 would allow a patient who has been issued a registry identification card by the Department of Public Health to possess up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis during a 14 day period. The measure specifies certain qualifying diseases and illnesses, but does not include general eligibility for chronic pain or nausea.

The measure establishes criteria for medical marijuana cultivation centers and requires them to be registered by the Department of Agriculture. The Department of Agriculture may approve up to 22 licensed marijuana growers, but no more than one per State Police District.

House Bill 1 stipulates that a cultivation center would only be permitted to provide medical cannabis to dispensing organizations whose purpose is to dispense cannabis and paraphernalia to qualified patients. The dispensing organizations would have to register with the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR); IDFPR would be allowed to approve up to 60 dispensaries.

In response to safety concerns, the bill provides a framework to allow for employer regulation and discipline for use of cannabis in the workplace. It also stipulates that a patient may not drive while under the influence of medical cannabis. A provision was included in the bill allowing for field sobriety tests to be administered to a medical cannabis card holder suspected of driving under the influence, and states that evidence would be admissible in court.

State Health Insurance Exchange – House Bill 3227

The Senate also moved forward with implementation of a state-based health insurance exchange as part of the requirements of the federal Affordable Care Act, often referred to as “Obamacare.” The Senate Insurance Committee approved House Bill 3227, establishing and outlining the structure of the Illinois Health Benefits Exchange. It is projected plan enrollment will begin Oct. 1, 2014. The exchange will initially have two components, one serving individuals and one serving businesses with 50 or fewer employees. In 2016, the two parts could be merged and could also include employers with up to 100 employees.

Additional Senate Action

The Senate considered a number of additional measures both in Senate Committees and as a full body. You can catch up on legislation moving through the Senate, as well as measures that have been approved by the General Assembly, at the Senate Republican’s “Senate Action” page.

Governor Quinn Requests Federal Assistance for 11 Counties Affected by Flooding

On May 9, Gov. Quinn asked President Obama to declare 11 Illinois counties major disaster areas following the storms and heavy rainfall in April. If that request is approved, the residents in those counties will be eligible to apply for grants and low-interest federal loans to help recover from the historic flooding. The counties included in the request are Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Fulton, Grundy, Kane, Kendall, Lake, LaSalle, McHenry and Will.

An ordinance that would have changed possession of up to 15 grams of marijuana from a criminal misdemeanor offense to a petty offense evidenced by a ticket was removed from the table and then from a future agenda in its presented form.

No one disagreed that the issue should start from scratch with the new Police Chief, who will be sworn in in early January.

After the meeting, retiring Chief Dave Linder indicated that he didn’t mind. He said minor cannabis charges were being thrown out by judges and he presented the issue because it was on the leading edge of law enforcement.

Because the vote was 7-0 to kill the proposed ordinance, no hint was given at how the tie-breaker, newcomer Cameron Hubbard felt on the issue.

He replaced Carolyn Schofield, who favored the proposal.

See details on what other towns do here.

Cameron Hubbard was appointed to replace Carolyn Schofield when Schofield moved on to the McHenry County Board.

Now, at one of his first meetings, the newcomer will be faced with a vote to de-criminalize marijuana.

The agenda item is way down at the bottom, item number 20 out of 24.

Linder’s staff looked at other communities and found the following:

The amount of pot that Downers Grove, the town from whence Lindner’s replacement, Deputy Chief James R. Black now serves, allows 30 grams to be treated as a ticket offense, rather than a criminal offense.  Chicago’s figure is 10 grams.

The minimum fine under the proposed Crystal Lake ordinance would be $500.

If there were a number of tickets issued in 2013 similar to the arrests in 2011, the city would get $25,000 in new revenue.

Up popped an email from State Rep. Mike Tryon tonight.  Take a read and then take his poll:

Dear Friend,

I am hoping you will take a few minutes to participate in a survey, so I can better represent you in Springfield.

To date, 14 states have enacted laws that allow for the use of marijuana for medical purposes.

Legislation is pending in the Illinois House (House Bill 30) right now that would create a three-year pilot program for the compassionate use of medical cannabis (marijuana).

The bill would provide that when a person has been diagnosed by a physician as having a debilitating medical condition, and after a second opinion has been received that is in concurrence, the person and the person’s primary caregiver may be issued a registry identification card by the Department of Public Health.

The card would allow the ill individual to possess up to 2.5 ounces of usable cannabis during any 14-day period for use to alleviate the patient’s debilitating medical condition or symptoms associating with the debilitating medical condition.

Whereas some states that allow the medical use of canabis have loose requirements for who may use it, the Illinois bill provides strict restrictions for who may be considered a viable candidate for using medical canabis.

The following medical conditions are included in the list of debilitating conditions in HB 30:

• Cancer
• Glaucoma
• HIV
• Acquired immune deficiency syndrome
• Hepatitis C
• Multiple sclerosis
• Crohn’s disease
• The Agitation of Alzheimer’s disease

The bill includes a provision that would allow for the possession of a greater amount if the physicians deem that a greater amount would be needed to alleviate the condition or symptoms.

The Department of Public Health would serve as the enforcement and regulatory agency, and distribution of the medical cannabis would be limited to non-profit medical cannabis organizations (MCO), which would be registered with the State and limited to one MCO per Illinois Senate District (maximum of 59 distributors in Illinois).

Users of medical cannabis would not be allowed to drive a vehicle within six hours of using medical cannabis.

The Department of Public Health would have to submit a report annually to the General Assembly that would disclose the number of patients who utilized medical cannabis, the number of patients who applied for renewals for identification cards, the nature of the conditions that led to the issuance of cards and the number of registered nonprofit MCOs.

The following organizations have stated their support for HB30:

• Marijuana Policy Project
• AIDS Foundation of Chicago
• Illinois Nurses Association
• Protestants for the Common Good
• ACLU of Illinois
• National Association to Reform Marijuana Laws

The following organizations have stated their opposition to HB30:

• Chiefs of Police
• Illinois Sheriff’s Association
• Illinois Family Institute
• Illinois Police Association
• Concerned Christian Americans
• Illinois Drug Enforcement Officers Association
• Illinois Church Action on Alcohol & Addiction Problems

Again, I hope you will participate in the survey. I will compile this data early next week, so your prompt participation is appreciated. By clicking on the link below, you will enter the survey.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/QDKNQSV

Sincerely,

Michael W. Tryon
State Representative – District 64

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Optometrist State Rep. Joe Ebbesen (R-DeKalb) passed a bill to allow the use of marijuana to treat glaucoma in the 1970′s.

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Unlike most polls, one cannot discover the results after voting.

Earlier this afternoon, I spent a lot of time putting up the court documents from McHenry County Sheriff’s Sergeant John Koziol so you can read most of the details, if you wish.

Now that I have time to read it carefully, let me try to summarize what’s going on.

Koziol was assigned with a drug task force being coordinated with the Drug Enforcement Administration working out of Rockford.

The Special DEA Agent, unidentified in the court papers, asked for information about the Rita Corporation, located at the southeast corner of Route 31 and Three Oaks Road.

On July 9 of this year that agent contacted Koziol to tell him “a truck had been intercepted by DEA agents in Corpus
Christi, Texas, and that the truck had been carrying 4,000 pounds of cannabis destined for Rita Corporation in Crystal Lake, Illinois.”

He wanted information on the company.

Koziol summarized his rely:

“…told Special Agent Doe that Rita Corporation was

• owned by Brian Goode, a McHenry County Sheriffs Merit Commissioner,

and that Rita Corporation was a major financial and political supporter of

• Sheriff Keith Nygren and of
• McHenry County Undersheriff Andy Zinke.

“Affiant also told Special Agent Doe that the address for the Rita Corporation in Crystal Lake was the same address being used by Undersheriff Zinke’s political campaign committee for Zinke’s political campaign for the Office of Sheriff of McHenry County.”

When asked if he should share the information with Zinke, the DEA agent at first told him not to, then the next day when told General Orders required him to tell his superiors, “Special Agent Doe replied ‘yeah, go ahead and tell Andy [Undersheriff Zinke], it’s not going to matter.’”

Koziol then briefed his immediate boss, Detective Lt. James Popovits, and asked him to go with him to the Zinke briefing.  this was on July 11th.

After being briefed on the details of the investigation, Zinke stated “there is no way Brian [Goode] is involved.” Zinke also stated that a similar situation had happened ten years earlier at another of Rita Corporation’s locations in Forne, Texas. Zinke then stated that “Brian [Goode] would be happy to supply trucking routes and help with the next delivery going through.”

An appointment set for DEA Agent to brief Zinke on Friday, July 13th.

At that time, Undersheriff Zinke stated, “I’m having lunch with Brian [Goode] on Friday.” Zinke then stated ”I’m not going to say anything to him though,” which Kosiol understood “as an acknowledgement from Zinke that the information was to be kept confidential.  Affiant also confirmed to Zinke that the information was to be kept confidential,” the affidavit reads.

The next day, Thursday, July 12th the Sheriff’s Sergeant and the DEA agent met face·to·face and talked about he investigation of Rita Corporation.

The next paragraph is worth quoting in its entirety:

“Special Agent Doe informed Affiant that the investigation was bigger than had previously been thought, and that DEA in Texas had been working separate cases and didn’t connect them immediately. Special Agent Doe also informed Affiant that there were separate trucks going to Rita Corporation and to two other area locations, and that it was estimated that 60,000 pounds of cannabis had been shipped into the area over a ten month period.”

Friday morning Koziol went outside to try to get better a better cell phone connection with the DEA Agent to make sure his briefing of Zinke would occur at 11 before Zinke had lunch with Goode.

There he saw Zinke meeting with Goode.

The two approached Koziol.

After introducing Goode, Zinke said,

“I told Brian everything.”

In Koziol’s affidavit he states he “was stunned by Zinke’s admission that Zinke had disclosed confidential information concerning a DEA investigation to Brian Goode, the owner of Rita Corporation, the suspect corporation in a federal drug investigation. Affiant believed that the investigation had been compromised.”

Zinke then stated “yeah, this sounds like the same thing that happened ten years ago down in Forne, Texas.”

After getting through to the DEA agent and telling him what Zinke had done, the agent exclaimed,

“Are you f–king kidding me,”

and cancelled the meeting.

At the DEA agent’s instruction Koziol texted Zinke to remind him “that all information pertaining to the DEA’s investigation of the Rita Corporation was to be kept confidential,” the sworn statement says.

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The petition for a Special Prosecutor describes the powers of Undersheriff Zinke:

“The citizens of McHenry County have a compelling interest in insuring the integrity of the McHenry County Sheriffs Office. The Undersheriff of McHenry County is the second highest-ranking law enforcement official in the Sheriffs Office, and possesses extensive resources and broad powers of investigation and arrest.  The Undersheriff has the ability to initiate investigations into private citizens, to file criminal charges against private citizens, and to receive confidential information concerning the police operations in McHenry County. If misused, the Undersheriff’s extensive powers can significantly infringe upon the constitutional rights of the citizenry and can result in great hardship and constitutional deprivations.”

With its Home Rule powers, the Crystal Lake City Council signaled a majority is ready to change possession of up to thirty joints from a criminal to a civil offense.

Mayor Aaron Shepley led the opposition with Councilwomen Cathy Ferguson, a social worker, bringing her day job experience to bear.  Joining the three in opposition was Brett Hopkins, who said he saw it “in terms of black and white.”

The proposal, basically to decriminalize marijuana, following the example set by Chicago last month, was presented by Crystal Lake Police Chief Dave Linder after testimony from opponents and proponents.

His proposal “to allow Police to issue tickets for possession of small amounts of cannibals” was based on cost savings to the Department.

He pointed to Woodstock and McHenry as two local cities who had already gone the civil violation route.

Linder insisted his proposal “doesn’t represent softening of Police Department attitude toward drug enforcement,” but would “allow more flexibility…a more efficient option.”

Mayor Shepley came loaded for bear.

While complementing the Chief for bringing forth a proposal that the Chief thought would make law enforcement more efficient,” Shepley said that “at the end of the day what we have a a good old fashioned policy decision in a way that could have consequences.”

He then played show and tell, holding up two jars of parsley containing a total of 28 grams.  Possession of more than 30 grams would still be a felony, but in Crystal Lake, if the ordinance passes, the possessor would get a ticket.

“That is not a small amount,” Shepley argued.

Councilwoman Ellen Brady Mueller, one of three members of the CLCHS  Class of 1981, according to classmate Shepley (the other being Hopkins), said,”You could make a lot more thar 20 [joints].

“We’re not going to go soft on drugs,” Linder interjected.  “It gives the officer the availability to use another [option].  We do the same thing for alcohol, synthetic drugs [and] disorderly conduct.  In terms of time management, it’s not fiscally responsible [to arrest people for possession under 30 grams].”

Linder that a large percentage of misdemeanor charges were dismissed by the McHenry County State’s Attorney to which Shepley that perhaps Crystal Lake officials “need to have a discussion with the State’s Attorney’s Office.”

The Mayor also pointed out that the State had no criminal offense for synthetic drugs, so Crystal Lake’s passage of a ticketing offense was more stringent than state law, not less, as the issuing of tickets for marijuana would be.

Comparing ticketing for underage use of alcohol to Lidner’s proposal, Shepley drew a distinction between a drug which is legal for those over 21 and one “our legislature has determined that no matter how old you are you can’t have it.

“My fear with this is that we’re sending a message.

“If you are smart [enough] not to carry more than a certain amount of drugs, there is no possibility of jail time.

“I’m not in favor of this,” Shepley concluded.

Next up was Cathy Ferguson.

She zeroed in on arguments that it would cover “youthful indiscretions.”

“This does not cover juvenile cases, right?”

Linder agreed.

Ferguson, who works as a social worker, explained, “I treat kids with substance abuse.  I’m seeing these gets getting their drugs from their parents.

“I agree with you in principle, Aaron, that we’re sending a [bad] message.

“Marijuana of today is not the marijuana [of my youth].  A lot of other substances are cut into marijuana.

“When I look at statements that marijuana hurts no one [asserted by one proponent to the Council], that’s a falsehood.

“I prefer there be jail time attached.”

Ferguson then went after the discretion that the ordinance gives police officers.

“[For] one joint jail time is not warranted.

“Thirty joints deserves jail time.

“There’s too much wiggle room [in the ordinance."

Introducing a new aspect was Ralph Dawson.

“Nothing I’ve seen that David [Linder] has presented that the Department’s doing this for monetary reasons,” he said.

“I believe it will give a lot of people a second chance,” he continued.

“I see nothing negative here…better than hitting [youth] over the head.”

“Actually, I was going to move this to [be] discussion only,” Brett Hopkins said.

“It’s a difficult subject.  I’m pretty black and white.  The drugs are illegal. End of story.”

He compares it with enforcement of the sign ordinance.

Carolyn Schofield was next.

“I don’t think this stems from a moral issue.

“If it helps the Police Department–I really believe in him–I want to support him in this,” Schofield said.

The last to express his opinion was Jeff Thorsen.

“I think the Chief is the expert on the situation.

“We do have the right to put this into play.

“We set the law.

“Discretion – they think about that everyday.

I don’t thing a $500 to a $1,000 penalty is a minor penalty.

“If the Chief thinks we’re pulling one-third of our officers off the street, the [Chief is making sense].”

In rebuttal to Schofield, who had argued that consequences are not going to change what people do, Shepley observed, “That’s hat our criminal system is all about..  I would respectfully disagree.

“I think it’s absolutely the wrong way to go.”

He pointed out that he has been “insistent with things we have done to preserve the character of Crystal Lake.”

Mueller pointed out that the Council had “changed possession of liquor possession.”

Shepley repeated his argument that liquor was a legal drug, while marijuana was not.

Ferguson also weighed in on the “consequences” debate.

She pointed to why people pay income taxes.

“It comes down to no one wants to mess with them.”

“I’m trying to keep a level playing field.  If you have a better lawyer, you have a better chance of getting off.”

She repeated her concern that there was too much “wiggle room.”

Before the Council voted, Schofield expressed the opinion that the Council could “look at different levels.”

The first motion was to kill the ordinance.

Shepley, Ferguson and Hopkins voted to keep the status quo.

Mueller, Dawson, Schofield and Thorsen voted to change the criminal penalties to civil ones.

Then Mueller seemed to second Schofield’s idea to lower the threshold for a pot ticket.  She suggested 15.

After than the Council agreed to table the proposal until the Police Department had a chance to consider the consequences of some in between proposal.

32-year old Orlando Tapia-Fonseca, the illegal alien from Mexico who was sentenced to 41-months in Federal prison and, then, a second deportation, was convicted in Brown County, Wisconsin, in 1998 of second degree sexual assault on a child.

He got nine months in jail and two years probation and was deported on August 8, 1998.

Tapia-Fonseca was arrested May 30, 2011, for resisting arrest and possession of cannabis.

From the Crystal Lake Police Department:

Search Warrant and Arrest

Having received citizen complaints of suspected criminal activity, Crystal Lake Police met with the resident of a home located at 145 Lincoln Parkway, on Monday, October 11th, 2010 at approximately 2:30 P.M.

Upon making initial contact with the resident; identified as Jacob A. Lizzio (24), an overwhelming odor of cannabis was detected by investigating officers, which emanated from the interior of the residence.

A search warrant for the residence was obtained and executed by Crystal Lake Police and Agents from the North Central Narcotics Task Force.

A subsequent search of the interior of the home resulted in the seizure of fourteen (14) cannabis sativa plants, numerous items of drug paraphernalia, approximately 122 grams of cannabis, digital scales, and numerous items relating to the production and sale of cannabis.

Jacob A. Lizzio was taken into custody and charged with

• Unlawful Production of Cannabis Sativa Plants (Class 4 Felony),
• Unlawful Possession of Cannabis (Class 4 Felony),
• Unlawful Possession with the Intent to Deliver Cannabis (Class 3 Felony) and
• Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (Class A Misdemeanor).

Jacob Lizzio was later confined at the McHenry County Jail, where bond was set at $15,000. He has since posted bond and was released pending a court appearance of October 19th, 2010 at the McHenry County Court House.

After reading the press release from the Sheriff’s Department below, I wondered if the woman making the complaint didn’t think of the implications of doing so.

One Arrested for Domestic Battery and Operation of

an Indoor Clandestine Grow Operation

Sheriff Keith Nygren announced today the arrest of an Algonquin resident for domestic battery and operation of an indoor clandestine cannabis growing lab on June 7, 2010.

.Members of the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office discovered an indoor clandestine growing lab in the 1400 block of Cary-Algonquin Road in Algonquin, IL while investigating a reported domestic battery.

At the completion of the investigation, McHenry County Sheriff’s Office Narcotic’s Division recovered over 30 grams of processed cannabis, along with 14, approximately 4’-5’ tall, actively growing cannabis sativa plants along with nutrients, lights, ballasts and exhaust tubing used to cultivate the Cannabis.

Sheriff Nygren estimates the street value of the seized cannabis to be in excess of $14,000. The investigation culminated in the arrest of self admitted Latin King gang member, Gustavo Rodriguez.

Rodriguez was incarcerated in the McHenry County Correctional Facility. The criminal investigation is ongoing.

Arrested:
Gustavo Rodriguez (M/H age 33)
1406 Cary Algonquin Rd
Algonquin, IL

Charges:
1 count Possession of cannabis with intent to deliver (Class 3)
1 count Possession of cannabis (Class 4)
1 count Production of cannabis sativa plants (Class 4)
1 count Possession of drug paraphernalia (Class A)
1 count Possession of firearm ammunition  (Class A)
3 counts of Domestic Battery (Class A)
Bond:    $50,000
Next Court:  June 15, 2010 at 9:00 A.M.