Four people are now facing charges after DCFS and police found a large quantity of drugs along with multiple guns in a McHenry apartment where a young child lived.
Liam P. Keegan, 20, and Jade D. McGuire, 19, both of the 4000 block of Oak Avenue in McHenry, were charged on February 10 with unlawful possession of cannabis over 5,000 grams, unlawful possession of 15-100 grams of cocaine and child endangerment.
Keegan was additionally charged with unlawful possession with intent to deliver cannabis over 5,000 grams, a Class X felony.
On Tuesday, two others — Michael A. Strauss and Austin T. Hird — were also charged in the case.
Strauss, 19, of the 11600 block of Brittany Court in Spring Grove, and Hird, 19, of the 700 block of Suszanne Court in Spring Grove, were charged with unlawful possession with intent to deliver cannabis over 5,000 grams, unlawful possession of cannabis over 5,000 grams and criminal conspiracy.
Strauss was additionally charged with possession of 15-100 grams of cocaine, unlawful possession of 15-100 grams of cocaine with intent to deliver, possession of a controlled substance, possession of a firearm without a FOID and illegal possession of ammunition.
McHenry County Assistant State’s Attorney Matthew Brodersen said in a motion that the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Task Force was contacted by the McHenry Police Department earlier this month.
The McHenry Police Department was contacted by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), which found a large quantity of narcotics in an apartment during a welfare check in the 4000 block of Oak Avenue in McHenry.
Members of the task force arrived and discovered large amounts of cannabis and related products, along with a large amount of cocaine and multiple firearms, Brodersen said.
Investigators seized 2,732 grams of cannabis flower, 3,300 grams of cannabis wax, 774 THC cartridges at 1 gram each and 24,000 grams of cannabis edibles.
They also recovered two AR-15 rifles, a 9mm pistol, 112 grams of psilocybin mushrooms, 50.7 grams of cocaine, $1,040 in cash, packaging materials, digital scales and a vacuum sealer.
McGuire and Keegan were present and determined to be residents of the apartment, Brodersen said.
The two provided written statements indicating they were aware of the narcotics within the home, Brodersen said.
A further investigation led the task force to interview Strauss and Hird.
Strauss admitted that the items recovered from the apartment belonged to him and that he stored them there, Brodersen said.
Strauss admitted that he sells cannabis, THC and cocaine, while Hird admitted to selling cannabis and THC.
Hird also admitted that he goes with Strauss to pick up the cannabis, THC and cocaine and transport it to the apartment, according to the motion.
Court documents said that the circumstances in the apartment endangered the life of a 1-year-old child who was in the residence.
McGuire and Keegan have both been released from the McHenry County Jail. Hird remains held on a $200,000 bond and Strauss remains held on a $100,000 bond.