A woman charged with selling a large quantity of cocaine in Marengo while two young children were inside her car has been sentenced to probation.
Morgan N. Martino, 26, of the 1000 block of 10th Street in LaSalle, was charged in November 2020 with unlawful possession with the intent to deliver cocaine, unlawful possession of cocaine and one count of endangering the life or health of a child.
Nyco T. Jackson, 25, of the 500 block of North Braintree Drive in Schaumburg, was charged with three counts of unlawful possession with the intent to deliver cocaine, three counts of unlawful possession of cocaine and one count of endangering the life or health of a child.
The charges stem from when Jackson and Martino were both arrested on November 23, 2020, by the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office.
A motion filed at the time by McHenry County Assistant State’s Attorney Ken Hudson said the two traveled more than two hours to Marengo.
Hudson said that Jackson and Martino traveled there in an effort to complete the sale of a large amount of cocaine for an arranged price of $15,000 to $16,000.
A criminal complaint said that two children, who were between the ages of 1 and 3, were inside the vehicle during the transaction.
The vehicle contained large amounts of cocaine and cannabis.
Jackson and Martino also sold a large amount of cocaine to an informant working with the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit on two occasions in September and October, according to the motion.
The McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office reached a negotiated plea deal with Jackson in May 2021.
He pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful possession of cocaine, a Class 1 felony, in exchange for his other charges being dismissed.
McHenry County Judge Robert Wilbrandt approved the plea deal and sentenced the man to ten years in prison, with 50% of the sentence being served in accordance with truth-in-sentencing guidelines.
Court records show Martino reached a negotiated plea deal last month.
She pleaded guilty to one count of possession of cocaine, a Class 1 felony, in exchange for the rest of her charges being dismissed.
McHenry County Judge James Cowlin approved the plea deal and sentenced Martino to two years of probation.
She also received 24 days of credit for time already served in the McHenry County Jail.
Cowlin ordered Martino to undergo a substance abuse evaluation and undergo all recommended treatment.