An Antioch man has been sentenced to more than six years in prison after being convicted of possessing almost 60 bags of heroin during a traffic stop in Crystal Lake.
Derek Schwantner, 33, of Antioch, was found guilty in August of unlawful possession with intent to deliver heroin, a Class 1 felony, and possession of heroin, a Class 4 felony.
Schwantner was pulled over by officers with the Crystal Lake Police Department on August 9, 2021.
Prosecutors said the man had no driver’s license or insurance.
A search of Schwantner’s vehicle revealed that he had 55 bags of heroin in the center console, prosecutors said.
Schwantner also had four cell phones and $457 in cash.
Crystal Lake Police Department Detective Michael Maloney testified that the amount of heroin Schwantner had was considerably more than a drug user would have for their own personal use.
Maloney said that based on the amount of heroin, its packaging and the other evidence, it was clear that Schwantner was engaged in dealing heroin.
The jury returned guilty verdicts on Schwantner’s felony charges and also found him guilty of the traffic offenses.
Schwanter was sentenced on Thursday by McHenry County Judge James Cowlin to 78 months in the Illinois Department of Corrections.
The sentence will be served at 50% and Schwanter will receive credit for 424 days already served in the McHenry County Jail along with 14 days for credit from work assignments.
Schwanter remains held in the jail awaiting transport to the Illinois Department of Corrections.