An actor has been sentenced to probation after prosecutors said he was found in possession of drugs in a Grayslake home where a young child lived and several guns were left unsecured.
Kyle A. Dones, 36, of Grayslake, was charged in March with possession of cannabis with the intent to deliver over 2,000 grams, possession of cannabis over 2,000 grams, use of cannabis-based product manufacturing equipment, production of 50-200 cannabis plants, child endangerment and allowing a minor access to a firearm.
A second defendant, Alena Burda, 28, of Grayslake, was also charged in March with possession of cannabis with the intent to deliver over 2,000 grams, possession of cannabis over 2,000 grams, use of cannabis-based product manufacturing equipment, production of 50-200 cannabis plants, parent leaving a minor with a sex offender and allowing a minor access to a firearm.
The Lake County Metropolitan Enforcement Group served a search warrant on March 15.
The warrant execution occurred at Burda and Dones’ residence in the 0-100 block of Hawley Street in Grayslake.
Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Francis DeRosa said at the time that officers were investigating a suspected indoor cannabis operation at the residence.
Officers seized firearms and drugs during the warrant.
DeRosa said they found 13 guns and 99 cannabis plants, which were still growing in the garage.
The guns were legally possessed by Dones and were found all over the house, DeRosa said. The firearms included pistols, rifles and shotguns.
Cannabis was found throughout the house, including leafy cannabis totaling over 1,200 grams and over 1,000 grams of wax cartridges and edibles, DeRosa said.
Nearly 60 jars of suspected THC honey, weighing almost 40 pounds, were recovered in addition to over $2,000 in cash.
Multiple scales and bags for the marijuana were recovered.
The couple’s 3-year-old child lives in the home and could have gotten ahold of the cannabis or guns, DeRosa said.
Robert P. Ritacca, an attorney representing both Dones and Burda, said during an initial court hearing that Dones is an actor and Burda is a registered nurse.
Lake County Judge Theodore Potkonjak ordered Burda held on a $100,000 bond and Dones held on a $250,000 bond.
Both defendants were released from the Lake County Jail after posting 10% of their bonds.
Dones entered into a negotiated plea deal with the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office last month.
He was accepted into the second chance probation program on the charge of possession of cannabis under 500 grams, a Class 4 felony, in exchange for his other charges being dismissed.
Dones was sentenced to 24 months of probation and ordered not to consume or possess illegal drugs and alcohol. He was also ordered to pay court fines and fees.
If he completes his probation successfully, all charges in the case will be dismissed.
Court records show the charges against Burda were dismissed on the same day Dones entered into the plea deal.