A McHenry woman who previously served prison time in a fatal overdose death has been sentenced to probation following another arrest for possessing cocaine in McHenry County.
Samantha M. Hagler, 47, of McHenry, was charged in August with possession of cocaine with intent to deliver, a Class X felony, and possession of cocaine, a Class 1 felony.
A criminal complaint filed in McHenry County Circuit Court said Hagler possessed 17 grams of crack cocaine, scales and jeweler bags on August 20 in Wonder Lake.
McHenry County Judge Jeffrey Hirsch granted a petition filed by prosecutors to detain Hagler pending trial following her arrest.
The judge said during a detention hearing that Hagler’s conduct of possessing and selling drugs showed there was no conditions of release to mitigate the threat she posed to the community.
Hirsch also said Hagler’s recent criminal history for a similar drug offense closely mirrored the facts in the instant case.
“[The] defendant’s prior sentence has not deterred her from the same conduct in this case,” Hirsch said.
Court records show Hagler was charged in June 2019 with drug-induced homicide in McHenry County and pleaded guilty in August 2021 to an amended charge of manufacturing or delivery of 1-15 grams of cocaine, a Class 1 felony.
The case stemmed from the fatal drug overdose of Valerie Underwood, 35, who was found dead in her home in Woodstock on April 16, 2019.
Prosecutors said items of drug paraphernalia consistent with cocaine use were found in her home.
Toxicology results showed Underwood had elevated amounts of cocaine in her system and an investigation showed Hagler provided the crack cocaine to Underwood, prosecutors said.
Hagler was sentenced to four years in the Illinois Department of Corrections in that case.
Court records show Hagler entered into a negotiated plea deal with the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office last week in connection with her latest drug case.
She pleaded guilty to an amended charge of possession of a controlled substance, a Class 2 felony, in exchange for her other charges being dismissed.
Hagler was accepted into drug court and sentenced to 30 months of probation.
She will undergo drug addiction treatment and was ordered to not consume alcohol or drugs and be randomly tested.