One of two suspects arrested in one of the largest fentanyl busts in McHenry County history has been sentenced to 14 years in prison for possessing two kilograms of fentanyl.
Patricio Rosales-Diaz, 45, of Palatine, and Joaquin R. Montano-Martinez, 30, of Mexico, were both charged in February 2023 with manufacturing or delivering fentanyl over 900 grams, a Class X felony, and possession of more than 900 grams of heroin, a Class 1 felony.
McHenry County Assistant State’s Attorney Brian Miller said law enforcement stopped a truck being driven by Rosales-Diaz on February 24, 2023.
The truck was traveling westbound on Route 14 through Cary and officers saw it failed to signal a turn.
Montano-Martinez, who is a permanent Mexican resident, was a passenger in the truck.
The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office located approximately two kilograms, or 4.4 pounds, of fentanyl in the truck.
The wholesale price for a kilogram of fentanyl is approximately $25,000, Miller said.
Fentanyl, when broken down, sells for approximately $100 per gram in McHenry County, Miller said.
Bulk fentanyl is typically mixed with other substances to increase profits.
“Assuming the fentanyl was broken down and sold in its current form, its approximately street value would be $200,000,” Miller said in court documents.
Miller said the seized fentanyl could produce 20,000 doses if broken down and sold in its current form.
Two milligrams of fentanyl is considered a lethal dose, which is about 10 to 15 grains of table salt, according to the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office. “One kilogram alone has the potential to kill 500,000 people.”
Rosales-Diaz admitted to police that he and Montano-Martinez had placed the drugs in the trunk and were taking them to a location in Crystal Lake to sell, court documents said.
McHenry County Judge Jennifer Johnson set bond for Rosales-Diaz and Montano-Martinez at $1 million.
McHenry County Judge Tiffany Davis reduced Montano-Martinez’s bond to $500,000 during a subsequent hearing but prosecutors later successfully sought to have his bond increased back to $1 million.
Rosales-Diaz has remained held in the McHenry County Jail while Montano-Martinez posted 10% of the bond in August 2023. Montano-Martinez is currently wanted after he failed to appear in court on May 2, 2024.
Court records show Rosales-Diaz entered into a negotiated plea deal with the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office this week.
He pleaded guilty to an amended count of possession of 200+ grams of fentanyl, a Class 1 felony, in exchange for his other more serious charges being dismissed.
Rosales-Diaz was sentenced to 14 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections by McHenry County Judge Tiffany Davis pursuant to the agreement.
He will be required to serve 50% of the sentence and will receive credit for 728 days spent in custody awaiting trial. He will also receive an additional 220 days of credit for engaging in a volunteer work program in the jail.