A judge sentenced the second of two Mexican nationals to eight years in prison after they were caught with 17 kilograms of cocaine and fentanyl worth $400,000 in McHenry County.
Enrique Navar-Favela, 27, of Stone Park, and Cristian R. Chavez-Salgado, 27, of Chicago, were both charged in July with two counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, a Class X felony, and two counts of possession of a controlled substance, a Class 1 felony.
Navar-Favela and Chavez-Salgado were arrested around 1:30 p.m. on July 2, 2024, by the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Task Force.
Court documents said Chavez-Salgado and Navar-Favela were seen walking into a Super 8 motel in McHenry County while Chavez-Salgado was carrying a black duffel bag.
The bag contained 17 kilograms of what was later tested for the presumptive presence of cocaine and fentanyl.
McHenry County prosecutors have previously valued a kilogram of cocaine at $25,000, meaning the estimated value of the drugs could be approximately $425,000.
Navar-Favela had been driving a vehicle, which he claimed he borrowed, court documents said.
The car had dealer plates and Navar-Favela reportedly could not identify where he obtained the car.
Prosecutors said the narcotics task force began investigating the two after learning of a drug transaction that was expected to take place in McHenry.
Law enforcement intercepted the two suspects in the parking lot of the motel.
McHenry County Judge Carl Metz said the sheer quantity of cocaine and fentanyl that Chavez-Salgado possessed and that Navar-Favela was connected to shows the danger they pose to the community.
“The Court is aware of how deadly fentanyl can be,” Metz said during an initial court hearing.
The McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office filed petitions to detain both defendants pending trial.
The judge granted the petitions to detain Chavez-Salgado and Navar-Favela following their arrests.
“No other conditions can mitigate the risk he presents of obtaining and delivering large quantities of cocaine and fentanyl again,” Metz said about both defendants.
The judge also said he was concerned that Navar-Favela was a willful flight risk.
Both defendants are Mexican nationals. Navar-Favela does not have United States identification and indicated he planned to go back to Mexico, court documents said.
Court records show Chavez-Salgado and Navar-Favela both entered into negotiated plea deals with the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office this week.
Chavez-Salgado pleaded guilty on Wednesday to one count of possession of cocaine over 900 grams, a Class 1 felony, in exchange for his other charges being dismissed.
McHenry County Judge Christopher Harmon approved the plea and sentenced Chavez-Salgado to 12 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections pursuant to the agreement.
The judge also assessed $22,390 in court fines and fees for Chavez-Salgado.
Navar-Favela appeared in court on Friday and pleaded guilty to one count of possession of fentanyl over 200 grams, a Class 1 felony.
Harmon approved the second plea and sentenced Navar-Favela to eight years in the Illinois Department of Corrections pursuant to the agreement.
The judge also assessed $22,390 in court fines and fees for Navar-Favela.
McHenry County State’s Attorney Randi Freese on Friday lauded the McHenry County Sheriff’s Department’s Narcotics Task Force following the sentencing of the two suspects.
Freese also said she recognizes the task force for their “continued tireless efforts” to keep dangerous drugs off the streets and ensure those who wish to profit off the illegal drug trade are held accountable.