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Crime & Safety

Police Bust Grow House, Arrest 4 On Drug Charges

The McHenry County Sheriff's Office recovered 72 marijuana plants with a street value of $7,200.

The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office uncovered a marijuana growing enterprise in an Island Lake home, June 17, resulting in the arrest of three men and a woman on various felony drug charges. 

McHenry County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit, Fugitive Apprehension Unit and the Illinois State Police arrested Christopher S. Keeton, 43, 4606 Pesz Rd., Island Lake, on an arrest warrant for theft of over $500 and less than $10,000. 

Sgt. John Coziol said when police were making the arrest, they noticed evidence that suggested probable cause for a warrant to search the residence and obtained one within a few hours. 

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During the subsequent investigation, police recovered 72 actively growing, suspected cannabis sativa plants in the home, along with the lights and ballasts used to cultivate them. Heroin, trace amounts of cocaine, and drug paraphernalia items were also recovered. 

Coziol said that two packets were found in the house containing approximately a 10th of a gram each of what is thought to be heroin. Those packets have been sent to a lab for testing. 

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The cannabis plants were located in a basement bathroom, Coziol said. The plants were between one-foot and two-feet high and police think this activity had been going on for about a month. 

It is unknown if this was Keeton’s first crop or if he’d harvested others prior to the June 17 search, Coziol said. 

Sheriff Keith Nygren estimated the street value of the plants seized to be over $7,200. 

Keeton was charged with felony unlawful production of cannabis sativa plant, theft, unlawful possession of a controlled substance and misdemeanor unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. His bond was set at $100,000 and he has a July 13 court date. 

Police also arrested Robert W. Rosher, 46, and Bradley G. Linnane, 29, who also reside at Keeton’s home. 

Rosher is charged with felony unlawful production of cannabis sativa plant, unlawful possession of a controlled substance and misdemeanor unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia and unlawful passion of cannabis. His bond is set at $75,000 and he has a court date June 23. 

Linnane was charged with misdemeanor unlawful possession of cannabis. A judge will set his bond. 

Emily L. Andrews, 30, 10463 270th Ave., Trevor, WI, was also arrested and charged with felony unlawful possession of a controlled substance and misdemeanor unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. Her bond is $75,000 and she has a July 22 court date. 

Coziol said all but Linnane were arrested at the home on June 17. 

The drug activity in the single-family home, which is rented by Keeton, is not related to gangs or gang activity, Coziol said, and seems an isolated event not tied to others in the county. 

Coziol said he’s seen marijuana grow houses in the county ranging anywhere from 200 to 4,000 plants – the latter taking up an entire single-family home. 

He added the department has become much more aggressive in the past few years in cracking down on drugs in the county – particularly heroin – resulting in significantly more arrests. 

“We’re making more of a conscientious effort,” Coziol said.

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