Aurora man charged in marijuana bust pleads not guilty

The Aurora man police said was to be the recipient of 170 pounds of marijuana airlifted here from California pleaded not guilty Thursday in Lake County circuit court.

Brian Daugherty, 30, of the 1000 block of Chelsea Lane, faces up to 60 years in prison if convicted of marijuana trafficking and possession of marijuana.

Assistant State's Attorney Suzanne Willett said Daugherty went to Waukegan Regional Airport to pick up the marijuana the day after agents of the Lake County Metropolitan Enforcement Group arrested two brothers in the plane that brought it here.

Nicholas Fejer and his brother, Michael Fejer, 27, both of Oceanside, Cal., flew a twin engine Beech Baron light airplane into Waukegan Regional Airport on May 7.

Alerted by a tip, agents of the Lake County Metropolitan Enforcement Group were waiting at the airport and searched the aircraft after it landed.

Police discovered 170 pounds of marijuana hidden in luggage in the cargo area of the plane and in its nose, Willett said.

Both men were taken into custody and the plane remained parked in a hanger until the following morning.

On May 8, police said Daugherty entered the hanger and began removing the luggage from the plane.

He was arrested as well, and was released from jail after posting $100,000 in cash against a $1 million bond.

Daugherty is scheduled to appear in court again June 16.

Nicholas Fejer, who is also being held on $1 million bond, has pleaded not guilty and is due to appear in court again June 14.

Michael Fejer, held on $750,000 bond, pleaded not guilty May 31 and is due to appear in court again on June 15.

Daugherty is due in court June 9 for arraignment.