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Gurnee mayor’s son charged with pot possession

The son of Gurnee Mayor Kristina Kovarik is among four people facing charges after being busted for possession of cannabis, police officials said.

Jared Kovarik, 19, of Gurnee, is free on a recognizance bond after being charged with a misdemeanor. He was also charged with possession of a fraudulent driver’s license during the bust at KeyLime Cove about 10:30 p.m. Thursday, Gurnee Police Cmdr. Jay Patrick said.

Police were called to the water park off Dilley’s Road after security guards found Jared Kovarik and four others in the parking lot with a green leafy substance believed to be cannabis, police said.

Patrick said the call started as a suspicious vehicle complaint for two individuals in a car, but the two said they were waiting for a group of friends to show up.

Moments later, the second car, carrying five people — including Kovarik — pulled up alongside the first and security guards noted a strong odor of cannabis from inside, police said.

Gurnee Police were called in, officials said, and everyone inside the second vehicle was cited, Patrick said.

Michael Replogle, 19, of Gurnee, was found in possession of a large amount of cannabis along with a scale and drug paraphernalia, officials said.

Replogle was charged with misdemeanor counts of possession of cannabis, possession of drug paraphernalia, and a felony count of possession of cannabis with intent to deliver. He was taken to Lake County jail in lieu of $10,000 bond.

Jeffrey Malazia, 19, of Gurnee, and Jordan Clark, 19, of Kansas, were charged with misdemeanor counts of possession of cannabis, while Curtis Saemann, 19, of Gurnee, was charged with possession of liquor by a minor. All were released from custody.

Kovarik said Monday that Jared made a bad decision and he would learn from his indiscretion.

“My youngest son made a poor choice last week. He has to suffer the consequences, however it goes,” Kovarik said Monday. “He is smart, will learn from this and recover.”

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