St. Charles man gets 2 years probation in 2013 cocaine bust
A 44-year-old St. Charles man was sentenced to two years probation for a January 2013 cocaine bust, according to court records and his attorney.
Michael T. Stellwagen, of the 43W700 block of Fescue Court, also must pay $4,610 in fines and court costs, complete a drug and alcohol evaluation and could be resentenced up to 15 years in prison if he violates probation, according to court records.
Stellwagen initially was charged with possession of cocaine with intent to deliver — and up to 30 years in prison if convicted — but prosecutors reduced the cocaine charge and Stellwagen pleaded guilty Thursday.
The case had been set for trial in December.
“The reason the case was set for trial was on the issue of intent to deliver. My position was they could not prove intent to deliver (the 46.5 grams of cocaine),” said Kathleen Colton, Stellwagen's attorney.
“I think it was a very fair disposition in light of the evidence and his situation in having no criminal history.”
Stellwagen and his girlfriend, Susanne L. Russell, 53, were arrested in January 2013 after members of the North Central Narcotics Task Force, which is a division of the Illinois State Police, searched their home.
In addition to the cocaine, police seized 1,017 grams of marijuana, which is about two pounds, authorities said. The drugs had a street value of between $6,500 and $11,100, police said.
Prosecutors also dismissed the marijuana charges against Stellwagen as part of the plea, which was accepted by Judge Karen Simpson.
Russell was sentenced to two years of probation after pleading guilty in February 2014.