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Ingleside man pleads not guilty in Spring Grove woman's drug-related death

An Ingleside man pleaded not guilty in court Thursday to supplying the synthetic drug "Sass" to a Spring Grove woman who later died.

Jacob D. Mazzuca, 21, faces six to 30 years in prison if found guilty on the one count of drug-induced homicide, Lake County Judge Joseph Salvi said.

Mazzuca also faces three to seven years in prison if found guilty of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance, Salvi said. He could also be sentenced to probation on the unlawful delivery charge, Salvi said in court.

Mazzuca remains held in Lake County jail on $250,000 bail.

Defense attorney Greg Nikitas did not comment after the arraignment hearing.

Mazzuca was taken into custody by Lake County sheriff's deputies Feb. 27 after an investigation into the death of Christina Villasana, 21, revealed she took the substance she received from Mazzuca on Nov. 10, authorities said.

Villasana was admitted to the Vista Freestanding Emergency Center in Lindenhurst at 2 a.m. Nov. 11 and was later transferred to Vista East Hospital in Waukegan. She was pronounced dead about 18 hours later, authorities said.

Sass is a pure form of Ecstasy made from the sassafras plant, authorities said.

Ingleside man accused in drug-related death of Spring Grove woman

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