Two Lake County residents plead not guilty in Lindenhurst fatal drug case

Two Lake County residents have pleaded not guilty to selling heroin to a Lindenhurst man who later died from a drug overdose.

Cassandra Fornear, 31, and Matthew Rosene, 28, each answered to charges of drug-induced homicide and unlawful delivery of a controlled substance during an arraignment hearing Thursday in Lake County court.

If found guilty trial, each can be sentenced up to 30 years in prison on the homicide charge, and up to 7 years for the delivery charge.

Fornear, of Fox Lake, remains held in Lake County jail on $100,000 bail, authorities said. Rosene, of Lakemoor, was freed from jail after posting the required 10 percent of his $100,000 bail.

Assistant State's Attorney Ari Fisz said Mark Sailors, 29, was found unresponsive in his home Oct. 10, 2014, by relatives. He was taken to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville, where he died.

Fisz said autopsy results showed Sailors died of heroin intoxication. An investigation revealed the drug was purchased from Fornear and Rosene, according to authorities..

Rosene's attorney, Elliot Pinsel, and Fornear's attorney, Eric Rinehard, did not comment after the hearing.

Lake County Judge James K. Booras set a trial date of Aug. 3. The two are due back in court July 2 for a case management conference.