Man cuts deal to testify against co-defendants in Cary torture case

A McHenry County man linked to the beating and torture of a suspected thief at a Cary home agreed this morning to testify against his three co-defendants in exchange for a plea deal that keeps him out of prison.

Nicholas Sweeney, 24, of Woodstock, admitted guilt to a charge of mob action stemming from the May 22 incident in which police say he and three other men lured an 18-year-old Lakewood man to a residence, struck him with a baseball bat, burned him with a hot knife and then locked him in a dog cage.

Under the plea bargain, Sweeney was sentenced to six months in the McHenry County jail and two years probation.

In return for his testimony, county prosecutors dismissed armed robbery, burglary and unlawful restraint charges that could have landed Sweeney up to 30 years in prison if he were found guilty.

"I hope you understand what a deal the state's attorney's office is giving you," McHenry County Judge Sharon Prather said before accepting the agreement.

Authorities say the Sweeeney and his friends targeted the victim because they believed he had stolen several items, including a bag of tools, a scale and a small amount of cash, from the Cary home of co-defendant Andrew C. Shedivy.

The men, Sweeney said in court today, called the victim to the home the night of May 22 and when he arrived confronted him with a baseball bat and a knife.

"Their intent was to bully and it got out of hand," Sweeney attorney Colin MacMeekin said.

Assistant McHenry County State's Attorney Ryan Blackney said his office was willing to cut a deal with Sweeney because his participation in the assault was limited and he ultimately helped the victim when it ended.

"His involvement in these cruel actions was that he was there," Blackney said. "After it was all over, he let the victim out of the dog cage."

As part of his agreement, Sweeney was put under oath this morning and answered questions from Blackney detailing the incident and his co-defendants' actions.

Sweeney's co-defendants - Shedivy, 21, of Cary; Patrick R. Rehayem, 19, of Fox River Grove; and Miko L. Gougis, 19, of Chicago - all remain in custody at the county jail awaiting trial on armed robbery, unlawful restraint and mob action charges.

Shedivy also faces several felony drug charges alleging police found a sophisticated hallucinogenic mushroom-growing operation in his Krenz Avenue home while investigating the beating allegations.