Man's cooperation leads to break in disappearance investigation
The informant who handed authorities a key break in their investigation into the mysterious 2002 disappearance of a McHenry County teen received only minor legal considerations for his cooperation, prosecutors say in court documents.
Alan Lippert, who wore a wire to record conversations linking a McHenry businessman to the disappearance, was let out of jail without having to post a cash bond following a drunk driving arrest earlier this year.
The release, prosecutors say in court documents, allowed investigators to expedite their investigation of Mario Casciaro's role, if any, in the suspected murder of Brian Carrick, a 17-year-old Johnsburg teen who vanished from his workplace nearly five years ago.
It could, however, become an issue for Casciaro's defense as it seeks ways to weaken the prosecution's case and question the credibility of those expected to testify against him.
Casciaro, 24, faces nine counts of perjury alleging he lied to a grand jury investigating what happened to Carrick the night he disappeared in December 2002 from Val's Foods in Johnsburg, police say. Casciaro, now the co-owner of Val's Foods in Fox Lake, was Carrick's supervisor the night he disappeared.
Police said they discovered traces of Carrick's blood in the store shortly after his disappearance and McHenry County State's Attorney Louis Bianchi has said he believes the teen was a victim of foul play.
Court records indicate Lippert, a 24-year-old McHenry man, agreed after a January DUI arrest to conduct conversations, some recorded, with Casciaro about the Carrick case.
During those conversations, authorities allege, Casciaro told Lippert he knows what happened to the Johnsburg teen, who may have killed him and where his body may be today.
But when called before a McHenry County grand jury in February, authorities allege, Casciaro denied making those statements, leading to the pending perjury charges.
Casciaro has pleaded not guilty to the felony charges and asked for a jury trial.
Besides the no-bond release on the DUI charge, prosecutors say Lippert received no other benefits or deals for his cooperation with the investigation.
Now free on bond, Casciaro could face up to 10 years in prison if found guilty of the perjury accusations. His next scheduled court appearance is Dec. 6 for a pre-trial status hearing.
Red Ribbon Week: McHenry County law enforcement this week will observe Red Ribbon Week, a nationwide effort to fight the spread and use of illegal drugs.
As part of the week's activities, the office of McHenry County State's Attorney Louis Bianchi will distribute 40,000 red ribbons to students in local elementary and middle schools.
On Tuesday, Bianchi will host a special presentation at the county courthouse where select students will discuss how their schools are participating in Red Ribbon Week and why they believe it is important to stay drug-free. Over 60 students and educators are expected to participate.
Red Ribbon Week was started to commemorate Enrique "Kiki" Camarera, a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration special agent killed in the line of duty by Mexican drug lords.