Man caught in drug raid gets misdemeanor conviction

A Wildwood man arrested when police found more than 9 pounds of marijuana in his house pleaded guilty Tuesday to a misdemeanor charge of possession of the drug.

Thomas Bilestein, 21, was placed on probation for two years and ordered to pay a $300 fine.

Lake County Assistant State's Attorney Ken LaRue said Bilestein was arrested May 18 when agents of the Lake County Metropolitan Enforcement Group served a search warrant on his residence at 18846 Circle Court.

Police said they discovered 9 pounds of marijuana packed in 1-pound bags inside a safe in the garage of the house.

They found another 7 ounces of marijuana and $3,026 in cash in a shoebox inside the bedroom of another resident of the house, Erik Sjoholm, 22.

Inside Bilestein's bedroom, LaRue said, 8.6 grams of marijuana was discovered.

LaRue said Bilestein told police the only marijuana he knew about was what was found in his bedroom; Sjoholm gave police a written statement admitting the rest of the drug was his.

Sjoholm is charged with possession of marijuana with the intent to deliver and is scheduled to appear in court Aug. 20.