2 Kane Co. men charged with growing pot

Kane County sheriff's deputies uncovered a small marijuana-growing operation Sunday at the St. Charles Township home of a reported hit-and-run driver, police said.

The unexpected discovery was made when officers went to question the driver at his residence and happened upon several potted cannabis plants, horticulture lights, drug paraphernalia and a book on how to grow marijuana, according to a police report.

Dominick P. Ziola, 29, of the 6N400 block of Route 25, was charged with marijuana production, leaving the scene of an accident and driving on a suspended license. His roommate, Joseph R. Nowicki, 25, also was charged with marijuana production, a Class 4 felony.

The investigation began around noon, after witnesses reported seeing Ziola's Jeep strike a Honda Passport parked along Route 25 near May Lane. One witness followed Ziola to his home and reported him, according to police.

Investigators said they grew suspicious when Ziola, after reaching him by phone, wanted to meet at a nearby restaurant rather than at his house. Eventually, however, Ziola agreed to meet at his residence, police said, and the plants were discovered when deputies went inside to speak with his roommate.

In addition, police said they found photos on a camera phone that indicated additional plants were growing at another location. Police said the men, who are due in court Sept. 15, then led them to a nearby yard where 18 marijuana plants were growing unbeknown to the elderly homeowners.

Neither Ziola nor Nowicki has prior criminal histories in Kane County, according to court records. If convicted of marijuana production, the men each face up to three years in jail.

On Tuesday, Ziola remained in the Kane Count jail, unable to post 10 percent of a $5,000 bond. Nowicki posted $500 and was freed Monday. There was no attorney listed in court files for either man.