North Aurora man guilty of growing pot

A North Aurora man was sentenced this week to 24 months of probation for growing marijuana in his home.

Kenneth M. Gauss, 37, of the 200 block of Larchwood Lane, pleaded guilty Wednesday to producing 20 to 50 cannabis plants, a Class 3 felony, at a hearing in front of Kane County Judge James C. Hallock.

Gauss was arrested in February after agents from the North Central Narcotics Task Force executed a search warrant at his home and seized 24 cannabis plants and 1,357 grams of loose cannabis, authorities said. The drugs had an estimated street value of $60,000.

In addition to serving probation, Gauss was ordered to pay more than $35,000 in fines and fees, including $12,166 to a village drug fund and $16,222 to a task force drug fund, according to court records.

He had no prior criminal history in Kane County.