Algonquin man gets probation, hefty fine for growing pot indoors

An Algonquin man accused of running an indoor marijuana growing operation with his younger brother avoided a potentially lengthy prison stay by pleading guilty Friday to a drug possession charge and accepting a term of two years probation.

Brett K. Revelle, 45, of the 500 block of Woods Creek Lane, also must perform 50 hours of community service and pay $9,623 in fines, fees and court costs under a plea bargain in which he admitted to possession of between 2,000 and 5,000 grams of cannabis.

As part of the deal, McHenry County prosecutors dismissed a charge of unlawful production of more than 200 cannabis plants, a Class 1 felony for which Revelle could have received four to 15 years in prison.

The plea bargain is nearly identical to one Revelle's brother, Joseph J. Revelle, 34, of the 2400 block of Waterleaf Lane in Woodstock, received last month on the same charges. McHenry County Sheriff's deputies arrested the men in January after tying them to a rented home in Woodstock where investigators found 247 cannabis plants and 3.8 kilograms of cannabis, along with numerous items used for growing indoors, court documents state.

Authorities said they believe the brothers were running the growing operation for six to 12 months before the arrests.