Man pleads not guilty to ecstasy, cocaine sale
A Spring Grove man accused of selling drugs to an undercover police officer pleaded not guilty Thursday in Lake County circuit court.
Jason McKenzie, 28, faces a mandatory prison sentence of six to 30 years if convicted.
Assistant State's Attorney Brett Henne said McKenzie, of the 6500 block of Maple Avenue, agreed to sell Ecstasy pills to an undercover Round Lake Beach police officer on April 10.
The two men agreed to meet in a parking lot on Rollins Road, Henne said, and McKenzie arrived shortly before the scheduled 9 p.m. meeting time.
The undercover officer went to McKenzie's car, Henne said, and handed over $300 in cash in exchange for 17 Ecstasy pills and one gram of cocaine.
McKenzie was taken into custody by other officers concealed in the lot, and Henne said police found more cocaine on McKenzie.
Six small plastic bags containing a total of 3.8 grams of cocaine were found in McKenzie's pockets, Henne said.
He is charged with delivery of Ecstasy and cocaine and possession of cocaine.
Circuit Judge John Phillips scheduled a trial of the case for Aug. 16 and ordered McKenzie, who is held on $100,000 bond, to appear in court July 7.