Gurnee attorney denies cocaine possession charge

A Gurnee attorney charged with possession of cocaine pleaded not guilty Thursday in Lake County Circuit Court.

Peter Kalagis, 46, faces a prison sentence of up to three years if convicted, but he would also be eligible for probation.

Assistant State's Attorney Bolling Haxall said Kalagis, of the 700 block of Cascade Way, was stopped May 24 after a Lindenhurst police officer saw him driving a vehicle with two different license plates.

Police said the 2005 Nissan Armada had a state license plate on the front of the vehicle and a temporary registration card on the rear.

A computer check showed Kalagis had a suspended driver's license, Haxall said, so Kalagis was taken into custody and the car was towed.

While in police impound, Haxall said, police found 1.3 grams of cocaine and a rolled-up dollar bill in a cigarette pack inside the car.

In addition to the drug charge, Kalagis is charged with improper display of a license plate.

He has posted $4,000 for bond and is due to appear in court Sept. 30.

Haxall said Kalagis also faces the possibility the state will move to seize the vehicle he was driving at the time of his arrest.