Man gets second probation on drug charges
A Gurnee man was sentenced to 18 months probation Wednesday after pleading guilty to illegal possession of a prescription drug.
Ryan Giarelli, 21, was already serving a probationary term on drug charges when he was arrested in the current case by Lake Zurich police.
Lake County Assistant State's Attorney Brett Henne said police were called about a suspicious vehicle in the 1400 block of Belle Plain Road on March 19, 2009.
Officers found Giarelli in the car, Henne said, and later discovered he had four pills of the anti-anxiety drug Xanax in his possession.
On May 5, 2008, Giarelli was placed on probation for two years after pleading guilty to possession of seven ounces of marijuana police found when they searched his home in the 1400 block of Belle Plain Road.
In addition to the probation, Circuit Judge James Booras ordered Giarelli to pay a $500 fine, make a $200 contribution to the substance abuse treatment agency Nicasa and perform 50 hours of public service.
Henne said Giarelli could have faced up to three years in prison if convicted in either case.