Probation in Lake Co. drug arrest

A Sandwich, Ill., man was placed on probation for two years Tuesday when he pleaded guilty to drug possession in Lake County circuit court.

Kurtis Gunier, 22, will have his conviction for felony possession of a controlled substance erased from his record if he completes the probation without getting into further trouble with the law.

Assistant State’s Attorney Rod Drobinski said Gunier was a passenger in a car that was stopped for speeding on Route 22 in Bannockburn at 3:55 a.m. on Oct. 24.

The officer searched Gunier and discovered several foil packets containing a total of 1½ grams of DMT, an LSD-like hallucinogen.

Gunier was originally charged with possession of a controlled substance with the intent to deliver, but Drobinski agreed to reduce the charge in exchange for the guilty plea.

In addition to placing Gunier on probation, Associate Judge Daniel Shanes also ordered him to pay a $1,500 fine and to perform 75 hours of community service.

Gunier also must complete any substance abuse treatment counseling his probation officer recommends.

Drobinski said Gunier could have faced up to five years in prison if he had been convicted of the original charge against him.