Man denies possession of Ecstasy pills

A Vernon Hills man pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges he had 16 pills of a powerful hallucinogen in his car.

Brian Krasner, 21, faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted of possession of a controlled substance but would also be eligible for probation.

Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Danielle Pascucci said Krasner, of the 400 block of Torrey Pines Road, was arrested about 1:55 a.m. on Sept. 26 by Vernon Hills police.

Pascucci said an officer saw a van Krasner was driving had gotten stuck on Route 45 after it was driven over a curb, and he stopped to investigate.

The officer suspected Krasner was intoxicated, Pascucci said, and a breath test showed Krasner’s blood alcohol content was .141 percent.

After Krasner was arrested for driving under the influence, Pascucci said, the officer found 16 pills of Ecstasy in a plastic bag behind the center console.

Krasner is free from custody after posting $1,000 for bond and is due to appear in court Feb. 23.