Case of $1.9 million in drugs flown into state to remain in Kane County
The case of a California man accused of flying some $1.9 million of marijuana and cocaine to a South suburban airport will remain under the jurisdiction of Kane County, a judge ruled this week.
The attorney for Matthew S. Robinson, 34, of Saugus, California, argued that his client was improperly taken 69 miles to Kane County for an eventual bond hearing after his Feb. 1 arrest at the Lansing Airport.
State law requires a defendant arrested without a warrant - as Robinson was - be taken to the nearest and most accessible judge, which in his case would have been a courthouse 13 miles away in Markham, defense lawyer Stephen Komie said.
"The arresting officers violated that policy by not adhering to it," Komie argued before Kane County Judge D.J. Tegeler.
Robinson is charged with felony cannabis trafficking - he is accused of possessing about 80 pounds of marijuana in plane that, according to an arrest report, he purchased after he lost his dispensary license in California.
Robinson also was indicted by a statewide grand jury in March on felony possession and trafficking of more than 900 grams of cocaine. Robinson, who has pleaded not guilty to all charges, faces up to 120 years in prison and a $500,000 fine if convicted.
Assistant Kane County State's Attorney Kelly Orland said Robinson was taken to bond call within 36 hours of his arrest and the law allows for police to continue to investigate after an arrest. Also, she noted, in certain situations, such as drugs being transported via plane or train, authorities may prosecute in any county.
Tegeler ruled that he did not see any evidence of "forum shopping" by authorities and it didn't make any sense to send Robinson to Cook County for a new bond hearing only to have him sent back to Kane County afterward.
"The statute makes it clear that the case can be here," Tegeler said.
Robinson is being held at the Kane County jail on $5 million bail, meaning he must post $500,000 and prove it came from legal sources to be released while his case is pending. His next court date is June 14.
Komie intends to argue for a bond reduction, saying his client's bail is unreasonably high.