18-year-old gets triple the bail prosecutors sought on charges of threats to kill teens
Bail was set at $3 million - triple what prosecutors sought - for an 18-year-old Grayslake man accused of threatening over social media to kill two 16-year-olds and shoot up their school.
Michael Drees faces two felony disorderly conduct charges. Among the threats he is accused of messaging the teens over Snapchat was that he would chop their bodies and mail them to their parents, Lake County Assistant State's Attorney Dino Katris said at a hearing Wednesday morning.
"He said in Snapchat messages 'I'm going to kill your whole family, be ready to die tmr,'" said Katris, explaining that "tmr" meant tomorrow.
Some of the threats were sexually violent, Katris said.
Katris asked Judge Theodore Potkonjak to set Drees' bail at $1 million.
"I was going to give $2 million," Potkonjak replied, which made Drees audibly gasp. "This is as disturbing as stuff I've heard in a long time. Actually, tell you the truth, $3 million."
Potkonjak's decision means Drees would have to post $300,000 cash to be released from jail while the case is pending. Gregory Ticsay, the public defender assigned to represent Drees, said it was unlikely his client could afford that amount.
Drees was taken into custody by Grayslake police officers early Wednesday morning, Grayslake Police Deputy Chief Jeff Myhra said Thursday.
Myhra said the department's investigation began after one of the victims came forward. Grayslake investigators used various resources to identify Drees, he said.
At Wednesday's hearing, Katris said that when police encountered Drees there was a significant amount of cannabis in plain view as well as Xanax pills for which Drees said he did not have a prescription.
One of the few times Drees spoke at the hearing was to tell the judge that he was in counseling.
Drees also spoke early in the hearing when Potkonjak asked him how old he was.
"I just turned 18 Aug. 25," Drees said.
"I guess this is your birthday present," Potkonjak replied.
Drees is due back in court Tuesday for a bond review hearing.