Algonquin man pleads not guilty in second drug case within six months

A 36-year-old Algonquin man pleaded not guilty Friday to possessing and trafficking thousands of grams of marijuana, the second felony case in which he's been charged in the past six months.

Steven B. Radak, of the 0-100 block of Twickenham Court, is charged with marijuana trafficking as well as possession, delivery and possession with intent to deliver marijuana.

The trafficking charge carries a sentencing range of six to 30 years after a conviction, but because of the amount of marijuana he is accused of possessing, Radak is eligible for an extended term and could face a minimum of 12 years in prison, McHenry County Judge Tiffany Davis said.

In December, the McHenry County sheriff's Narcotics Task Force learned that Radak was receiving several large packages through the mail, which they suspected contained marijuana.

Radak was seen dropping them off at another residence, according to prosecutors. After obtaining a search warrant, police searched the packages and reported finding marijuana, authorities said.

Police then obtained a search warrant for Radak's home, where they said they found more marijuana, the shipping labels, a vacuum sealer, a scale and other packaging materials, according to prosecutors.

At the time of his arrest in December, Radak was free on bond in a Crystal Lake drug case. He was charged in August with possession with intent to deliver 30 to 500 grams of marijuana, possession of 100 to 500 grams of marijuana and a petty offense for driving with expired registration.

If convicted in both cases, he would be required to serve his sentences consecutively.

He remained in the McHenry County jail as of Friday afternoon on a $100,000 bail. He must post $10,000 to be released pretrial.