Wauconda firefighter facing drug charges after traffic stop

A firefighter now on unpaid leave from the Wauconda Fire Protection District is facing felony drug charges following a traffic stop Saturday night in Lake Zurich.

Lake Zurich police said Wauconda fire/medic Chandler Vandermeer, 36, of Lakemoor, was a passenger in a vehicle stopped for a traffic offense about 11:23 p.m. on Route 12 south of Route 22.

A search of the vehicle turned up a “significant amount” of cocaine and fentanyl, with other items police believed were consistent with the distribution of controlled substances, according to the Lake County state's attorney's office.

Police said the vehicle’s driver, Lazarus J. Holden, 23, of Lakemoor, is charged with unlawful possession of fentanyl and cocaine with intent to deliver, both Class X felonies, and unlawful possession of cocaine and fentanyl. He also is charged with aggravated driving under the influence of drugs and other traffic offenses, police said.

Vandermeer initially was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and released. Upgraded charges were approved Tuesday by the state’s attorney’s office, according to Lake Zurich police.

Vandermeer now is charged with manufacturing or delivery of 15 to 100 grams of cocaine, manufacturing or delivery of 15 to 100 grams of fentanyl, possession of 15 to 100 grams of cocaine, and possession of a controlled substance, all felonies, according to the state’s attorney’s office.

Holden was in court Sunday and remains in the Lake County jail, according to the jail website.

Vandermeer was in court Wednesday and was released on pretrial conditions including a curfew, that she not possess or use illegal drugs or alcohol, and she undergo random drug testing. Her next scheduled hearing is Sept. 22.

The Wauconda Fire Protection District in a statement Thursday morning said an off-duty firefighter was arrested but did not comment on specific allegations or circumstances.

Officials later released her name, adding that she was facing several charges. Vandermeer was a full-time firefighter/paramedic and had been with the department five years, according to Division Chief Mike DaValle.

She is on unpaid administrative leave, DaValle said. He declined to comment potential future actions.

“We're working through our next steps,” he said.

mzawislak@dailyherald.com