Bond reduced, but Streamwood man stays in jail in pot growing case

A judge lowered bond Thursday for a Streamwood man linked to two indoor marijuana growing farms at rented properties in McHenry County, but not quite enough for him to get out of jail.

Joseph R. Mueller, 23, remained in custody at the McHenry County jail even after Judge Sharon Prather agreed to drop the amount he needs to post to go free from $10,000 to $6,500.

Prather said she agreed to the reduction over prosecutors' objections because Mueller, of the 100 block of Cedar Circle, has little prior criminal history.

Mueller faces charges of unlawful manufacturing of cannabis, unlawful possession of cannabis, unlawful production of cannabis sativa plants and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia stemming from police raids late last month on two homes in western McHenry County. The raids, police said, netted about 100 marijuana plants and 61 pounds of marijuana, together valued at about $162,000.

Assistant McHenry County State's Attorney David Johnston said evidence recovered from the houses pointed to a sophisticated operation involving not just growing, but also cloning, marijuana plants.

Although Mueller faces a minimum six years in prison if found guilty of all charges, his attorney, Tim Roellig, argued that would not be a flight risk if let free while awaiting trial. In fact, he noted, Mueller turned himself in when he learned he was facing charges.

"He actively made reasonable efforts to move this case forward," Roellig said.

Mueller is scheduled to return to court Feb. 25 for possible arraignment. A co-defendant, Michael Sanchez, 23, of Streamwood, is free after posting $2,000 bond on a less serious felony drug charge.