Round Lake Park couple plead guilty to possession, battery charges

A Round Lake Park couple arrested for drug possession after they overdosed on heroin pleaded guilty Thursday in Lake County Circuit Court.

James and Lisa Knowles were placed on probation after settling their court cases on their arraignment dates.

Lisa Knowles, 37, pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance that will erase the conviction from her record if she completes the two-year term without getting into further trouble with the law.

James Knowles, 43, was sentenced to 30 months of probation after pleading guilty to an aggravated battery pending against him, and the drug charge was dropped.

Assistant State's Attorney Fred Day said James Knowles called for an ambulance Feb. 17 after his wife passed out shortly after they both injected the drug.

While paramedics and police were at the Knowles' trailer in the 400 block of Center Lane, James Knowles began showing the symptoms of overdosing and was treated as well.

Police found about five grams of heroin inside the trailer that they said contained traces of fentanyl, a painkiller stronger than morphine that is typically administered to cancer patients.

In accepting the plea agreements, Associate Judge Theodore Potkonjak also fined Lisa Knowles $500 and ordered her to perform 100 hours of community service.

Day said James Knowles was charged with aggravated battery Feb. 12 after he fought with a security guard who stopped Knowles from stealing a bottle of liquor from a Round Lake Beach store.

In addition to the probation, Potkonjak sentenced James Knowles to 90 days in jail and ordered him to perform 100 hours of community service.

Day said both faced up to three years in prison on the drug charge, and James Knowles could have been sentenced to up to five years for aggravated battery.