Bond lowered for suspect in massive McHenry Co. pot bust

A judge lowered bond Friday for a suburban man charged in connection with a multimillion-dollar marijuana growing operation in McHenry County, but not low enough for him to go free.

Raymond T. Holland, who has recent addresses in Palatine and Bloomingdale Township, remained in custody at the McHenry County jail even after a judge decreased his bond from $100,000 to $60,000.

Holland, 52, has been in the jail since his Oct. 29 arrest on conspiracy and unlawful production of cannabis plants filed in connection with the discovery of a significant indoor growing ring based out of several rented houses in McHenry County and perhaps other parts of the suburbs.

Appearing in court in a wheelchair after suffering a heart attack about 10 days ago, Holland was asking Judge Sharon Prather to lower his bond to $25,000, which would allow him to go free by posting $2,500. If released, Holland said, he would live with family in East Dundee while awaiting trial.

His attorney, Senior Assistant Public Defender Richard Behof, noted that unlike co-defendant Philip Koeckritz - also held on $100,000 bond - Holland has almost no criminal history and could receive probation if found guilty.

"Having the same bond as the co-defendant is unjustified," Behof said.

Prosecutors objected to any reduction, however, saying an investigation into the growing operations is ongoing, and more charges are possible.

"The defendant is facing very serious felony charges, whether he can get probation or not," Assistant McHenry County State's Attorney David Johnston said.

Both Holland and Koeckritz, 35, of Palatine, have pleaded not guilty to the charges, which stem from a McHenry County Sheriff's investigation launched with the discovery of nearly 1,500 cannabis plants growing in a rented house in McHenry. the investigation led them to two more homes - one in Woodstock, the other in Johnsburg - where police say they found evidence that millions of dollars in marijuana had been cultivated.