Man accused in marijuana case pleads not guilty

The second of three men accused of trying to smuggle 170 pounds of California marijuana into northern Illinois pleaded not guilty Thursday in Lake County circuit court.

Nicholas Fejer, 23, of Oceanside, Cal., faces up to 60 years in prison if convicted of marijuana trafficking and possession of marijuana.

Assistant State's Attorney Victor O'Block said Fejer and his brother, Michael Fejer, 27, also of Oceanside, Cal., flew a twin engine Beech Baron light airplane into Waukegan Regional Airport on May 7.

Alerted by a tip, agents of the Lake County Metropolitan Enforcement Group were waiting at the airport and searched the aircraft after it landed.

Police discovered 170 pounds of marijuana hidden in luggage in the cargo area of the plane and in its nose, O'Block said.

Both men were taken into custody and the plane remained parked in a hanger until the following morning.

On May 8, police said, Brian Daugherty, 30, of the 1000 block of Chelsea Lane in Aurora, entered the hanger and began removing the luggage from the plane.

He was arrested as well, and was released from jail after posting $100,000 in cash against a $1 million bond.

Associate Judge Theodore Potkonjak scheduled a trial for Nicholas Fejer, who is held on $1 million bond, for June 24 and ordered him to appear in court June 14.

Michael Fejer, who is held on $750,000 bond, pleaded not guilty May 31 and is due to appear in court June 6.

Daugherty is due in court June 9 for arraignment.