Second man guilty in pot plane case

The second of two California brothers accused of flying an airplane carrying 170 pounds of marijuana into Lake County pleaded guilty Tuesday.

Just as his brother did earlier this month, Nicholas Fejer, 23, agreed to testify against the Aurora man accused of setting up and financing the May 4 deal.

Nicholas Fejer and Michael Fejer, 27, both of Oceanside, Cal., were arrested by agents of the Lake County Metropolitan Enforcement Group shortly after the twin-engine Beech Baron landed at Waukegan Regional Airport.

The plane contained eight pieces of luggage containing 170 pounds of marijuana. Nicholas Fejer said the pot was loaded into the plane on May 3 by himself, his brother and Brian Daugherty of Aurora.

When he pleaded guilty June 2, Michael Fejer said Daugherty had purchased the marijuana and had given him $70,000 of the $90,000 purchase price of the airplane.

After arresting the Fejers, MEG agents waited until Daugherty arrived at the airport carrying keys to the hanger where the plane was parked and took him into custody.

Assistant State’s Attorney Suzanne Willett said police found $500,000 in cash in Daugherty’s car after he was arrested.

Nicholas Fejer pleaded guilty to possession of marijuana and faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison when he returns to court Aug. 26.

His brother accepted a similar offer from prosecutors. Charges of marijuana trafficking against both were dropped in exchange for the guilty pleas.

Daugherty, 30, of the 1000 block of Chelsea Lane, has pleaded not guilty to marijuana trafficking and possession charges and faces up to 60 years in prison.

Willett said Michael Fejer posted $30,000 in cash and has returned to California to await his Aug. 26 court date.

Daugherty posted $100,000 cash for bond shortly after his arrest and is due in court July 21.

Nicholas Fejer is held in the Lake County jail on $100,000 bond.