Lake Zurich man pleads guilty in fatal drug case
A 21-year-old Lake Zurich man could be sentenced to up to 14 years behind bars after he pleaded guilty to attempted drug-induced homicide, authorities said.
Cody Searles was initially charged with two counts drug-induced homicide in August 2011 for the death of Christian Medina, 18, of Lake Zurich, Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Steven DeRue said.
Searles took a plea deal with prosecutors about two weeks ago that reduced the charges against him in order to expedite his court issues, DeRue said. Searles is due back in court for sentencing Oct. 2, DeRue said.
Searles was 19 when he was arrested Aug. 7, 2011 after he gave Medina and an unidentified 17-year-old girl heroin that put all three in the hospital, Lake Zurich Police officials said at the time of his arrest.
The girl and Searles survived, but Medina died in the hospital three days later, authorities said.
Searles remains behind bars while awaiting sentencing, DeRue said.
Searles was also initially charged with two counts of delivery of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of cannabis, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia and unlawful possession of controlled substance when arrested.