Sheriff: Algonquin residents arrested after 5-month drug investigation
An Algonquin couple is facing multiple heroin-related charges after a five-month narcotics investigation, the McHenry County sheriff's office said Tuesday. A third resident living with the couple was also charged after authorities searched their home in the 1000 block of Oak Lane, officials said.
Heather L. Vasil, 23, and Paul S. Benzinger, 28, were served arrest warrants at their home Friday by the U.S. Marshals Service Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force, according to a news release from the sheriff's office.
Vasil was charged with two counts each of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance, unlawful delivery of a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a park and unlawful possession of a controlled substance, officials said. Benzinger was charged with three counts each of unlawful delivery and possession of a controlled substance.
During the five-month investigation, detectives from the sheriff's office Narcotics Task Force seized 8.5 grams of heroin from the couple, police said.
After being granted a search warrant, authorities said they searched the home and collected an additional 7.6 grams of heroin, 1.3 grams of cannabis, drug paraphernalia in both the residence and the front yard, and $896 in cash.
The estimated street value for the heroin seized is $3,220.
Zachary D. Armijo, 25, who lives with the couple, was charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia, officials said. His bond is set at $1,500, and his next court date is March 15.
Officials said they turned over a 2-year-old child to a family member and notified the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.
As a result of the search, authorities said, Vasil and Benzinger were also charged with unlawful delivery of a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a park, unlawful delivery of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, unlawful possession of cannabis and endangering the life of a child.
Benzinger's bond was set at $39,000, and Vasil's at $32,500. Both are expected to appear in court Wednesday.