St. Charles man accused of growing 112 marijuana plants in his basement

A 62-year-old man is accused of growing 112 marijuana plants in the basement of his St. Charles home.

Robert E. Jaeckel is free on bond after his arrest late last week on felony charges of possession/production of 50 to 200 marijuana plants and possession of marijuana with intent to deliver, according to Kane County court records.

Prosecutors filed a motion requiring Jaeckel to show his bond money did not come from proceeds of illegal activity. In it, they stated the pot was found in a “grow operation” at his home on the 1700 block of South Fifth Place.

In addition to the plants, prosecutors also say Jaeckel had about 5.5 pounds of marijuana at his home.

Kane prosecutors estimate the value of plants and dried marijuana at $386,000.

Jaeckel was arrested June 23 by members of the North Central Narcotics Task Force, which is a unit of the state police, records show.

Illinois State Police Master Sgt. Backus, who is task force director, did not respond to messages left this week and last Friday.

Jaeckel, who does not have any previous criminal arrests in Kane County, appeared briefly in court Wednesday and is next due before a judge on July 29 and is expected to retain an attorney by then.

If convicted of the most severe charge, Jaeckel faces a punishment ranging from probation to up to seven years in prison.