Des Plaines man gets probation for accepting marijuana package in Elgin

One of two men accused of accepting a package containing 7½ pounds of marijuana earlier this year in Elgin has been sentenced to two years of probation and a fine.

George K. Owens, 25, of the 0-99 block of North Sixth Avenue in Des Plaines, faced up to 15 years in prison after his arrest Feb. 2 on a felony charge of cannabis trafficking of 2,500 to 5,000 grams.

Owens and Carzell Martin IV, 18, formerly of the 400 block of Addison Street in Elgi and now living in Country Club Hills, were charged after authorities intercepted a package containing marijuana, secured a search warrant and waited for it to be delivered.

According to the Kane County sheriff's office, Martin accepted the package on Addison Street and then Owens drove to the house and went inside. Police later executed the warrant, arresting both men and seizing some 3,385 grams of marijuana.

The drugs, officials said, had an estimated value of $50,000.

Owens pleaded guilty last week and was sentenced to 24 months of probation by Judge Clint Hull, court records show.

Owens' attorney, Gene Ognibene, said his client was a good candidate for probation. Owens had no previous arrests and works full time, Ognibene said.

If Owens violates his probation, he could be resentenced to up to 15 years in prison.

Owens also must pay a drug fine of $10,000. Some of that money was taken from the $10,000 bond Owens had posted in the case, records show.

Martin's case is pending. He was released from jail after posting $7,500 bond and is next due in court Sept. 5.