WOODSTOCK – The last defendant in an alleged drug ring run out of a Harvard bar was arrested over the weekend.
A warrant was issued Oct. 17 for Antonio M. Figueroa, 31, 506 N. Second St. in Harvard, at which time he was placed on the McHenry County Sheriff's Office most wanted list.
Authorities believed Figueroa had fled McHenry County, but he was arrested Sunday in Harvard.
Figueroa and seven others were charged with at least one count of delivery of a controlled substance for allegedly selling drugs out of KB's Bar and Grill in Harvard. Because the bar is within 1,000 feet of a school, all were charged with Class X felonies, which are punishable with between six and 30 years in prison.
The arrests were the result of a yearlong investigation by the McHenry County Sheriff's Office. In court documents, prosecutors said that deputies made at least eight cocaine buys from the individuals and observed drug money being placed into the bar's cash register.
Authorities have said they confiscated 65 grams of cocaine, two codeine pills and $1,647 in cash. The drugs had a street value of $6,500.
Figueroa remains in custody at the McHenry County Jail. His bond was set at $150,000.
In what one defense attorney called "unconstitutional" and a "rare" move, the McHenry County State's Attorney's Office filed motions to inspect the source of each of the defendant's bond money, should they be able to post.
"This isn't the first time we've done it," Micheal Combs, chief of the McHenry County State's Attorney's Office Criminal Division, said. "... There are statutes in place that allow us to do that. Unconstitutional? Really?"
Sworn affidavits or a hearing are required to make sure the posted funds aren't drug money, Combs said.
Two of Figueroa's co-defendants have posted bond since their arrests Oct. 17. Kelli Figueroa, 31, posted $15,000 to be released Oct. 22, and William Gonzalez, 38, posted $10,000 on Friday.
The remaining defendants are Kelly N. Bush, 36; Roger Gonzalez, 47; Nicholas M. Stegg, 22; Aaron A. Brennecka, 22; Juan Oros, 20; and William Gonzalez, 38. They remain in custody at the McHenry County Jail.
Antonio Figueroa's next court date is Tuesday.
