Wonder Lake man sentenced to 5 years for drug case

WOODSTOCK – A judge ordered a five-year prison term on 2012 drugs charges for a Wonder Lake man prosecutors said was a known heroin dealer and once linked to a drug-induced homicide.

The defense attorney for 33-year-old Andrew J. Lazar said his client's role in the latest crime was minimal.

Assistant State's Attorney Robert Zalud said Lazar in 2009 delivered the fatal dose of heroin that killed 36-year-old Rustin Cawthon in McHenry. Cawthon's former girlfriend, Amanda Coots, was later convicted of drug-induced homicide stemming from his death, and said at the time that Lazar sold her the heroin that Cawthon ingested.

Special Public Defender Justin Hansen pointed out that Lazar never was criminally charged with anything stemming from Cawthon's death.

For the latest charge, Lazar was arrested in 2012 after giving a ride to Michelle Djus, in which Djus sold heroin to a confidential informant.

"Mr. Lazar gave Ms. Djus a ride and that's it. He did not set up the sale, he did not take the money, he did not give the drugs," Hansen said.

Lazar previously pleaded guilty to unlawful delivery of a controlled substance, a Class X felony. Attorneys agreed to seek a sentencing range of a less serious Class 2 felony.

Assistant State's Attorney Robert Zalud asked the judge for seven years, or the maximum sentence.

"They are going to focus on his minimal activity, your honor, but don't refrain from sentencing him to prison," Zalud said.

Noting that Lazar was on parole for an earlier drug offense at the time of his arrest, Prather didn't believe that the Wonder Lake man was a completely unwitting party to the drug sale.

"You knew what was going on, don't tell me you didn't, I know better," Prather said.

In a statement before the Judge, Lazar lashed out at the former prosecutor handling his case and the Northwest Herald for publishing an article on the crime.