Prosecutors seek to seize Huntley homes related to alleged drug ring

WOODSTOCK – Court documents revealed more details on an alleged drug ring as prosecutors made moves to seize several Huntley homes believed to be involved in the crimes.

Authorities have called the drug ring believed to have been run by Nicholas A. Domino, 45, and Rocio Domino, 37, an "extensive" operation, and legal documents filed in McHenry County reveal authorities had been watching the family for some time before their arrest in May.

Assistant State’s Attorney Randi Freese initiated civil forfeiture proceedings last week involving two homes the Dominos once owned or lived in.

According to Freese’s petition, DEA agents had been intercepting Nicholas Domino’s cellphone calls since November 2014. There were 20,273 calls and about 6,575 pertained to narcotics. Additionally, surveillance officers witnessed 74 narcotics transactions, the prosecutor said.

The couple was living at the home at 9672 Bennington Drive in Huntley in May when DEA agents raided it and arrested Nicholas and Rocio, along with Nicholas' half-brother and two others.

Nicholas and Rocio are facing more than 40 felony drug charges combined, including some that carry a minimum sentence of six years in prison. They are in the McHenry County Jail and have pleaded not guilty.

Detectives found more than 11 pounds of marijuana, 43 MDMA pills and other controlled substances at the Bennington Drive home, authorities said.

A simultaneous search warrant of property at 10123 Ashley St. in Huntley turned up an additional 150 pounds of marijuana. That home, court records indicated, was empty and once owned by Rocio Domino.
Both homes were owned by family members and sold by the Dominos on the same date in 2013.

A third search of a storage unit in Lake in the Hills, believed to be rented by Nicholas Domino, uncovered more marijuana. In all, authorities seized 295 pounds of marijuana, more than 60 pills of MDMA, more than 500 prescription painkillers and 25 grams of cocaine.

The street value of the drugs was estimated to be $700,000. Police already have seized nine vehicles, one motorcycle and televisions totaling more than $150,000. According to Freese, the couple was unemployed and collecting $900 a month in public aid.

McHenry County Judge Sharon Prather on June 19 determined there was enough probable cause that could result in asset forfeiture. The Dominos then have 45 days to file a claim, Freese explained. If they fail to do so, the homes can be seized and eventually sold.

The criminal charges against the Dominos are also pending before Prather.