DuPage County man faces multiple drug-related charges after cannabis plants found on property: sheriff

A unincorporated DuPage County man was faces several drug-related charges after the DuPage County Sheriff on Monday reportedly found several illegal cannabis plants, weapons and ammunition in his house.

Acting on a tip from an outside agency, sheriff’s deputies executed a search warrant April 9 at a house in the 10S200 block of Skyline Drive in unincorporated DuPage County near Burr Ridge.

As a result of the search, Eric D. Peterson, 42, of the same address, was charged with the manufacture or delivery of cannabis of more than 2,000 but less than 5,000 grams, possession of more than 2,000 but less than 5,000 grams of cannabis, producing or possessing more than 20 but less than 50 cannabis plants, two misdemeanor counts of possession of a firearm without a valid FOID card and one misdemeanor count of possessing ammunition without a valid FOID card, according to a sheriff’s department news release.

“I would like to highlight the skill and professionalism of our deputies to make this arrest and shut this illegal operation down with no use of force, despite the suspect having several weapons,” DuPage Sheriff Sheriff James Mendrick said in the release. “These well-trained and highly skilled deputies took several drugs and weapons off the street and are to be commended.”

Peterson, who was wanted on a $50,000 arrest warrant issued April 12, turned himself in to authorities that night. He posted the required $5,000 bond and was released. Additional charges are expected as this investigation continues. Peterson does not yet have a future court date.

“I commend DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick and his office for their efforts in shutting down this alleged illegal cannabis operation,” DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin said in the release. “While possession and use of cannabis is legal in Illinois, it is still illegal to grow and possess in the amounts alleged in this case.”

In Illinois, medical marijuana patients are legally allowed to grow five plants at a time and these plants cannot be more than five inches tall. But non-patients are not allowed to grow marijuana at home.