An Elgin man faces prison for possessing large amounts of synthetic narcotics at his home, as well as selling synthetic narcotics at his Algonquin business.

John G. Monteleone, 48, of the 100 block of Brookside Drive in Elgin, was convicted last week of unlawful possession of more than 200 grams of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, a Class X felony, unlawful possession of more than 200 grams of a controlled substance, a Class 1 felony, unlawful delivery of less than 50 grams of a controlled substance, a Class 2 felony, and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, a Class A misdemeanor.

John G. Monteleone (CREDIT: Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office Facebook page)

Monteleone waived his right to a jury trial.

Kane County prosecutors presented evidence that on Sept. 25, 2013, John Monteleone and his wife, co-defendant Tracy Monteleone, 46, of the same address, were knowingly in possession of, with the intent to sell, more than 200 grams of a controlled chemical substance that is commonly known and distributed as synthetic marijuana. In addition, John Monteleone was in possession of between 2.5 and 10 grams of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

The North Central Narcotics Task Force and the Algonquin Police Department conducted the three-month investigation. At about noon Sept. 25, 2013, the agencies executed a search warrant at John Monteleone’s business in the 1400 block of Commerce Drive, Algonquin, in McHenry County. Authorities seized nearly 200 grams of an analog of a controlled substance, commonly known as “spice,” a synthetic cannabinoid.

Authorities then went to the Monteleone’s home in the 100 block of Brookside Drive, Elgin, and found in Tracy Monteleone’s vehicle approximately 3,200 grams of the same analog synthetic cannabinoid.

On Sept. 25, 2014, Tracy Monteleone pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of more than 200 grams of a controlled substance, a Class 1 felony, and was sentenced to four years’ probation.

Associate Judge Linda Abrahamson set John Monteleone’s next court appearance for 10 a.m. Dec. 21, 2016, for motions and sentencing. He faces a sentence of between six and 30 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

Monteleone had been free on $2,500 bond. Bond was revoked upon conviction and he was taken into custody.

The case was investigated by the North Central Narcotics Task Force and prosecuted by Kane County Assistant State’s Attorney Kelly M. Orland and Illinois Assistant Attorney General Gregg Gansmann.

“Synthetic marijuana in its many forms is dangerous and causes harm and even death to people who ingest it. As it began to gain popularity, the Illinois General Assembly passed laws to ban it. Our office will continue to prosecute the drug dealers who sell this product,” Kane County State’s Attorney Joe McMahon said. “Thanks to Attorney General Lisa Madigan and her staff for working with us on this joint prosecution. This is an example of the success we can achieve through collaboration.”

Madigan said the conviction is important.

“As synthetic drug use began to rise in Illinois, particularly among teenagers and young adults, my office worked quickly to craft the new law that outlaws the sale of these often deadly substances,” she said. “This case should send a message to drug manufacturers and sellers that these drugs have no place in our communities.”

SOURCE: Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office news release. To follow news releases directly from the SAO, visit the State’s Attorney’s website and Facebook page.