A Chicago man faces criminal charges for possessing several illegal drugs, including LSD, cocaine, and amphetamine while driving through South Elgin in February.

Michael A. Venegas

Kane County State’s Attorney Joe McMahon has charged 20-year-old Michael A. Venegas with the offenses of:

• Unlawful possession of a controlled substance, a Class 1 felony.
• Unlawful possession of a controlled substance, a Class 4 felony, three counts.
• Unlawful possession of cannabis, a Class A misdemeanor, two counts.

Kane County prosecutors allege that on Feb. 22, 2019, Venegas possessed lysergic acid diethylamide, codeine, cocaine, amphetamine pills, more than 30 grams of marijuana and a waxy substance containing marijuana.

According to South Elgin police, they stopped the car Venegas was driving for an alleged traffic violation, and searched the car when Venegas began acting suspiciously. Police allegedly found the drugs when they searched the car, and sent the suspected drugs to a laboratory for testing.

After Kane County prosecutors authorized the felony charges, Kane County Associate Judge Salvatore LoPiccolo signed a warrant for Venegas’ arrest, and set his bail at $100,000 with 10 percent ($10,000) to apply for bond.

Venegas posted $10,000 today at the Kane County Sheriff’s Office and was released from the jail. His next court appearance is scheduled for 9 a.m. Jan. 7, 2020, in Courtroom 311 at the Kane County Judicial Center.

The charges against Venegas are not proof of guilt. Venegas is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the state’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

SOURCE: Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office news release. You can read SAO news releases directly on this page of the State’s Attorney’s Office website.