Pot plants, peyote, nitrous oxide found in bus, suitcase in McHenry County, police say; Wauconda man charged

A Wauconda man is accused of possessing 11 pounds of marijuana and nearly half a pound of the hallucinogen peyote found in a bus and suitcase in McHenry County, prosecutors say.

Sean E. Kalinoski, 35, was charged with possession and possession with intent to deliver more than 5,000 grams of marijuana, possession and possession with intent to deliver over 200 grams of peyote, selling or distributing nitrous oxide and possession of a controlled substance, according to to a Lake in the Hills criminal complaint filed in McHenry County court.

Both of the intent to deliver charges are Class X felonies, that can each carry a sentence of 30 years in prison if found guilty.

The charges stem from the discovery by police of potted plants and items used for packaging drugs in a suitcase and in a bus in a parking lot, along with less than 15 grams of heroin, Assistant McHenry County State’s Attorney Anthony Marin said.

Evidence of surveillance footage and cellphone data linked Kalinoski to the location and the drugs, according to prosecutors. In court Dec. 19, Judge Mark Facchini signed a warrant for Kalinoski’s arrest, court records show.

At Kalinoski’s initial court appearance Tuesday, Marin requested that the defendant be denied pending trial because “peyote is a powerful hallucinogen” and “nitrous oxide can lead to death.”

Assistant Public Defender David Giesinger said the drugs Kalinoski is accused of possessing are less addictive and serious than other drugs like cocaine and fentanyl.

Judge Carl Metz denied Kalinoski pretrial release on the grounds that he poses a real and present threat to the community given the “dangerousness of the drugs and the significant quantity” he allegedly possessed.

“The drugs, like Mr. Giesinger mentioned, are on the lower end of the spectrum; nevertheless, they are drugs that are harmful to the community,” the judge said.

Prosecutors also cited what they said were two previous drug convictions in 2013 and 2021 that were less serious charges than the current Class X charges. It’s unclear where those cases were filed.

“The defendant is seeming to be escalating,” Metz said.

Kalinoski is scheduled to appear in court on Monday.