Pot plea nets Gurnee mayor’s son supervision
By Beth Kramer ekramer@stmedianetwork.com November 8, 2012 6:48PM
Jared Kovarik
Updated: December 10, 2012 6:14AM
The youngest son of Gurnee Mayor Kristina Kovarik admitted to using marijuana when he took a plea deal in Lake County Circuit Court on Thursday.
Jared Kovarik, 19, pleaded guilty to Class C misdemeanor possession of cannabis before Judge Theodore Potkonjak. He received one year of supervision, was ordered to perform 30 hours of public service, attend a four-hour substance abuse class at the College of Lake County and pay $876 in court costs.
Kovarik entered the plea deal through his attorney, Joseph Rominski. In exchange for the plea, the possession of a fraudulent ID was dropped.
Assistant State’s Attorney Paul Bishop said this was a “fair, reasonable disposition” because he pleaded guilty and had zero criminal history.
Kovarik’s mother said Thursday that her son understood the seriousness of his mistake. He could have spent up to 30 days in jail and paid a fine up to $1,500.
“As a mother, I can only hope he has learned from his mistakes,” the mayor said, noting her son will comply with everything the court ordered him to do.
He was one of four individuals charged with possessing a small amount of pot at KeyLime Cove in June. Gurnee police responded to a possession of cannabis complaint, according to police reports.
KeyLime Cove security investigated a suspicious vehicle in the parking lot with people inside. A security guard noted the odor of marijuana, according to the police report. Police found 26 grams of pot inside the vehicle.
The vehicle’s driver, Michael Replogle, 20, of Gurnee, has pleaded guilty to an unlawful possession of cannabis with intent to deliver misdemeanor offense, according to court records. He was placed on 18 months of supervision, ordered to perform 200 hours of public service and ordered to make a $500 donation to drug court, according to court records.
Jeffrey Malizia, 19, and Jordan Clark, 20, both of Gurnee, were charged with Class C misdemeanor possession of cannabis. The charge against Malizia was dropped after he completed a four-hour substance abuse class at the College of Lake County and 30 hours of public service, according to court records.
Clark’s case is pending. He is due back in court Nov. 21.
