Wonder Lake: McHenry County fugitive jailed on 40 drug and gun counts

Police in Illinois have taken into custody a man who ranked second on a regional sheriff’s most-wanted list, citing a pattern of drug distribution and vehicle evasion that persisted while he was on probation. Michael A. Smith, 36, of McHenry, was arrested on Oct. 30 following a joint investigation by McHenry and Lake County Narcotics Task Forces.

A 40-count criminal complaint filed in McHenry County court charges Smith with eight Class X counts of being an armed habitual felon and possessing stolen firearms as a felon. The charges also include manufacturing and delivering heroin, fentanyl, and marijuana, as well as possessing cocaine, methamphetamine, and psilocybin. Prosecutors said the seizure included a scale and thousands of plastic baggies with cut corners, items typically used to package drugs for sale.

Detectives said they acted on tips from multiple anonymous sources who identified Smith as a supplier operating from a residence in Wonder Lake. Officers conducted trash pulls at the property and found baggies with residue that tested positive for cocaine. After executing a search warrant, they recovered eight firearms, two of which were stolen from Indiana. The sweep also yielded 1,040 grams of marijuana, six grams each of heroin, methamphetamine, and fentanyl, more than 100 pills of Schedule 2 and 3 narcotics, and cocaine.

Assistant State’s Attorney Henry Sugden IV argued for pretrial detention, describing Smith as a dangerous flight risk. Sugden noted that Smith previously pleaded guilty to manufacturing and delivering 500 to 2,000 grams of marijuana, resulting in 100 hours of public service, two years of felony probation, and 92 days of intermittent jail time. The prosecutor stated that Smith violated these terms and failed to report for jail time, continuing to move drugs across two counties while a warrant was out for his arrest.

During the period of his probation violation, police in two different towns attempted to stop Smith for driving. Sugden said Smith sped off both times, weaving through traffic at speeds exceeding 100 mph. These incidents led to separate charges of aggravated fleeing and eluding. On the day of his arrest, Smith attempted to flee on an electric scooter before struggling with officers. Judge Cynthia Lamb granted pretrial detention, stating the incidents demonstrated a high likelihood of willful flight to avoid prosecution.

Defense attorney Jason Dreifuss did not dispute the inventory of drugs and guns found in the Wonder Lake home. However, he argued that the state failed to prove by clear and convincing evidence that the items belonged to Smith. Dreifuss said Smith was on a scooter down the street when arrested and had no keys, lease, or payment records linking him to the residence. The only identifying item found, Dreifuss said, was a pill bottle with Smith’s name, which he suggested indicated lawful drug use rather than criminal distribution.

Dreifuss noted that trash pulls at the residence yielded no mail or documents connecting Smith to the address. He argued the evidence linking his client to the most serious Class X offenses was very thin. Smith remained in McHenry County custody following the hearing, with no bond set.