Guilty Plea Does Not Materialize in Heroin Case

An anticipated guilty plea by one of the three men charged with possession of heroin Nov. 26 by Bannockburn Police did not materialize Tuesday in Lake County Criminal Court in Waukegan.

An attorney for John Bergner, 54, of Northlake indicated Dec. 4 he may plead guilty Tuesday and that is why he did not complete paperwork to seek a reduction of his $25,000 bond by Judge Raymond Collins Dec. 4.

Earlier: Heroin Defendant Considers Guilty Plea

“We want to see a full review of the reports,” Moira Merrure, Bergner’s public defender, told Collins. The case was continued until Dec. 18. At that time Bergner could plead guilty. The court could also hold a preliminary hearing that day.

Bergner’s co-defendants—Aaron Travis, 23, of Vernon Hills and Stanley Rabenda, 48, of Chicago—also have upcoming court appearances. Travis appears before Collins at 9 a.m. Friday while Rabenda will be there at 1:30 p.m. Dec. 18. Both are scheduled for a preliminary hearing.

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