Crime & Safety
Update: Now State Wants to Take House From Lockport Man Charged With Growing Pot
The Lockport man is being held in jail on a $4 million bond.
Prosecutors are trying to take away the home of a Lockport man who was arrested after federal agents raided his house last Friday, Aug. 12 and charged him with growing pot.
Richard Sherwin, 58, spent the weekend in the Will County jail following the search by agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration. He must post a $4 million bond for his freedom while the case is pending.
An assistant state’s attorney filed a complaint to take away Sherwin’s Old Orchard Lane home.
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The complaint said DEA agents searched Sherwin’s house and “located a large scale indoor grow operation involving the cultivation of various stages of growth of cannabis plants.”
“Approximately 278 plants were growing inside the residence in an area set up for growing and cultivating cannabis,” the complaint said. “This area included grow lights, an irrigation system, blower fans, humidity control equipment and grow chemicals.”
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Agents found more than 200 pounds of pot in the house, according to the complaint.
Sherwin “admitted he was growing the cannabis and was doing so to make money and had been doing so for the past two to three years,” the complaint said.
“He also stated he has not had a job for approximately 30 years,” the complaint said. “He further stated his wife, Karen Sherwin, has not had a job for approximately 30 years.”
The house was sold to Sherwin for $126,000 in February 2013, according to records from the Will County Recorder’s Office.
Special Agent Leo Hawkins, who is the media contact for the DEA’s Chicago Division, said Sherwin’s arrest was the result of a joint effort between his agency, local law enforcement entities and the community.
“This is a community, that if you were living there, you wouldn’t want (a marijuana growing operation) next-door to you,” Hawkins said.
“This is a suburban community,” he said. “This is a community. This is kids playing.”
A September hearing was set for the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office to try and take Sherwin’s house away.
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