Spring Grove man charged with making crack cocaine, marijuana gummies and possessing fireworks

A Spring Grove man was arrested Monday and accused of possessing 20.1 grams of cocaine, more than 1,200 grams of marijuana gummies and six commercial-grade fireworks.

Brian McManaway, 47, of the 6400 block of Willow Street, is charged with the manufacture and delivery of 15 to 100 grams of cocaine, a Class X felony, as well as possession of cocaine, the manufacture and delivery of 500 to 2,000 grams of marijuana, and the transfer of explosive material without a license, according to the criminal complaint filed in McHenry County court. McManaway was ordered Tuesday to be detained pretrial in the McHenry County jail.

In the defendant’s detention hearing Tuesday, Assistant State’s Attorney Julio Cantre said police in April learned that McManaway was allegedly “using, making and selling crack cocaine.” The tip led to McHenry County sheriff’s deputies searching his house.

Cantre said authorities found in McManaway’s house drug paraphernalia used in making crack cocaine, along with a white rock substance, a spoon, a scale, 1,220 grams of THC gummies, molds to make gummies, 20.1 grams of cocaine and six commercial-grade fireworks, Cantre said.

Authorities also found “several” firearms in the home – despite McManaway allegedly telling police that he had taken his guns to a family member’s house – and he was told by police that his firearm owner’s identification card was suspended, Cantre said.

McManaway has not been charged with any gun-related offenses in connection with this arrest, and Cantre later said authorities still are investigating McManaway’s alleged possession of the firearms.

In seeking McManaway’s jailing while he awaits trial, Cantre called McManaway a “clear and present threat to the community,” adding that he had a “large amount of controlled substances, evidence he intended to distribute. ... [Members of the] community are at risk of overdosing, dying.”

In arguing for his release with conditions, including an electric monitor and random visits to his house by court services, Assistant Public Defender David Giesinger said McManaway has no previous criminal history. Giesinger also said there was no evidence presented indicating that McManaway was dealing drugs.

To that, Cantre highlighted the amount of drugs allegedly in the defendant’s possession, calling it “a lot,” whether he intended to sell them or not.

In ruling that McManaway be detained in the county jail pretrial, Chief Judge Michael Chmiel said he is “concerned” with the “enormity of what’s involved here” and that McManaway allegedly lied to police that he did not have the firearms.

“This is alarming,” Chmiel said.