Sex Abuse, Drug Charges Filed Following Search Of McHenry Home

MCHENRY COUNTY, IL – Authorities who went to arrest a local man on a warrant for sex abuse charges also tacked on drug charges to his rap sheet when they allegedly found methamphetamine, Alprazolam pills and $2,015 in cash in his home, according to a news release from the McHenry County Sheriff's Office. The arrest warrant for Joseph McCormick, 33, was for three counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse. Authorities served the arrest warrant Thursday morning after an investigation by the McHenry Police Department and the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office into complaints of sex abuse and illegal drug activity, according to police.

While at McCormick's McHenry home, detectives saw evidence of illegal drugs, police said. Authorities obtained a search warrant and found 9.3 grams of methamphetamine, eight Alprazolam pills, packaging materials, multiple items of drug paraphernalia and $2,015 in cash, according to a news release. The estimated street value of the illegal drugs totaled $1,000.

Police also arrested Amber Cechini, 27, for accusations she sold illegal drugs in the McHenry area, according to the news release.

McCormick was charged with unlawful delivery of methamphetamine, a class 1 felony; unlawful possession of methamphetamine, a class 2 felony; unlawful possession of a controlled substance, a class 4 felony; and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. His bond was set at $70,000.

Cechini was also charged with unlawful delivery of methamphetamine, a class 1 felony; unlawful possession of methamphetamine, a class 2 felony; unlawful possession of a controlled substance, a class 4 felony; and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.

A court date and bond is yet to be set for Cechini.

Photo via the McHenry County Sheriff's Office