La Grange Drug Cases Dropped; Several Arrested In Raid

LA GRANGE, IL – Felony drug charges have been thrown out against those arrested last October in a drug raid of a La Grange house, an attorney said last week.

"All of the criminal cases have been dismissed. I'm not aware of any criminal cases that are pending," attorney James Chesloe said in a hearing in Cook County Circuit Court.

Chesloe represents Paul Nutting, the longtime resident of 812 S. Catherine Ave., where the arrests were made. Chesloe spoke at a hearing in which the home's new owner is trying to evict "unknown occupants" in the house.

Nutting no longer has possession of the house because of a foreclosure.

In response to a Patch inquiry last week, Village Manager Jack Knight said local officials were aware of at least one case that is still pending in court.

He did not say which one, referring questions to the Cook County state's attorney's office. Patch left a message with the office Monday.

Nutting had been charged with felony possession of a controlled substance and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia, police said.

The others who had faced felony possession charges were identified as Adrian R. Bauer, 22, of Chicago; Courtney M. Palutsis, 32, of Chicago; and Nicole V. Schmidt, 39, of Midlothian, police said.

According to the police report, the house was the site of drug parties and prostitution.

In December, Patch wrote a story based on the report, which it obtained through a public records request.

Police calls to the house have continued since October's raid.