Worth Man Accused of Having 'Date Rape' GHB Drug in Car: Prosecutor

Photo: Matthew Heinrich, 26, of Worth, is charged with possession of a controlled substance and speeding. | Cook County Sheriff

Palos Heights police found a clear plastic bottle of Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate in man’s car during a traffic stop, prosecutors said in court on Monday.

Matthew Heinrich, 26, appeared before Cook County Judge Peter Felice at Bridgeview court where he is facing charges of possession of a controlled substance and speeding.

Prosecutors said that police stopped Matthew Heinrich, 26, on July 26, after he was clocked driving 52 mph in a 35 mph speed zone and for making an illegal lane change.

After learning that Heinrich was driving on a suspended license, police searched Heinrich’s car and found a clear plastic bottle with liquid Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate, or GHB, in the side pocket of driver’s door, prosecutors alleged.

GHB is a central nervous is a is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant that is commonly referred to as a “club drug” or “date rape” drug that is most often placed in alcoholic beverages, according to a pharmaceutical reference website.

When abused, the drug can cause users to pass out, sweating, nausea, hallucinations and coma.

Heinrich has a pending case for possession of drug paraphernalia, prosecutors said.

The assistant public defender told the judge that Heinrich is a 2007 graduate of Shepard High School and lives in Worth.

Bail was set at $25,000 with ten percent to apply. Should Heinrich bond out he is to be placed on electronic home monitoring and submit to random urine drops, the judge ordered.

Heinrich is due back in court on August 24.