Pubdate: Sat, 29 Jan 2005 Source: Daily Herald (IL) Copyright: 2005 The Daily Herald Company Contact: http://www.dailyherald.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/107 Author: Charles Keeshan, Daily Herald Staff Writer FAMILY'S LAWYER SAYS SEARCH ILLEGAL Narcotics agents used unreliable information from a chronic drug user to help bring charges against a Huntley family accused of running a clandestine methamphetamine lab out of their home, the family's attorney claims in court papers filed Friday. Because of that, the lawyer for Kenneth S., Janice A., Nicholas R. and Eric M. Larsen says, a judge should throw out the search warrant agents used to raid the family's residence in October and discover what authorities claim is evidence of a drug making and selling operation. "Chronic methamphetamine abusers exhibit symptoms that cause anxiety, confusion and insomnia along with auditory hallucinations, mood disturbances and delusional, homicidal and suicidal thoughts," defense attorney Edward Villadonga states. "Based on the allegations of a known drug addict, who very well could exhibit one or more of the abuse symptoms," he said, police obtained the warrant. Villadonga, who declined further comment on his request, also claims police failed to take into consideration the fact Kenneth Larsen works as a flooring installer and some of the materials found in his home are used in his trade. If the request succeeds, authorities likely would have no choice but to dismiss the charges against the family. Assistant McHenry County State's Attorney Anne Brophy, the county's lead drug prosecutor, was not available for comment Friday. Court documents indicate agents of the North Central Narcotics Task Force used the informant's statements, along with internal Huntley police records, to obtain the warrant to search the Larsens' home Oct. 21. Those police records included complaints of ongoing drug dealing out of the Larsen home, police said. In a subsequent raid, agents discovered chemicals used to manufacture methamphetamine, along with small amounts of the drug and marijuana inside the residence at 11770 Blue Bayou Drive, authorities said. As a result, the Larsens - Kenneth, 46, Janice, 45, Nicholas, 19 and Eric, 17 - each face four felony drug charges, the most serious carrying prison sentences of up to seven years. In an affidavit attached to the search warrant, an informant identified only as Jane Doe states she bought methamphetamine about 20 times from Kenneth Larsen and had been inside the Larsen residence more than 100 times. On at least one occasion, she states, she observed methamphetamine being made inside the home. Judge Sharon Prather gave prosecutors three weeks to respond to the defense motion. Once the response is filed, the judge will schedule a hearing on the request. The Larsens are free on bonds ranging from $80,000 to $100,000. - --- MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager