Undercover cops collared the son of former Chief Judge Rodney Lechwar and charged him with possession of heroin with plans to sell it.
Matthew Lechwar, 29, of 23927 S. Navajo Drive in Channahon, was taken into custody March 30 by agents from the Metropolitan Area Narcotics Squad.
MANS agents also arrested 28-year-old Tonya Roe of 24639 S. Valley Drive in Channahon. She and Lechwar are both being held in the county jail on bonds of $150,000 each.
On the same night that agents grabbed Lechwar and Roe, the MANS crew arrested Heather Brown, 23, of 304 Barr Elms Ave. in Joliet. Brown was charged with possession of a controlled substance. She was released from jail after posting a $500 bond.
No one from MANS stepped up to answer questions about the arrests of Matthew Lechwar, Roe or Brown.
The criminal complaint against Matthew Lechwar was signed by a MANS agent. The complaint said Matthew Lechwar was carrying between 15 and 100 grams of heroin. According to the website TheGoodDrugsGuide, a gram of heroin sells for between $59 and $88.
Matthew Lechwar's father, Rodney Lechwar, was the chief judge in Will County from 1997 to 2003. He was a judge from 1985 to 2010. For 10 years prior to becoming a judge, Rodney Lechwar was a Will County prosecutor.
Rodney Lechwar is now a mediator with ADR Systems, "the Chicago area’s largest alternative dispute resolution service." Rodney Lechwar failed to respond to messages left for him at ADR Systems.
According to the Will County Recorder's Office, the Navajo Drive address listed in jail records for Matthew Lechwar is a home purchased by Rodney and Mary Lynn Lechwar in 2009. It was not clear whether they live there as well.
Matthew Lechwar's March arrest marked the second time he was picked up in Will County on a heroin charge in less than six years.
In April 2006, while his father was a judge, he was charged with the unlawful delivery of heroin. The charge was dropped two years later after Matthew Lechwar completed the drug court program administered by the state's attorney's office.
The class X felony Matthew Lechwar caught in March carries a possible prison sentence of six to 30 years.
"the sins of the son should not be laid upon the father" I am only trying to head off any irrelevant negative commentary against Judge Lechwar that takes away from or distorts the REAL problem. Nice job Joe!
I'm not speaking legally here. The legal repercussions fall completely on Matthew here. But clearly, Matthew is nothing but a detriment to society. He's a drug addict and distibutor. So through the course of this young parasite's life, he made a series of wrong choices that led him straight into the custody of the state. You're saying that the person who brought him into this world and had the responsibility of protecting him from harm, guiding him to the right choices, teaching him morality and consequences, and helping him on the right path should feel no shame or guilt in this mess? This didn't happen overnight. Matthew didn't just wake up at the age of 29 and say, "I think I'm gonna get into the Heroin business." This has been a problem for quite some time. Judge Lechwar is not at fault for Matthew's actions one bit. But don't be so quick to say he's not partially responsible. There are two things that greatly affect who you turn out to be in life...your parents, and your friends.
it in the can for hopefully 30yrs(minus good "behavior" time) and now you're gonna burden us taxpayers. what a pathetic life of a loser!
A rebellious child is normal. That I can agree with. An addictive personality is not taught, I can agree with that as well. Making the deliberate choice to feed your addiction is a choice, however. KNOWING what you're doing is illegal, damaging, and fundamentally incorrect is also a deliberate choice. Something that should be taught by parents. You can blame peer pressure, environment, media, or whatever other scapegoat you choose. In doing so, however, you give a big middle finger to everyone else who grew up in a similar situation and made the right choices in life.
Some of you are pathetic. You make decisions on things you THINK you know about. It must be sad to live like that.
This cottled little parasite was obviously protected by his father. Read the end of the article. I quote, "In April 2006, while his father was a judge, he was charged with the unlawful delivery of heroin. The charge was dropped two years later after Matthew Lechwar completed the drug court program administered by the state's attorney's office." You think some hood rat on the east side being charged with unlawful delivery of heroin would be given that option, and the charges dropped off his record? Tell me that's not sweeping this issue under the rug. He's a drug dealer. And we're not talking something as small time or low key as marijuana here. This is heroin. One of the most addicting and dangerous drugs around. Ever talked to a heroin addict, Walter? They're some of the most pathetic people you'll ever meet. Every word they sputter is a blatant lie and they'll do anything to get a fix. They're sad, desperate people. Their usage is quite apparent and hard to miss. You're telling me a seasoned, Chief Judge in Will County, someone who sees them on a regular basis couldn't see that in his own child. Get real. The world isn't all sunshine and rainbows. This kid should have been locked up in 2006 before he ruined anyone else's life.
I never said anything about being easy on the son, he is an addict and possibly a dealer and should be treated as such. I, in no way, condone drug use in any shape or form and if you knew me, you would know that. All I am saying is that it is not always the parents fault and I am sure the Judge would have recused himself from trial if his son was up. Clout works both ways!
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.. If you are such an expert on drug use and family issues, you should at least put out your name with the PHD. after it. ... Or maybe you never graduated from high school. I don't know because you are anonymous. A person can say anything anonymously without repercussions. How can you spout off about something you are not close to? My wife and I are good friends with the Lechwars. When you say reprehensible things about them, you hurt us too. They are fine people who always try to do the right thing. Come out from hiding and put a name to your diatribe.