Owner of Shuttered McHenry Smoke Shop Pleads Guilty to LSD Possession

Michael H. Brill sentenced to 120 days in jail after narcotics task force found variety of drugs at his home

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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The owner of a now-closed smoke shop in downtown McHenry, Illinois has pleaded guilty and been sentenced to jail time after he was caught with a variety of drugs by a narcotics task force. Michael H. Brill, 70, of Holiday Hills, was arrested in February 2025 after investigators found LSD, cannabis, cocaine, MDMA, psilocybin mushrooms, Xanax, and drug paraphernalia inside his home during a search warrant.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing challenges communities face in addressing the distribution of illicit drugs, especially in small business settings. The arrest of Brill, a local business owner, raises concerns about the role of smoke shops in potential drug activity and the need for increased monitoring and regulation of these establishments.

The details

Brill, the former owner of Cloud 9 Smoke Shop in downtown McHenry, was charged with a variety of drug-related offenses, including possession with intent to deliver LSD, manufacturing or delivery of cannabis and cocaine, and illegal possession of ammunition. A search of his home uncovered over 15 units of LSD, more than 2,000 grams of cannabis, 7.9 grams of cocaine, MDMA, psilocybin mushrooms, Xanax pills, and drug paraphernalia. Brill pleaded guilty to one count of possession of 15-200 objects of LSD in exchange for the dismissal of the other charges. He was sentenced to 120 days in the McHenry County Jail and two years of probation.

  • On February 11, 2025, Brill was found in possession of the variety of drugs and ammunition.
  • Brill was arrested by the McHenry County Sheriff's Office Narcotics Task Force in February 2025.
  • Brill entered into a negotiated plea deal with the McHenry County State's Attorney's Office earlier this month (February 2026).

The players

Michael H. Brill

A 70-year-old resident of Holiday Hills, Illinois who previously owned the Cloud 9 Smoke Shop in downtown McHenry.

McHenry County Sheriff's Office Narcotics Task Force

The law enforcement agency that investigated the case and arrested Brill.

McHenry County State's Attorney's Office

The prosecutorial agency that negotiated the plea deal with Brill.

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What they’re saying

“It's nothing short of a conspiracy against the public.”

— Garrett Miller, McHenry County Assistant State's Attorney (lakemchenryscanner.com)

“The search warrant was obtained after a confidential informant reported that Brill was selling drugs out of his residence.”

— Justin Neubauer, McHenry County Assistant State's Attorney (lakemchenryscanner.com)

What’s next

The judge will decide on Tuesday whether to allow Brill to be released on bail pending the completion of his jail sentence.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenges communities face in addressing the distribution of illicit drugs, especially when they involve local business owners. It raises questions about the need for increased monitoring and regulation of smoke shops to prevent them from being used as fronts for drug activity.