McHenry County State’s Attorney Randi Freese announced on May 29 that Judge Joel Berg granted the State’s petition to deny pretrial release for Karl Petermann, 43, of Lake in the Hills, Illinois. Petermann appeared in Initial Appearance Court charged with Drug Induced Homicide, a Class X felony, as well as additional drug possession charges.
Evidence presented in court established that on July 28, 2025, Petermann provided crack cocaine to a woman at his apartment. After ingesting the substance, the woman suffered a fatal overdose later that night. The investigation determined that cocaine toxicity caused her death.
“The loss of life resulting from illegal drug distribution continues to devastate families and communities,” said State’s Attorney Freese. “Our office remains committed to working alongside law enforcement to investigate every overdose death in McHenry County and to hold accountable those who provide the drugs that lead to these tragic and preventable fatalities. We extend our deepest condolences to the victim’s family and loved ones.”
Petermann remains detained pending trial. His next court appearance is scheduled for June 4, 2026, in Courtroom 302. The charges against him are based on an investigation by the Lake in the Hills Police Department and McHenry County Coroner’s Office with assistance from the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office.
Members of the public are reminded that a criminal complaint contains only allegations and is not evidence of guilt; defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
