MOTHER, SON CHARGED WITH UNLAWFUL DELIVERY OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE

Mother Allegedly Requested Drugs Be Planted in Victim’s Backpack

WHEATON – DuPage County State’s Attorney Joe Birkett and Westmont Police Chief Randall Sticha announced today that a mother and her juvenile son have been charged with Unlawful Delivery of a Controlled Substance in connection with an incident that occurred at Westmont High School.

Charged are Christine J. Marmolejo, 38 (d.o.b. 5/3/67) of 4007 Williams Street, Downers Grove, and her juvenile son.  In addition to the Unlawful Delivery of a Controlled Substance, Christine Marmolejo is also charged with Conspiracy.  Both charges are Class 2 Felonies.

On Wednesday, March 22, the Westmont Police Department received a phone call requesting assistance on a case involving the possession of narcotics on school property at Westmont High School.  Upon their arrival, Police found less than 2.5 grams of cannabis and six 2-milligram tablets of Clonazepam, a generic for Klonopin in the backpack of a student.  Investigation into the incident revealed however, that the drugs had been allegedly placed in the backpack by another student.  Police also learned that the drugs had allegedly been placed in the victim’s backpack at the request of Christine Marmolejo, who was allegedly having difficulties with the victim’s mother. 

“It is a parent’s job to protect and provide for their children,” remarked Birkett.  “What  Christine Marmolejo is accused of is completely inexcusable.  Instead of guiding her son down the right path in life and teaching him the difference between right and wrong, she allegedly used him as a pawn in an attempt to cause harm to not just her rival, but also to another innocent boy.”

Christine Marmolejo is currently being held in the DuPage County jail on a $100,000 bond with 10% to apply.  Her next scheduled court date is April 17 at 9 a.m. in front of Judge Anderson.  The next scheduled court date for the juvenile, who has been released into his father’s custody, is April 19, 2006.

Members of the public are reminded that this complaint contains only charges and is not proof of the defendant’s guilt.  A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

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