Oct. 15--Two Evanston residents pleaded guilty Wednesday to felony money laundering in exchange for a six-year prison sentence, officials said.
Juan C. Fernandez, 40, and Reyna Garcia-Manzanares, 42, both of Evanston, pleaded guilty after prosecutors said they saw the couple meet with a person in the parking lot of an Aurora business on the 900 block of Grove Street.
Fernandez and Garcia-Manzanares left the meeting in a silver Jeep Grand Cherokee, officials said, and were stopped in Chicago. A search of the car found more than $190,000 in cash.
When questioned, Garcia-Manzanares told police that she helps launder money in small amounts into multiple bank accounts to avoid detection, and receives $10 to $15 for each transaction, officials said.
Fernandez told police he knew the money he was picking up was associated with illegal drug activity, officials said.
Fernandez and Garcia-Manzanares will receive credit for at least 561 days served in Kane County Jail, where they have been since their arrest in lieu of $500,000 bail, officials said.
gbookwalter@tribpub.com
