Two Canadians facing drug-trafficking charges, including a man from the Barrie area, in what is being called “the largest cocaine bust" in the state of Illinois last year have made court appearances recently in Bond County.
Payden Davidge, 33, of Thornton, and Rebecca Kiczma, 37, of Burlington, are both charged with drug trafficking.
On Dec. 20, Davidge was granted a reduction in his bail amount to $3 million, although there appears to be no record of him being released on bail yet.
Meanwhile, Kiczma appeared in court by remote video conference on Nov. 22 for a motion to change or reduce her bail bond.
“For reasons stated in open court, defendant's bail is reduced to $1 million with 10 per cent to apply” along with conditions set out by the court, court records show.
She is to reside in the county of Bond at all times during the pretrial release, and is required to report to authorities no less than one time per week.
Kiczma is to remain at her residence each day between the hours of 7 p.m. through 7 a.m., with exceptions for medical emergencies and any court proceedings.
She is also forced to surrender her Canadian passport and be subject to electronic monitoring, which she completed on Dec. 5, along with posting the required $100,000 to be released on bail.
Davidge and Kiczma are represented by the same attorneys.
Illinois State Police say officers seized 125 kilograms of cocaine that was allegedly discovered in a vehicle after a routine traffic stop east of St. Louis on Aug 30.
Both Davidge and Kiczma have pleaded not guilty to all charges.
None of the allegations have been tested in court.
Davidge previously had a bond of $7 million, while Kiczma's bond had been set at $5 million prior to the reduction.
If convicted of a Class X felony in the United States, it would mean no less than 30 years or more than 120 years imprisonment, and no eligibility for probation. The maximum fine would be $1 million (US).
The amount of cocaine seized has an estimated street value of nearly $4.3 million (Cdn.).
A further pre-trial date has been set for both Davidge and Kiczma for Feb. 21.
