Wisc. man gets 6 years for drugs, deportation looms

A Delavan, Wis., man was sentenced to six years in prison Friday for possession of cocaine and marijuana.

Elpido Garcia, 42, is also likely to be deported to his native Mexico for the second time when his prison term has been served.

Lake County Assistant State's Attorney Scott Hoffert said Garcia and Salvador Diaz, 36, of the 4000 block of Ramble Drive in McHenry, were southbound on Route 12 in a truck driven by Garcia on Aug. 13.

An Illinois State Police trooper stopped the truck as it neared Case Road because of an obstructed windshield, Hoffert said, and the trooper detected a strong odor of alcohol on Garcia.

Garcia gave the trooper permission to search the vehicle, Hoffert said, and bags containing a total of 4.76 pounds of marijuana and 5.26 grams of cocaine were found inside.

A jury found Garcia guilty of possession of marijuana and cocaine March 3 after a trial, and he was facing a minimum of four years in prison.

Hoffert asked Associate Judge Daniel Shanes to impose a six-year sentence, citing the large quantity of marijuana and the fact Garcia had returned to this country after being deported in 1997.

Defense attorney Lawrence Hyman of Chicago asked for the minimum of four years and told Shanes that Garcia had built his own business and supported his family since coming to this country.

Shanes told Garcia he most likely will be deported again when he finishes his time in prison.

Diaz pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine on Nov. 24 and was sentenced to two years of probation and fined $2,000.