Des Plaines man pleads guilty to cocaine delivery

A Des Plaines man pleaded guilty to delivery of cocaine Monday in Rolling Meadows.

A Cook County judge sentenced 43-year-old Cesar Rodriguez to nine years in prison in exchange for his guilty plea to two counts of delivery of a controlled substance, a class 1 felony punishable by four to 15 years in prison.

Rodriguez, of the 7500 block of Elmhurst Road, must serve at least 50 percent of the sentence before he is eligible for parole. He received credit for the 52 days he has spent in custody since his arrest.

Prosecutors say an undercover Rosemont officer observed Rodriguez deliver cocaine to a confidential informant at a prearranged meeting that took place about 8 p.m. June 8 in the 1500 block of Roselle Road in Schaumburg. The officer observed a similar transaction in the same location on June 15, at about 6:30 p.m., said Cook County Assistant State's Attorney Mike Gerber.

Cook County Judge Thomas Fecarotta referred to Rodriguez's criminal background when he addressed the defendant in court.

“What is this, your fourth trip?” asked Fecarotta.

“I'm done,” Rodriguez replied.