Former Cicero man gets 16 years for dealing drugs in DuPage

A 40-year-old former Cicero man was sentenced Tuesday to 16 years in prison for his drug-dealing activities in DuPage County and nearby areas.

Rene Rojo, formerly of the 4900 block of W. 29th Place, was found guilty last month of criminal drug conspiracy following a three-day bench trial before Judge Robert Miller.

Authorities said Rojo came to their attention during a yearlong drug investigation that began in July 2010 by the DuPage sheriff's office and the Office of Homeland Security.

Rojo was arrested on June 18, 2013, and charged with arranging the delivery of half a kilo of heroin. He has remained in custody since that time.

"The sad truth is that the heroin epidemic in our communities continues to claim dozens of lives every year, which is utterly unacceptable," DuPage State's Attorney Bob Berlin said in a statement. "While we have made progress in ridding our streets from this poison, we must continue to be vigilant and proactive if we are to bring the number of heroin deaths down to the only acceptable number, which is zero.

"Today's sentence sends a message to these poison peddlers that they will be caught, they will be prosecuted and they will spend a significant amount of time behind bars."

Rojo will be required to serve 75 percent of his sentence before being eligible for parole.