Man to serve 34 years on drug, battery charges

An East St. Louis drug buyer who struck a police officer in Carpentersville with his vehicle and led police on a lengthy chase has been sent to prison for 34 years.

Leamon R. Cavitt Jr., 48, of the 1600 block of North 36th Street, was sentenced Friday by Kane County Circuit Judge John A. Barsanti.

A Kane County jury convicted Cavitt on March 17 of unlawful possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, aggravated battery to a peace officer, three counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and aggravated fleeing and eluding.

Prosecutors said Cavitt arrived at the parking lot of a restaurant on the 1600 block of Ravine Lane in Carpentersville to buy a one kilogram of cocaine. Cavitt gave $30,000 to a co-defendant, who had arranged the deal. The co-defendant then brought the money to the sellers, who were two undercover police officers.

An unmarked police vehicle pulled behind Cavitt's car. Cavitt put his car in reverse and rammed the police vehicle as an officer was exiting, injuring the officer. Cavitt then sped off, forcing another officer to jump out of the way to avoid being run over. Police pursued Cavitt until he surrendered in Itasca.

The sentence was 30 years for the drug deal, three years for the aggravated battery to the officers and one year for the lengthy car chase.

Cavitt must serve at least 75 percent of the 30-year term, and he is eligible for day-for-day credit on the remainder of the sentence. Cavitt receives credit for 1,824 days served in the Kane County jail.