Elgin drug dealer sentenced for armed robbery

An Elgin man was sentenced to 21 years in prison Friday for an armed robbery that happened during a drug transaction with an undercover North Central Narcotics Task Force officer.

John E. Dodd, 23, pleaded guilty to armed robbery in exchange for the sentence handed down by Judge Donald Tegeler.

Kane County Assistant State's Attorney Kelly M. Orland said during the plea hearing that Dodd made an arrangement to sell marijuana to an undercover officer for $300. The two met about 6 p.m. Jan. 7, 2016, near Lincoln and Preston avenues.

Dodd brought no marijuana with him. He got into the officer's unmarked vehicle and asked for the money. A co-defendant then stepped up to the car, pointed a gun in the officer's face and demanded money.

Prosecutors said the officer gave the money to Dodd and a struggle ensued over the gun, which discharged inside the car. No one was struck. Dodd and the co-defendant then fled but were quickly captured by other officers.

Dodd gets credit for 379 days served in the Kane County jail since his arrest.

The co-defendant's case is pending.

"Mr. Dodd is a violent and dangerous drug dealer. He and his co-defendant were willing to shoot someone over a small amount of cash to carry out their illicit drug trade," Kane County State's Attorney Joe McMahon said in a written statement. "This officer was in grave danger because of (Dodd), and thankfully a team of officers was nearby to come to this officer's aid and no one was injured."