Man sentenced to 6 years for heroin sales

A Round Lake man was sentenced to six years in prison Thursday after he admitted selling heroin to undercover police three times.

Pedro Hernandez, 21, will be eligible for parole in as little as six months if he successfully completes the prison impact-incarceration program.

Lake County Assistant State's Attorney Fred Day said Hernandez, of 299 W. Arden Lane, sold small amounts of heroin to an undercover officer of the Lake County Metropolitan Enforcement Group.

All three sales took place in a commercial parking lot on Route 120 in Grayslake, Day said.

On Oct. 3, Hernandez gave the officer 3.5 grams of heroin in exchange for $140.

On Oct. 9, another 2.5 grams was sold for $135, and on Oct. 12, Hernandez sold 4.2 grams for $150.

Hernandez was arrested as the final sale was completed, Day said.

Circuit Judge James Booras agreed to recommend Hernandez for the military-style boot camp program, which could significantly reduce his time behind bars.

However, Booras told Hernandez that if he is not accepted into or fails to complete the impact-incarceration program, he will have to serve at least three years of the six-year term.

If convicted after a trial, Hernandez could have faced up to 15 years in prison for each of the sales, Day said.