Schaumburg man sentenced on pot, weapons charges

A Schaumburg man received 30 months probation Thursday after pleading guilty to weapons and cannabis charges resulting from a traffic stop in February, but that doesn't mean he got off easy.

DeAngelo Radford, of the 1000 block of Dickens Way in Schaumburg, will spend 12 of those 30 months on intensive supervision probation, which requires him to submit to random drug tests, a curfew, regular court appearances, perform community service and be subject to random visits by probation officers.

Failure to comply with any of the conditions will land the 20-year-old in prison for several years, said Cook County Judge Thomas Fecarotta, who said he considers this type of probation as "one foot in the penitentiary."

"I'm giving you this shot because you're 20 and you made a mistake," said Fecarotta, who noted that Radford has no significant criminal history. "It's not going to be easy."

Schaumburg police arrested Radford on Feb. 16 after they stopped a car he was riding in for a traffic violation, said Cook County Assistant State's Attorney Mike Andre. Radford exited the car holding the waistband of his pants, Andre said. When the officer asked him to put his hands on the car, a loaded .380 Walther handgun fell from the waistband of his pants, Andre said, adding that a scuffle ensued when the officer attempted to place Radford under arrest.

Before Radford exited the car, an officer noticed him attempting to push a baggie under the passenger seat where he was sitting, Andre said. The contents of the baggie tested positive for marijuana, Andre said.

Radford offered his apologies to the court and the police officers.

"You'll never see me here again," he said.

"Yes I will," said Fecarotta, reminding Radford he will have to return to the Rolling Meadows courtroom every three months for status checks.