Round Lake teen gets 5 years for trying to swap drugs for gun

A Round Lake teen was sentenced to five years in prison Tuesday for trying to trade prescription drugs for a gun.

Nicholas Wu, 17, will have the opportunity to earn his release in as little as six months if he successfully completes the prison boot camp program.

Lake County Assistant State's Attorney Matthew Demartini said agents of the Lake County Metropolitan Enforcement Group became aware in March that Wu was looking for a gun.

An undercover agent set up a meeting with Wu in the parking lot of a gas station on Rollins Road in Round Lake Beach.

Wu gave the agent six Valium pills, Demartini said, and the agent handed over a 9 mm pistol that had been modified to keep it from firing.

Wu was arrested and charged with delivery of a controlled substance, a charge Demartini agreed to reduce to possession of a controlled substance in exchange for Wu's plea.

Associate Judge George Bridges accepted the plea and told Wu that if he fails to complete the rigorous boot camp program, he will have to serve the five-year term.