Drug plea nets 7-year prison term

A Cook County judge sentenced a 35-year-old Schaumburg man to seven years in prison Monday in exchange for his guilty plea to possession of cocaine with intent to distribute.

Nathan L. Rousseau, of the 1700 block of Poplar Place, 35, pleaded guilty to the Class X felony - which carries a sentence of six to 30 years - after prosecutors amended the charge from a Super Class X, which carries a longer sentence.

Acting on a tip that the defendant was dealing drugs, police executed a search warrant of Rousseau's home on the evening of Oct. 20, 2009. They recovered 76.5 grams of cocaine along with scales and packaging materials, said Cook County Assistant State's Attorney Mike Gerber.

Court records show that Rousseau's criminal background includes a 2003 conviction for manufacturing and delivering cocaine which resulted in a six-year prison sentence. Police say he was released on parole last year.

Rousseau also received a six-year sentence in 1994 for the same charges. He also has a 1997 conviction for retail theft and a one-year conditional discharge for a 1998 battery.

Rousseau received credit for 252 days in custody.