Man gets 8 years in prison for role in $1.4 million marijuana bust

One of four men charged in a 157-pound marijuana bust in late 2015 near Aurora has pleaded guilty and sentenced to eight years in prison.

Luis Garcia, 54, of the 300 block of Woodcrest Drive, Bolingbrook, pleaded guilty in late July to the felony charge of possession of more than 5,000 grams of cannabis, a felony that carried a prison term of six to 30 years, according to Kane County court records.

In exchange for the plea, prosecutors dismissed the most severe charge of cannabis trafficking of more than 5,000 grams, a felony that carried a minimum 12-year prison term, records show.

Kane County Judge D.J. Tegeler approved the plea, which also includes nearly $8,300 in fines and fees.

According to the Kane County sheriff's office, deputies saw a suspected drug deal being made Dec. 8, 2015, in a parking lot off Interstate 88 and Farnsworth Avenue. Deputies pulled over a Jeep as it left the area, seizing the marijuana worth an estimated $1.4 million, and arresting Garcia, the driver.

Defense attorney John DeLeon acknowledged his client drove away with the marijuana in his Jeep, but added Garcia is a U.S. citizen, father and dedicated factory worker who made a bad choice.

"He agreed to do a favor for somebody and he's going to pay dearly for it," DeLeon said. "I fought very hard for a reasonable offer (from the state). Obviously, the threat of a 12-year minimum was hanging over his head. Eight (years) was reasonable."

DeLeon said Garcia's guilty plea does not have any requirement he testify against three co-defendants.

The cases of the others - Sergio N. Delgadillo-Alvarez, 42; Jaime Guillen-Hernandez, 64; and Ruben D. Guillen-Hernandez, 55, all of Mexico - are pending. Each is being held at the Kane County jail on $2 million bail.

Garcia can have his prison term halved for good behavior and gets credit for nearly eight months at the county jail.