Man charged with trying to sell coke to Elgin cop

A 25-year-old Elgin man faces prison time after being accused of planning to sell cocaine to an undercover officer.

Bond for Julio G. Zarate of the 500 block of Cleveland Avenue was set at 10 percent of $250,000 this morning.

He faces several charges of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver. That is a Class X felony that carries a prison of six to 30 years. Probation is not an option.

According to court documents, Zarate on Tuesday was scheduled to sell a $160 "8 ball" of cocaine to an undercover officer in the 0-99 block of State Street.

The officer then told Zarate that he wanted to make the buy across the Fox River at the Clock Tower Plaza shopping center. On the way there, officers pulled over Zarate at 5:35 p.m. at State Street and Standish Court.

Police said they found 4.3 grams of cocaine on Zarate, and at his apartment found another 4.6 grams of cocaine, plastic bags, a digital scale and $460.

Zarate, according to court documents, admitted he was going to sell the cocaine. He is due in court next on July 14.