Man gets nine years for probation violation

A Mundelein man was sentenced to nine years in prison Tuesday for testing positive twice for marijuana while he was on probation for possessing the drug.

It was the 10th prison term earned by Juan Rodriguez, 34, in as many years.

Lake County Assistant State's Attorney Fred Day said Rodriguez, of the 26000 block of Walnut Avenue, was arrested Feb. 17, 2007 while carrying a little more than four ounces of marijuana in his car.

He pleaded guilty to possession of marijuana with intent to deliver on March 19, 2008, and was sentenced to three years on probation.

Rodriguez tested positive for marijuana use on June 24 of this year, and a petition to revoke his probation was filed.

He was released on bond, but was jailed after a second positive test Sept. 2.

Day said Rodriguez normally would have faced a maximum sentence of five years based on his original conviction, but he was eligible for double that amount because of his criminal record.

Day said Rodriguez had been sentenced to prison six times on drug charges and three times on weapons charges before Tuesday's action.