N. Aurora man accepts prison in cocaine plea

A North Aurora man will serve at least 2½ years of a seven-year prison term on a cocaine offense, authorities said Wednesday.

Michael L. Babcock, 36, pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful possession of a controlled substance in an agreement with Kane County prosecutors.

Under the conditions of his plea, Babcock must serve at least half his sentence. He also received credit for 296 days in the county jail.

Babcock was arrested June 8, 2007, after Aurora police, armed with a warrant, arrived at his home in the 400 block of Offutt Lane in North Aurora.

Aurora police occasionally serve warrants in North Aurora.

Babcock ran off, sparking a chase that ended near Sullivan Road and Lake Street, where officers nabbed him with $592 cash and a small quantity of cocaine, prosecutors said.

Police later searched Babcock's home and found about $21,100 cash, about 3 ounces of cocaine, and two digital scales, prosecutors said.

Officers also recovered two boxes of plastic bags, ledgers and a substance used to dilute the cocaine, prosecutors said.

Babcock told police he had been dealing cocaine for several years, prosecutors said.

The plea agreement also required Babcock's to forfeit his money to the Aurora Police Department.