3 years in prison for North Aurora drug dealer
A 20-year-old North Aurora man was sentenced Wednesday to three years in prison for selling marijuana to undercover police officers.
Kane County Judge Susan Clancy Boles rejected calls for probation from the defense attorney for Krisada M. Cheung, of the 2900 block of McDuffee Drive.
Cheung, who was arrested after members of the North Central Narcotics Task Force searched his apartment on the 200 block of North Lincolnway Street, North Aurora, in July 2012, could have received probation after pleading guilty in May to the felony charge of manufacture/delivery of between 500 grams and 2,000 grams of marijuana.
But Kane County Assistant State's Attorney Mark Stadjohar argued that Cheung, who was still on probation for a juvenile aggravated assault offense at the time of his arrest, had effectively thumbed his nose at probation and conditions of his bond. Cheung failed to report an address change, made minimal progress on his GED since being expelled from high school, and tested positive for drugs at least twice in court-mandated tests, including one last month. He pleaded guilty in May to the felony marijuana charge, Stadjohar argued.
"He thinks everything is a joke," he said. "Probation is not a viable option for this defendant. It's done nothing to change his behavior."
Defense attorney Liam Dixon argued for probation and said Cheung had accepted responsibility for his actions.
Dixon said the marijuana charge, along with failing to report an address change, were both nonviolent crimes and Cheung, whose first language is not English, may have been confused by a probation form to report a change of address.
"This is somebody that the state does not need to spend money on to send to prison," Dixon said.
Cheung could have received up to seven years on the drug charge. He can have his sentence cut in half for good behavior.
He also was assessed a drug fine of $16,000, in addition to other fees.