Darien woman gets four years for selling heroin

A Darien woman charged with selling heroin outside Hinsdale Central High School is headed to prison.

Melinda Rozell, 43, of the 0-100 block of Elm Street, pleaded guilty to the manufacture or delivery of less than 14 grams of heroin in exchange for prosecutors dropping several counts of manufacture or delivery of more than 15 grams.

Judge Robert Kleeman then sentenced her on Friday to four years in prison.

Prosecutors alleged that Rozell, sold heroin to a confidential informant, working with the DuPage County sheriff's tactical narcotics team, at least six times between June and August 2014.

The largest buy, prosecutors said, included 65 bags, totaling 40 grams of heroin.

Rozell was under surveillance during most of the buys and prosecutors said at least two of them took place within 1,000 feet of the Hinsdale Central High School baseball field.

Officials said the sheriff's team began watching Rozell after being tipped off in May 2014 to drug activity near Darien.

Rozelle, who has been in custody since Aug. 26, must serve half of her sentence before being eligible for two years of parole.