Eight Years for Cocaine Dealer

Chicago, May 8, 2018 — Today in U.S. District Court, Jose Del Rio of Plainfield was sentenced to eight years in prison for his role as a key player in a drug distribution network stretching from Texas to Chicago. Del Rio had pled guilty to receiving 17 kilograms of cocaine at a warehouse in Plainfield, Illinois. The government offered evidence of a prior distribution of 16 grams of cocaine two weeks before his arrest. Del Rio was facing 20 years imprisonment when his lawyer, Stephen Komie of Chicago, successfully argued for a lower sentence. Komie told the court, “Jose leaves behind a wife and a family of five kids, creating a substantial financial hardship.” In arguing for a lower sentence, Komie told the court that Del Rio was addicted to cocaine, causing him to commit the crimes, but his incarceration had allowed him to "go cold turkey. He beat his addiction while in custody.” Thus, “Jose was low risk to commit future crimes.”

The sentencing hearing was notable, as Komie presented 28 people to the court to demonstrate community support for a lenient sentence for Del Rio. Court observers commented that they could not remember a time when so many people had showed up for a sentencing to support a drug dealer. Through an interpreter, Del Rio thanked the people who came to show community “love and support” for his family, then he apologized to his family for his crimes.

District Judge Manish Shah acknowledged attorney Komie's plea for a lesser sentence, which would give Del Rio hope and allow him to return to the community to support his wife and five children. Judge Shah sentenced Del Rio to eight years with credit for two years time served. He will serve five years before he will be deported to Mexico.