An Elgin man with a history of violent offenses has been sent to prison for selling cocaine near a public park.

Span was convicted Feb. 28, 2014, by Judge Barsanti of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a park, a Class X felony, and unlawful delivery of a controlled substance, a Class 1 felony.

Samuel E. Span, 31, of the 300 block of North Liberty Street, Elgin, was sentenced late Thursday, April 17, by Circuit Judge John A. Barsanti to 15 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

On Feb. 22, 2013, Span and co-defendant Mateo Cedillo, 26, of the 200 block of South State Street, Elgin, sold 5.5 grams of cocaine to an undercover officer at Cedillo’s home. The home is within 1,000 feet of Ryerson Park in the 300 block of Ryerson Avenue on Elgin’s near west side.

Span has multiple convictions between 2002 and 2006 for weapons offenses and other violent acts in Kane and Cook counties.

According to Illinois law, Span is eligible for day-for-day sentencing. He receives credit for 420 days served in the Kane County jail, where he has been held since his arrest.

On March 12, 2014, Cedillo agreed to a sentence of four years in prison in exchange for a guilty plea to unlawful delivery of a controlled substance, a Class 1 felony.

“Elgin is safer without Mr. Span on the street peddling his poison,” Kane County State’s Attorney Joe McMahon said. “Thanks to all who work in the trenches to rid our communities of dangerous drugs.”

The case was prosecuted by Kane County Assistant State’s Attorneys Scott Schwertley, Kelly Orland and Bridget Sabbia.

SOURCE: Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office press releases