An Elgin man was sentenced to 20 years in prison for possessing a firearm while committing a drug trafficking offense, federal law enforcement officials announced today.

Darris Hyte, 31, who last resided at 1209 Sairwood Dr., Elgin, was sentenced yesterday in Federal Court. Because he possessed a firearm during a drug trafficking offense, Hyte faced a mandatory minimum of five years up to life in federal prison under federal law.

Hyte was sentenced by U.S. District Judge David Coar in U.S. District Court in Chicago on November 5, said Patrick J. Fitzgerald, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois.

According to court documents, on June 23, 2008, in Elgin, Hyte possessed 31.5 grams of crack cocaine, which he intended to distribute. Along with the crack cocaine, Hyte also had a loaded .40 caliber pistol with an obliterated serial number.

Hyte admitted that he possessed the firearm in order to protect his distribution of crack cocaine. According to court filings, Hyte was considered a career offender under federal sentencing guidelines based on two prior drug trafficking convictions.

As a career offender, Hyte faced a heightened sentencing guideline range.

Hyte was indicted in October 2008 and pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense on June 11, 2009.

In addition to the 20-year prison sentence, Judge Coar imposed a term of five years of supervised release and a $1,000 fine.

The case was investigated by the Elgin Police Department and the Chicago Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation as part of the FBI’s Safe Streets Initiative.

The Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office, which initially brought charges, later referred the case to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for federal prosecution.

The government was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney John Hauser.

MEDIA CONTACT:

United States Attorney’s Office, 312-353-5300
Northern District of Illinois