A former professional soccer player from Mexico has been sentenced to probation after the sheriff found him possessing over two pounds of cocaine near Gurnee.
Luis Sandoval-Oliva, 43, of Aurora, was charged in February 2021 with manufacturing or delivering more than 900 grams of cocaine, unlawful possession of cocaine, driving while license suspended and driving with no insurance.
The charges stemmed from a traffic stop where the Lake County Sheriff’s Office stopped Sandoval-Oliva’s vehicle on February 2, 2021, as it traveled westbound Interstate 94 south of Grand Avenue in Gurnee.
A deputy pulled Sandoval-Oliva over because he was following the car in front of him too closely, Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli said at the time.
The deputy spoke with Sandoval-Oliva, who was driving with a suspended driver’s license and did not have insurance.
Covelli said that Lake County Sheriff’s Office Canine Duke arrived on the scene and conducted a sniff around the vehicle.
Duke gave a positive indication that drugs were in the car.
Deputies searched the vehicle and found Sandoval-Oliva in possession of approximately one kilogram — or 2.2 pounds — of cocaine, Covelli said.
He was arrested and transported to the Lake County Jail.
A judge set Sandoval-Oliva’s bond at $50,000. He posted $5,000 cash and was released from custody.
Sandoval-Oliva failed to appear at a court hearing in July 2021 and an arrest warrant was issued.
The warrant was later quashed after Sandoval-Oliva appeared in court.
Court records show Sandoval-Oliva again failed to appear in court in August 2022 and a judge issued a warrant carrying an $850,000 bond.
Sandoval-Oliva was taken into custody on the warrant in March 2023 and a judge kept his bond at $850,000.
Court records show he was later released from the jail on pre-trial release conditions.
Sandoval-Oliva entered into a negotiated plea deal with the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office in June.
He pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of manufacturing or delivery of 1-15 grams of cocaine, a Class 1 felony, in exchange for the rest of his charges being dismissed.
The plea agreement resulted in Sandoval-Oliva being sentenced to 36 months of probation and 240 hours of public service.
He was also ordered to not consume alcohol or illegal drugs.
Sandoval-Oliva, known as “El Nego,” began a professional career with Chivas Guadalajara in 2002 before playing for several different soccer teams until 2014 when he retired.
During his career, he also played for the Mexico national team.
In 2016, he signed a three-year contract to play with the Chicago Mustangs of the Major Arena Soccer League.