A Peru man charged with possessing nearly 2 pounds of cocaine and a prohibited firearm entered a negotiated plea on Wednesday. Robert Wright was sentenced to 12 years in prison.

Wright, 40, was looking at a maximum of 50 years if convicted of a Super Class X possession charge for the near-kilo seized two years ago. But when he appeared on Wednesday in La Salle County Circuit Court, attorneys presented an agreement that cut down his prison time.

Wright pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful possession of a controlled substance (cocaine) with intent to deliver, a Class X felony, and was sentenced to 12 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

He also pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon, a Class 3 felony carrying an extended sentence of up to 14 years, and took another 10 years.

In exchange for his twin pleas, La Salle County prosecutors dismissed the Super Class X charge, which requires that Wright be made to serve 75% of his sentence, and to let Wright serve his twin sentences concurrently. With about two years’ credit for time served, Wright could be released in 2030.

Attorneys also agreed to a finding that Wright’s actions were the result of addiction or abuse, which makes him eligible for drug treatment in prison.

Wright declined an opportunity to address Chief Judge H. Chris Ryan Jr. before sentencing, though Peru’s defense attorney Douglas Olivero stated on his behalf.

“Robert told me he was sorry for the offense he committed,” Olivero said, “and he plans to use his time to improve himself through classes at the DOC.”

Wright was charged April 25, 2024, after the Tri-County Drug Enforcement Narcotics Team raided his apartment and located a Glock 9-mm pistol “located within arm’s reach” of a bed. Wright is a convicted felon and was prohibited from possessing or handling a firearm. The weapon was confiscated and will be destroyed.

Drug agents also located a safe. Inside was a substance that field-tested positive for cocaine. In open court on Wednesday, attorneys stipulated to a quantity less than 100 grams. At the time of the bust, however, drug agents tallied the cocaine at 900 grams, or about 2 pounds.

A second suspect was charged after the drug raid and has a still-pending case.

Charnelle Mond, 29, also listed in La Salle, was jailed recently after multiple violations of pre-trial release. She, too, is charged with a Super Class X felony, but attorneys disclosed recently that they are in negotiations. She will next appear on April 16.