Larry Hayes, described as a career criminal by a judge, was fined $1.3 million in Lake County court Wednesday, a sum that authorities acknowledge he is unlikely to pay during his 55-year prison sentence.
The prison term and fine were handed down by Judge Charles Scott after Hayes was convicted of charges filed after he was arrested June 28 in Lake Forest and 9 1/2 pounds of cocaine was seized from the car he was driving.
Police arrest records show that Hayes, 55, has been sentenced to prison six times for charges filed in Chicago and North Chicago involving armed robbery, burglary and drug dealing.
Scott said Wednesday that Hayes’ record indicates that he is a career criminal who is unlikely to be rehabilitated.
The $1.3 million fine the judge assessed is equal to the estimated street value of the cocaine seized when Hayes was arrested last summer.
Assistant State’s Atty. John Kornak, who prosecuted Hayes’ case, said the fine can be used to attach a lien on any hidden assets or property that might be traced to Hayes while he is in prison.
At his trial last year, Hayes said he was unaware cocaine was in the car, which he said he had rented from a man soon after they met in a Chicago tavern.
