Man Convicted After 17th License Arrest

ST. CHARLES, Ill. (STMW/AP) - A west suburban man who had his driver's license revoked in 1996 is now facing a prison term of as long as 30 years after being convicted of driving with a revoked license, for the 17th time.

Michael L. Diaz, 34, of the 200 block of Oakhurst Drive in Aurora was found guilty Thursday by Associate Judge T. Jordan Gallagher of one count of DWLR, a Class 2 felony because of his numerous prior offenses, according to the Kane County State's Attorney's office.

On Sept. 27, 2009, Aurora police investigating a hit-and-run crash went to the home of the registered owner of the car. The owner told police that she had loaned the car to her boyfriend, Diaz, according to a release from the state's attorney;s office.

Police soon located the car, with Diaz driving it. At the time of the offense, he was on probation for a 2006 conviction for aggravated domestic battery and unlawful possession of a controlled substance. The DWLR arrest, which was Diaz' 17th, was also a probation violation, the release said.

Judge Gallagher set sentencing for Dec. 2, when Diaz will face between three and 30 years in prison for the DWRL conviction and resentencing on the 2006 convictions for violating parole, according to state's attorney's office spokesman Chris Nelson. He remains free on $12,500 bond.