People v. Lusietto

A jury convicted the defendant, James Lusietto, Jr., of cannabis trafficking. 720 ILCS 550/5.1 (West 1998). The defendant was sentenced to 15 years of imprisonment. On appeal, the defendant argues that: (1) the court erred in allowing the “mere fact” of his previous felony conviction into evidence; (2) his sentence was excessive; and (3) the cannabis trafficking provision violates equal protection guarantees (U.S. Const., amend. XIV; 111. Const. 1970, art. I, § 2). We affirm.

Before trial, the defendant filed a motion in limine seeking to bar introduction of his 1985 felony conviction for…