Huntley man to face drug charges

A Huntley man will appear in court today to face charges he provided heroin that left a woman in a coma last month.

Joseph Pace, 20, of 11611 Bernice Ave., faces between four and 15 years in prison on charges of drug induced aggravated battery causing great bodily harm. Authorities say Pace gave heroin to Kelly Cunningham, 18, in August. Cunningham took the drug some time later and fell into a coma, authorities said. The victim has since awakened from the coma and is expected to survive, authorities said.

"She is out of a coma," said Nichole Owens, chief of the McHenry County state's attorney's criminal division. "I don't think she is even in hospital anymore."

Pace was indicted by a grand jury on Sept. 18. He was facing pending felony drug charges at the time of the latest offense, Owens said. Pace has remained in McHenry County jail on $200,000 bond since pleading not guilty to the latest charges on Monday.