Algonquin man pleads guilty to cocaine possession

A 52-year-old Algonquin man pleaded guilty Wednesday to a felony cocaine charge stemming from a 2018 sexual assault investigation.

Kiet H. Dang, of the 800 block of Fairway View Drive, pleaded guilty to a single count of possession of cocaine. Dang's agreement with the McHenry County state's attorney's office was a blind plea, meaning a judge will determine Dang's sentence at a Feb. 2 hearing.

Possession of 15 to 100 grams of cocaine is a felony typically punishable by four to 15 years in prison.

In exchange for Dang's guilty plea, prosecutors agreed to dismiss a more serious charge of possession with intent to deliver cocaine. If the case had gone to trial and Dang were convicted of this more serious charge, he would have faced between six and 30 years in prison.

Reached by phone Wednesday, Dang's attorney David Franks said he was "pleased with the progress thus far" in the case.

The Algonquin Police Department began its investigation against Dang in August 2018, court records show.

On Aug. 29, 2018, the Chicago Police Department notified Algonquin officers about a sexual assault that had reportedly taken place in Algonquin.

The 42-year-old alleged victim told police that Dang and another woman sexually assaulted her days earlier while she was visiting their home, according to court documents.

The alleged victim also told investigators there were drugs in the house and claimed the woman encouraged her to do cocaine, court records show. Neither Dang nor the woman was charged in connection with the sexual assault allegations. The McHenry County state's attorney's office could not be reached to comment.

Dang was arrested in September 2018 after police searched his house and discovered 17.7 grams of suspected cocaine. Officers also located $7,749 in cash, two firearms, and an Illinois concealed carry license in Dang's name, court records show.