An Algonquin man has been sentenced to seven years in prison after prosecutors say he possessed a backpack full of drugs prepared for distribution that was found inside a stolen vehicle in Algonquin.
Charles E. Adkerson, 39, of Algonquin, was charged in March 2025 with four counts of manufacturing or delivery of a controlled substance and six counts of possession of a controlled substance.
The Algonquin Police Department launched an investigation last March into a burglarized and stolen vehicle.
The vehicle had been used in the commission of an unrelated crime but was later returned to its owner, prosecutors said.
The owner consented to officers conducting a search of the vehicle and they discovered a backpack belonging to Adkerson, prosecutors said.
A search warrant was obtained and investigators searched the backpack and recovered cocaine, methamphetamine and heroin, along with drug paraphernalia.
Much of the narcotics were packaged in numerous small bags, a method commonly used by individuals involved in the distribution of illegal drugs, prosecutors said.
Court records show Adkerson entered into a negotiated plea deal with the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office earlier this week.
He pleaded guilty to one count of possession of cocaine with intent to deliver, a Class X felony. The rest of his charges were dismissed.
McHenry County Judge Christopher Harmon approved the plea deal and sentenced Adkerson to seven years in the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) pursuant to the agreement on Wednesday.
“Drug distribution continues to pose a serious threat to the safety of this community. This sentence reflects the importance of holding individuals accountable when they choose to traffic dangerous narcotics,” McHenry County State’s Attorney Randi Freese said.
Freese lauded Officers James Moore and Sarah Peters of the Algonquin Police Department and Officer Ryan Schack of the Crystal Lake Police Department “for their diligence in investigating this case.”
The prison sentence will be served at 50% in accordance with truth-in-sentencing guidelines. He will receive credit for 272 days of time served in custody.
Adkerson is already in the IDOC serving a separate seven-year sentence for possession of child pornography and possession of a controlled substance out of Kane County.