Woodstock man sentenced to prison in connection with McHenry man’s overdose death

McHenry County Judge Sharon Prather accepted Birong’s plea and sentenced him to seven years in prison.

In exchange for the man’s guilty plea, prosecutors dismissed additional charges, including possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance.

If the case had gone to trial and Birong were found guilty of drug-induced homicide, he would have faced as many as 30 years in prison.

The McHenry Police Department and McHenry Township Fire Protection District responded July 10 to a rescue call in the 3100 block of Lincoln Road for an unresponsive man, according to a news release.

When first responders arrived, they found Ackerman dead, the release said. Autopsy results showed Ackerman had heroin and fentanyl in his system.

Fentanyl is potent, synthetic opioid that can exaggerate the effects of heroin.

In October, McHenry police arrested Birong of the 2100 block of Willow Brook Drive, and another man, 45-year-old Timothy Colby, of the 1500 block of West May Avenue, McHenry, in connection with Ackerman’s death.

Both men were charged with drug-induced homicide and accused of playing a role in delivering Ackerman the heroin that killed him.

Colby has pleaded not guilty to all charges and is expected to make a court appearance May 2.