McHenry man receives 20-year sentence for cocaine possession

A McHenry man was sentenced Tuesday to 20 years in prison for possessing more than a pound of cocaine.

Ivan Olan, 58, accepted an offer Tuesday from the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office and pleaded guilty to a 2019 felony charge of possession of cocaine.

At the time of his arrest, Olan additionally was charged with possession with intent to deliver cocaine, possession with intent to deliver marijuana and possession of marijuana. The most serious charge, possession with intent to deliver cocaine, typically is punishable by as many as 30 years in prison.

In exchange for Olan’s guilty plea, however, prosecutors agreed to dismiss each of the remaining charges.

McHenry County Judge Robert Wilbrandt accepted Olan’s plea and sentenced him to 20 years in prison.

Officers with the Lake County Metro Enforcement Group arrested Olan and another woman, 52-year-old Cynthia Morgan, in May 2019.

Morgan pleaded guilty Tuesday to possession of marijuana and was sentenced to a kind of probation that is reserved for first-time drug offenders. If she successfully completes her probation term, Morgan will not have a conviction for possession of marijuana on her record.

“In light of her true involvement and lack of criminal history, I think this is an appropriate sentence,” Morgan’s attorney Steven Knight said Tuesday.

Olan and Morgan were arrested after police searched their home in the 700 block of Columbus Street, court records show.

The search yielded a large amount of cocaine, marijuana leaves, THC cartridges and more than $24,000 cash, according to court documents.

Olan’s attorney could not immediately be reached for comment Tuesday afternoon.

Although it’s now legal in Illinois to possess as many as 30 grams of marijuana, possession or delivery of larger amounts still is punishable by a fine or time in jail or prison.

Olan faces additional charges in Lake County, where he is scheduled for an Oct. 18 jury trial on separate drug charges.