Minneapolis man to serve 86 months for drug possession

WORTHINGTON ― Sai Vang, 36, of Minneapolis, will serve 86 months in prison in a drug case stemming from a June 2019 arrest.

Vang was the driver in a traffic stop in Worthington last year, and a search of the vehicle revealed more than 32 grams of methamphetamine, a digital scale, 125 plastic baggies and a glass pipe. Vang also had a butane torch on him.

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He was arrested and charged with first-degree drug sale, first-degree drug possession and second-degree drug possession, all felonies; misdemeanor driving after license revocation; and petty misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.

Vang pleaded guilty to Count 3, second-degree drug possession, with the other charges dropped as part of the plea agreement.

At a Wednesday sentencing hearing, Judge Terry Vajgrt ordered Vang to serve 86 months, with credit for 408 days.

Defense attorney Amanda Delaney noted that 86 months is actually less than the state sentencing guidelines recommend, based on Vang's criminal history, but the prosecution approved the plea deal because Vang agreed to do a "clearout interview" to help law enforcement.