Rochester Man Tied to 2002 Murder Pleads Guilty For Cocaine Bust

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - A Rochester man, who was sent to prison more than 20 years ago for his involvement in a gang-related murder in Rochester, has admitted to a first-degree drug charge stemming from a significant drug bust that occurred two years ago.

According to Olmsted County Court records 43-year-old Viengvilay Phetsomphou was arrested on April 28, 2023 when investigators with the Olmsted County Sheriff's Office and members of the Southeast Minnesota Violent Crimes Enforcement Team executed a "knock and announce" search warrant at a residence in the 2000 block of Valkyrie Drive Northwest in Rochester. During the search, investigators found three stacks of US currency and a heat-the sealed bag containing more than 3 ounces of cocaine.

The criminal complaint says the baggie containing the drugs was found in the pocket of a grey sweatshirt that also contained a gold chain with a pendant. The court document says investigators found multiple photos on Phetsomphou's Facebook account wearing the chain and pendant that was found with the cocaine.

Under the terms of his plea agreement, Phetsomphou agreed to enter a guilty plea to the felony drug charge and prosecutors agreed to request a six year prison sentence, which is on the low end of the range listed under state sentencing guidelines for the conviction.

Phetsomphou is scheduled to be sentenced in June.

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In the 2002 murder case, Phetsomphou entered a guilty plea to aiding and abetting second-degree murder for being the driver of the getaway vehicle following the shooting that claimed the life of a 19-year-old Rochester man. Court documents indicate that investigators linked the shooting to an earlier brawl involving more than 100 members of rival gangs outside a Rochester restaurant.