Pubdate: Tue, 25 Jul 2006
Source: Iowa City Press-Citizen (IA)
Copyright: 2006 Iowa City Press-Citizen
Contact:  http://www.press-citizen.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1330
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)

MAN SENTENCED TO 25 YEARS ON DRUG CHARGES

Erich O. Newton was sentenced to 25 years in prison Monday on federal 
drug charges stemming from the death of his girlfriend in 2004.

Newton, 31, of North Liberty pleaded guilty last year to conspiracy 
to distribute cocaine resulting in death and possession of a firearm 
in furtherance of drug trafficking.

Newton's girlfriend, Sara Palumbo, died Jan. 14, 2004, at Mercy 
Hospital shortly after a man dropped her off there. Police said 
Palumbo was unconscious when she arrived at the hospital. She died 
from a cocaine overdose, investigators said.

As part of his plea agreement, Newton admitted to participating in 
cocaine trafficking from 1995 to 2004. Newton received cocaine from 
the Chicago area and then redistributed the cocaine in Johnson 
County, according to the U.S. Attorney's office.

U.S. District Court Judge Ronal Longstaff also ordered Newton to 
serve four year of supervised probation following his release from 
prison and pay $200 in crime victims fund assessments.
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