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. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman