Madison, Wis. - John W. Vaudreuil, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Eric Maholmes, 30, Wausau, Wis., was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge William Conley to 78 months in federal prison for possessing crack cocaine with intent to distribute. Maholmes pleaded guilty to this charge on April 22, 2011.

On October 11, 2010, law enforcement officers searched an apartment in Wausau where Maholmes lived with his girlfriend, Stephanie Low, looking for evidence of Low's whereabouts because Low had been missing for several days. Inside the apartment, officers found approximately 28 grams of crack cocaine inside a safe, baggies and a digital scale.

Judge Conley stated that Maholmes deserved a substantial prison term because he had led a selfish and irresponsible lifestyle, and had a previous drug conviction and a robbery conviction.

As of the date of today's sentencing, Stephanie Low remains a missing person. Maholmes was in custody on unrelated charges at the time of Low's disappearance.

The charge against Maholmes was the result of an investigation conducted by the Marathon County Sheriff's Department, Special Investigations Unit, and the Wausau Police Department The prosecution of this case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul W. Connell.

 

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