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.