MADISON, WIS. — Two people from central Wisconsin have been indicted on drug charges, according to a Department of Justice news release issued Wednesday.
Joel J. Helding, 32, of Tomahawk, and 25-year-old Valerie A. Flores of Wausau are charged with possessing 100 kilograms or more of marijuana with intent to distribute.
Helding also faces accusations of carrying a loaded 9-mm pistol and a .380 pistol in connection with the drug charge, or a “charge of possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime,” the release states.
The two were arrested in January after police seized about 290 pounds of marijuana, three firearms and two stun guns following two separate chases through four Wisconsin counties, according to the Marathon County Sheriff’s Department.
The pursuits both originated near Osseo on Jan. 15, when DCI agents, State Patrol troopers and members of the Marathon County Special Investigations Unit attempted to stop two vehicles suspected of transporting a large amount of illegal contraband, according to court documents.
Police say Helding, who was driving a GMC Yukon, fled westbound into Osseo. After a short pursuit jumped out of his vehicle and attempted to flee on foot before he was captured.
The second vehicle, a Subaru Forester driven by Flores, was traveling eastbound on Hwy. 10 when troopers tried to make a stop. Police say Flores led officers on a 30-mile chase through Trempealeau, Jackson, Eau Claire and Clark Counties before troopers used a “pursuit intervention technique” maneuver to stop the vehicle.
Police located the drugs and weapons when they searched both vehicles, according to court records.
If convicted, both Helding and Flores face a mandatory minimum of five years and a maximum penalty of 40 years in federal prison on the marijuana charge.
Helding also faces a mandatory minimum five years on the weapons charge. Federal law requires that any penalty imposed for this charge be served consecutive to any sentence imposed on the drug charge.
The charges against Helding and Flores are the result of an investigation by the Marathon County Special Investigations Unit, which includes the Marathon County Sheriff’s Office and the Wausau and Everest Metropolitan Police Departments, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Wisconsin State Patrol. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert A. Anderson.
All photos courtesy of the Marathon County Sheriff’s Department.
