MADISON, WI (WSAU) — A Wausau woman was one of two people indicted Wednesday for federal drug charges.
Valerie A. Flores, age 25 and 32-year-old Joel J. Helding of Tomahawk were charged by a Grand Jury for possessing 100 kilograms or more of marijuana with intent to distribute.
Charges stem from a January 18th incident involving a traffic chase near the Western Wisconsin boarder. They were driving two separate vehicles and being followed by officers as part of a drug probe. Flores was arrested after an officer rear-ended her vehicle and it spun out of control. Helding was captured after his car went into the ditch at a dead-end and he tried to flee on foot.
The federal charges are in addition to felony charges in Trempealeau County, which is where they were arrested. Flores is accused of having over 110 pounds of pot in her car, according to the complaint. Helding is accused of having over 180 pounds of the drug. Both have entered not guilty pleas.
Additionally, Helding is facing charges of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The indictment alleges that on January 18, 2018, Helding possessed a loaded 9mm pistol and a .380 pistol.
If convicted, 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 faces a mandatory minimum five years on the charge of possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Federal law requires that any penalty imposed for this charge be served consecutive to any sentence imposed on the drug charge.
Charges in the case come as the result of a joint investigation between 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.
