ARLINGTON – A Northern Iowa man with a drug conviction dating back to the 1990s has been sentenced after authorities say deputies raided his Fayette County home twice in less than a month during narcotics investigations.
The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office said deputies were investigating a violation of a no-contact order at about 9:02 p.m. on December 15, 2025, at 859 High Street in Arlington when a search warrant was later executed.
Deputies arrested 59-year-old Eric William Halverson of Arlington. Authorities said Halverson was charged with possession of a controlled substance, second offense, methamphetamine; possession of a controlled substance, second offense, marijuana; possession of drug paraphernalia; and violation of a no-contact order, contempt.
Deputies also arrested 50-year-old Janel Kay Helfter of Fayette, another North Iowan, for violation of a no-contact order, contempt.
The sheriff’s office said the December 15 raid marked the second narcotics-related search warrant at Halverson’s residence in less than a month. Authorities said Halverson had also been arrested on November 27, 2025, for possession of a controlled substance, second offense, methamphetamine; possession of a controlled substance, second offense, marijuana; and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Court records show both criminal cases against Halverson were resolved on May 8, 2026.
In the December 15 case, Halverson pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a controlled substance, second offense, an aggravated misdemeanor. A second possession count was dismissed by the court. Judge Alan Thomas Heavens sentenced Halverson to 14 days in jail, imposed an $855 fine that was suspended, ordered a DNA requirement, and placed him on one year of probation.
In the earlier November 27 case, Halverson pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance, second offense, an aggravated misdemeanor. He also pleaded guilty to an amended charge of possession of a controlled substance – marijuana, second offense, a serious misdemeanor.
For the aggravated misdemeanor count in the November case, Halverson received a two-year prison sentence that was suspended, an $855 fine that was suspended, and two years of probation. For the marijuana count, he received a one-year jail sentence that was suspended, a $430 fine, and three years of probation. Court records show the sentences were ordered to run concurrently.
Court financial records in the November case list $1,554.58 due, including costs, fine and surcharge.
Halverson’s criminal history includes a 1999 conviction in Fayette County after he was originally charged in 1998 with manufacture, delivery, or possession with intent involving a controlled substance, a class D felony. Court records show he pleaded guilty in that case to possession of a controlled substance, a serious misdemeanor.
A criminal charge is merely an accusation. Defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Source note: Story based on the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office information and Iowa court record details supplied here.
