EAU CLAIRE — An Eau Claire man who pleaded guilty to multiple drug charges will spend six years in prison.
Devine Spencer, 34, received a total of seven sentences for the charges, which were across two separate cases. But, because they will be served concurrently, only the longest determines his time behind bars.
The judge imposed two six-year sentences, one for possession with intent to deliver heroin and a second for being a felon in possession of a firearm. That was a bit less than the maximum seven-year sentence prosecutors sought, but more than the three to four years the defense asked for. Spencer will also spend five years on extended supervision after his release.
Court records show the case also involved more than $2,600 in seized money. Prosecutors offered to allow the money to go toward unpaid child support, rather than having the court declare it contraband and put it in the county’s treasury. The defense accepted the offer.
According to the criminal complaint, the charges stemmed from an early morning traffic stop. An officer tried to pull Spencer over because his car lacked a license plate, but Spencer didn’t pull over.
During the pursuit, the officer saw Spencer moving around and reaching into the back seat area. He eventually stopped at an Altoona gas station. The officer held Spencer and a passenger in the car at gunpoint until backup arrived.
Spencer had a suspended license and a search of the car found the drugs and a handgun. Spencer said the gun was likely stolen.