By Jacob Mathias

An arrest warrant has been issued for a Wisconsin Rapids woman charged with felony possession of methamphetamine after being searched following a disturbance in late November.

Heidi Hewuse, 33, is charged with felony possession of methamphetamine which carries a maximum sentence of up to three years and six months imprisonment, or a $10,000 fine or both if convicted. She is also charged with misdemeanor possession of an illegally obtained prescription for which she can be sentenced with up to six months imprisonment, or a $500 fine or both. A final charge, possession of drug paraphernalia, carries a sentence of up to 30 days imprisonment, or a $500 fine or both if convicted.

Hewuse was free on a $1,500 signature bond under the condition that she maintain absolute sobriety. After failing to show up for her initial appearance in Wood County Circuit Court on December 14, Judge Todd Wolf ordered a warrant for her arrest and set a $2,000 cash bond.

According to court documents, Wisconsin Rapids Police officers were dispatched to a home on the 1000 block of 10th Avenue North on November 25 in response to a reported disturbance. When they arrived, they found Hewuse laying on a mattress on the living room floor.

Hewuse consented to a search by police. While searching her purse, police found .172 grams of methamphetamine, syringes used for heroin injections and a pipe for smoking meth. She was then arrested.

A further search at the Wood County Jail uncovered a bottle labeled as over-the-counter acetaminophen but actually containing the prescription drug gabapentin. Hewuse said the drug helped with symptoms associated with heroin withdrawal. She had no prescription for the drug.

The warrant for Hewuse’s arrest is active as of December 14.

This case has not been concluded. Unless a judgment of conviction is entered, the defendant is presumed innocent of all charges.