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Fairfield woman pleads guilty to domestic assault, sentenced to six months
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FAIRFIELD – A Fairfield woman was sentenced to six months in prison on Tuesday, Jan. 6 after pleading guilty to domestic abuse assault with a dangerous weapon and child endangerment.
A district court judge sentenced Maria Storm Handley, 32, to 364 days of incarceration, but only imposed 180 of those days, and suspended the remainder. The prosecutor had asked for a 364-day sentence.
In addition to the two charges she pleaded guilty to, Handley was earlier charged with attempted murder and going armed with intent related to an incident that occurred in Jefferson County on July 3, 2024. According to a law enforcement officer who responded to the call, the incident occurred at 2217 Mint Blvd. southeast of Fairfield, when Handley allegedly pointed a gun at her then boyfriend and said “I’m done with you.” The man was able to disarm Handley, and a child removed the weapon from the area. The incident report states that Handley was found several miles away, walking with two young children, and had left her vehicle in a random driveway.
Jefferson County Attorney Chauncey Moulding said Handley was originally charged with domestic abuse with a dangerous weapon, but upon subsequent investigation, the attempted murder charge was added, as well as the going armed with intent charge. He said the prosecution alleges that Handley pointed a gun at her boyfriend and pulled the trigger, but the gun did not fire, and that she did this in the presence of her own young children.
“One of benefits of reaching a plea agreement has been to effectuate justice, but also to prevent [Handley’s] minor children from having to testify against her,” Moulding said. “I recognize the deep trauma of having to testify against one’s mother.”
Handley was represented by attorney Gary Oldenburger. The Union reached out to Oldenburger for a comment on this case in December but had not heard back as of press time on Jan. 7.
Call Andy Hallman at 641-575-0135 or email him at andy.hallman@southeastiowaunion.com
