Eric Holt, 55 of Windham, has filed to appeal a federal conviction for “possession of a firearm by a person previously involuntarily committed to a mental institution.”
While in jail for violating a protective order issued by his wife, Holt, a former psychologist, was “blue-papered” to Spring Harbor Hospital where he received mental counseling. After his release in early May 2004, Holt went to stay at friend Chris Nolbert’s house in Portland. A day later, Holt allegedly approached Nolbert with a loaded revolver that Holt claimed he had found hidden behind the dashboard of his truck.
Nolbert surrendered the gun to Holt’s probation officer the next day and explained the incident. Nolbert testified the revolver had been given to him as a gift from Holt, though it had gone missing until its sudden appearance in Holt’s truck.
In trial, witness testimony conflicted with Holt’s defense. Nolbert testified that he had to coax Holt into giving up the revolver after he brought it into the house, while Holt claimed he had asked Nolbert to remove the gun from the truck for him.
Holt has been sentenced to 19 months in federal prison minus the 15 months of jail time already served while awaiting trial for the firearm charge. He will be transferred out of state to a federal prison’s medical facility for counseling during his remaining four months of jail time.
“Unfortunately he suffers from mental health problems,” said Assistant U.S Attorney McElwee who prosecuted the case. “And he’s been through a lot without treatment.”
Upon release, if his appeal fails, Holt will be on three-years supervised release and will not be allowed back into Cumberland County without permission of his probation officer, she said.
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