Clay Waller gets five years for Internet threat

Clay Waller has just been sentenced to five years in prison on his federal charge, according to the Southeast Missourian in Cape Girardeau.

Waller, who is a suspect in his wife’s disappearance seven months ago, was sentenced today for the federal charge of making an Internet threat against his sister-in-law.

During the plea hearing in October, he admitted he sent a threatening email to his wife’s sister in July.

The charge had carried a maximum sentence of five years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000.  In determining the actual sentences, a Judge was required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges.

A presentence investigation report had recommended a lesser sentence but the prosecutor asked for the maximum of five years.

This case was investigated by the Cape Girardeau Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution of the case was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Larry H. Ferrell.