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Friday, December 16, 2011

Muscatine man sentenced for going armed with intent and aggravated assault

Today (December 16, 2011) in Muscatine County District Court Scott Thomas BARBERICH, of Muscatine, was sentenced for Going Armed with Intent, a class "D" felony, and Aggravated Assault, an aggravated misdemeanor.

Investigation by the Muscatine Police Department showed that the defendant was involved in an altercation with another motorist while driving on U.S. Highway 61.  BARBERICH fired a shot from a handgun, striking the other vehicle one time.

BARBERICH received a suspended prison sentence for the felony offense and was ordered to serve 180 days in the Muscatine County Jail for the misdemeanor offense.

Man sentenced for sexual abuse of a minor

Today (December 16, 2011) in Muscatine County District Court JAMES FORRESTER, JR. (DOB: 2/4/1959), formerly of 318 E. 3rd Street, Apt. 3, Muscatine was sentenced after pleading guilty to Sexual Abuse in the Third Degree, a class "C" felony, and Tampering with a Witness, an aggravated misdemeanor.  The Court imposed consecutive prison sentences for a total term of not to exceed twelve years.  In addition, FORRESTER, will be placed on supervised release for the remainder of his life after he completes his prison sentence.  He will also be required to register as a sex offender.

Investigation by the Muscatine Police Department showed that FORRESTER performed a sex act against a fourteen year old and then threatened the victim to prevent the victim from coming forward to law enforcement.

FORRESTER was ordered to be immediately transported to the Iowa Department of Corrections to begin serving his sentence.

Guilty pleas entered

Today (Dec. 16, 2011) in Muscatine County District Court:

ESPERANZA NUNEZ (DOB: 7/16/1957) of 1307 Lucas Street, Muscatine pled guilty to two counts of Delivery of a Controlled Substance, each a class "C" felony.  NUNEZ was arrested after an investigation by the Muscatine County Drug Task Force in which she sold cocaine and hydrocodone.  NUNEZ will be sentenced January 27, 2012, at 9:00 a.m.

LAURA BAZAN (DOB: 11/15/1969) of 300 Sage Ct., West Liberty, pled guilty to Theft in the Second Degree, a class "D" felony, and Unauthorized Use of a Credit Card, an aggravated misdemeanor.  Investigation by the Muscatine Police Department showed that she had misused a credit card issued by the State of Iowa for transfer of child support payments.  BAZAN stole the card issued to her daughter and spent approximately $8,100 which had been intended to support her daughter's child.  BAZAN will be sentenced  January 27, 2012, at 9:30 a.m.

MARCEL WARREN (DOB: 12/23/1992) of 1014 Orange Street, Muscatine, pled guilty to Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver, a class "D" felony.  Investigation by the Muscatine County Drug Task Force showed that WARREN had been the operator of a motor vehicle which was stopped by law enforcement.  A passenger in the vehicle had approximately three pounds of marijuana in his possession.  WARREN admitted to driving the passenger in order to complete a drug transaction.

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Iowa City man sentenced for bank robbery

Today (December 13, 2011) in Muscatine County District Court a sentencing hearing was held regarding JAY MICHAEL HARKLESS (DOB: 3/19/1986), formerly of Iowa City, who had previously pled guilty to Robbery in the Second Degree.

The Court sentenced HARKLESS to serve a prison term not to exceed ten years.  HARKLESS will have to serve seven years of the sentence prior to parole eligibility.  He was also fined $1,000 and ordered to pay restitution for the money stolen during the robbery.

HARKLESS had robbed a Central State Bank branch location at the Muscatine HyVee store (2400 2nd Ave.) on December 16, 2009.  HARKLESS displayed a note and demanded money from the teller.  He was apprehended following an investigation involving the Muscatine, Coralville, Iowa City, North Liberty police departments and the Black Hawk County Sheriff's Department.  HARKLESS has previously pled guilty to four robberies in Johnson County, Iowa and has six counts of robbery pending in Black Hawk County.  He will be transported to the Iowa Medical and Classification Center to begin serving his prison sentence once his Black Hawk County charges are resolved.

Friday, December 2, 2011

Former Muscatine High School paraeducator sentenced for sexual and alcohol offenses

Today, December 2, 2011, in Muscatine County District Court, BRANDON REIMERS, DOB: 5/11/1984, formerly of 226 E Second Street, Apt. 4, Muscatine, was sentenced for Sexual Abuse in the Third Degree, Sexual Exploitation by a School Employee, and Providing Alcohol to a Minor.

The Court imposed concurrent sentences for a total term of incarceration of not to exceed ten years.  In addition upon release from prison REIMERS will be subject to supervised release as if on parole.  He will also be subject to sex offender registry requirements.

The investigation by the Muscatine Police Department showed that REIMERS performed a sex act against a 15 year old student at a time when he was employed as a paraeducator with Muscatine Community School District.  The investigation also showed that REIMERS used his position as a paraeducator to seek out his victim and that REIMERS provided alcohol to his victim.

"I am pleased with this result," said Muscatine County Attorney Alan Ostergren.  "The Court's sentence reflected the seriousness of the crime and its effect on the victim," he continued.  "As part of the disposition of the case I required REIMERS to surrender his paraeducator certificate," Ostergren added.

REIMERS was immediately taken into custody and will be transported to the Iowa Medical and Classification Center at Oakdale to commence his prison sentence.

Fifty year prison sentence in Muscatine child sex abuse case

Today, December 2, 2011, in Muscatine County District Court KENNETH FREI (DOB: 9/9/1966) formerly of 502 E. Seventh Street, Apt. 2, Muscatine, was sentenced following his pleas of guilty to five counts of Lascivious Acts with a Child.  The Court imposed consecutive prison sentences for a total term not to exceed fifty years.  In addition, FREI will be subject to parole supervision for the remainder of his life upon release from prison.  FREI will also be subject to sex offender registry requirements.  FREI was transported to the Iowa Medical and Classification Center at Oakdale to commence his term of incarceration.

"This case represented an excellent example of a multi-disciplinary approach to the investigation of suspected child abuse," said Muscatine County Attorney Alan Ostergren.  "Upon receiving the report Muscatine police worked closely with the Mississippi Valley Child Protection Center to obtain a forensically sound interview of the victim.  This interview, in combination with the excellent work by the Muscatine Police Department, resulted in a strong case and a guilty plea from the suspect" he continued.

The Mississippi Valley Child Protection Center is located in Muscatine and provides resources for children and families who have been victimized by abuse.  More information about the center and these issues can be found here.