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Friday, March 29, 2013

Muscatine County District Court 3/29/2013

Today, March 29, 2013, in Muscatine County District Court:

SEAN RYAN BURTLOW, DOB: 8/20/1982, of Muscatine, was sentenced for the offenses of Burglary in the Third Degree and Theft in the Second Degree. The Court suspended prison sentences of not to exceed five years on each count and ordered the defendant to be placed at the Residential Correctional Facility as a condition of supervised probation. Investigation by the Muscatine County Sheriff's Department showed that the defendant had stolen an all-terain vehicle from a farm outbuilding.


FERNANDO DELEON ZUNIGA, DOB: 6/9/1978, of West Liberty, was sentenced for the offense of Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver. The Court sentenced the defendant to a prison term of not to exceed ten years and a fine of $1,000. Investigation by the Muscatine County Sheriff's Department showed that the defendant was in possession of approximately six baggies containing cocaine which the defendant intended to sell.


REY BARRIOS GAYTAN, JR., DOB: 7/11/1990, of Muscatine, was sentenced for the offense of Delivery of a Controlled Substance. The Court suspended a prison sentence of not to exceed ten years and ordered the defendant to be placed at the Residential Correctional Facility as a condition of supervised probation. Investigation by the Muscatine County Drug Task Force showed that the defendant delivered cocaine to a confidential informant.

Guilty Plea and Prison Sentence in Sex Abuse Case

ROBERT ANTHONY HOWARD, DOB: 8/28/1990, pled guilty on March 26, 2013, to the offenses of Lascivious Acts with a Child and Child Endangerment Causing Bodily Injury. The defendant waived his right to a delay and proceeded immediately to sentencing. The Court imposed a prison term of not to exceed ten years on the Lascivious Acts charge and not to exceed five years on the Child Endangerment charge. The sentences were ordered to be served concurrently. In addition the defendant was placed on supervised release for the remainder of his life following completion of the prison sentence.

The case against HOWARD was investigated by the Muscatine Police Department. HOWARD was originally found guilty after a jury trial of the offenses of Sexual Abuse in the Second Degree and Child Endangerment Causing Bodily Injury. The jury trial occurred in August, 2010. The evidence at trial showed that HOWARD had committed a sex act with an 18 month old victim. The Iowa Supreme Court ordered a new trial in December, 2012, after determining that the defendant's confession should not have been admitted into evidence.

"We consulted closely with the family of the victim about the strength of our case after the appeal. It was important to me to reach a resolution of the case which would result in the defendant serving lifetime supervised release and being on the sex offender registry. This was the best result we could hope for to protect the community," said Muscatine County Attorney Alan R. Ostergren.

Thursday, March 28, 2013

Guilty Verdict in Sexual Abuse Trial

Today, March 28, 2013, in Muscatine County District Court a jury returned a verdict of guilty on six counts of Sexual Abuse in the Second Degree against defendant PEDRO CAMACHO OLEA. The jury trial began on Monday, March 25. District Judge Thomas Reidel presided.

The evidence at trial showed that OLEA (DOB: 1/28/1968) had sexually abused two girls during the time period of 1998 to 2002. The girls were grade school aged when the abuse occurred. During the time period of the abuse OLEA resided in both the City of Muscatine and in a trailer park in rural Muscatine County.

"I want to thank Sgt. Ardyth Orr with the Muscatine County Sheriff's Department for her work on this case," said Muscatine County Attorney Alan R. Ostergren. "Her investigation gave me the evidence I needed to present this case to the jury," he continued. "I also want to acknowledge the excellent work done by the staff at the Child Protection Center in Muscatine. They gave these victims a safe place to tell their story and to start the healing process. This case is a prime example of how important the CPC is to this community," Ostergren said.

"Most of all, I want to thank the victims for being so brave. They walked into court and told the jury what the defendant did to them. That takes real courage," Ostergren added.

Each count carries a mandatory sentence of imprisonment for a term not to exceed 25 years. Iowa law provides that the defendant must serve 17.5 years of the sentence before being eligible for parole. It will be in the sentencing judge's discretion whether the six counts will be served concurrently or will be partially or completely consecutive.

After the jury's verdict the court revoked the defendant's bond and ordered him held without bond pending a sentencing hearing set for May 24, 2013, at 9:00 a.m.

Friday, March 22, 2013

Muscatine Man Sentenced to Prison for Assault on Mall Employee

Today, March 22, 2013, in Muscatine County District Court:

SCOTT CHANCEY, DOB: 5/31/1962, of Muscatine, was sentenced after being convicted at jury trial of the offense of Assault Causing Serious Injury, a class “D” felony. The Court imposed a prison sentence of not to exceed five years and a fine of $750.

Investigation by the Muscatine Police Department showed that the defendant assaulted an employee of the Muscatine shopping mall after that employee placed a notice on his vehicle stating that CHANCEY’s vehicle was illegally parked. The victim suffered a compound fracture of the arm, a fractured hip, and other injuries.

“I am pleased with this result,” said Muscatine County Attorney Alan Ostergren. “Mr. Chancey assaulted the victim without any provocation and caused serious injuries to the victim. The sentence of imprisonment was well-deserved,” he continued.

In other cases:

RAUL SANTANA MINIX-ESPINOZA, DOB: 4/25/1990, of Muscatine, was sentenced after pleading guilty to Burglary in the Second Degree and two counts of Attempted Burglary in the Third Degree. The Court imposed suspended prison sentences for a total of ten years and ordered that the defendant be sent to the Residential Correctional Facility in Davenport.

Investigation by the Muscatine Police Department showed that MINIX-ESPINOZA burglarized an occupied residence and attempted to break into two other residences.

  
LIONEL SCHNACK, DOB: 11/7/1978, of Davenport, was sentenced after pleading guilty to Operating a Motor Vehicle While Intoxicated, Third Offense. The defendant was sentenced to serve an indeterminate prison term of not to exceed five years and pay a fine of $3,125. His privilege to operate a motor vehicle will be revoked for six years.

Investigation by the Muscatine Police Department showed that SCHNACK was operating a motor vehicle in downtown Muscatine while he was intoxicated.

Friday, March 8, 2013

Muscatine County District Court 3/8/2013

Today, March 8, 2013, in Muscatine County District Court:

Joseph STOVER, DOB: 4/26/1981, of Muscatine was sentenced for the offense of Manufacture of a Controlled Substance, methamphetamine. Investigation by the Muscatine County Drug Task Force showed that STOVER had manufactured methamphetamine at a residence in Muscatine.
Starlin VARGAS, DOB: 3/9/1994, of Conesville pled guilty to three counts of Burglary in the Third Degree. Investigation by the Muscatine County Sheriff’s Office showed that VARGAS burglarized a Conseville residence on three occasions in May and October, 2012. VARGAS will be sentenced April 19, 2013, at 9:30 a.m.