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Friday, August 29, 2014

Prison sentence for child endangerment, domestic abuse

Today, August 29, 2014, in Muscatine County District Court SHAWN WAKEFIELD, DOB: 6/23/1983, of Muscatine, was sentenced after pleading guilty to Child Endangerment Causing Bodily Injury and Domestic Abuse Assault (Strangulation). Investigation by the Muscatine Police Department showed that in an incident on March 27, 2014, the defendant struck a minor child in the face causing a broken nose and also assaulted his wife by squeezing her neck. The Court imposed concurrent prison sentences of not to exceed five years for the child endangerment offense and two years for the domestic abuse offense. The sentences were ordered to be served concurrently.

WAKEFIELD's mugshot:



Other dispositions:


Friday, August 22, 2014

Muscatine County District Court 8/22/2014

Today, August 22, 2014, in Muscatine County District Court:

JAMES SALVADOR ROCHA, DOB: 12/19/1996, of Muscatine was sentenced for the offense of Burglary in the Second Degree. Investigation by the Muscatine Police Department showed that ROCHA forced his way into a residence and assaulted the occupant. The court imposed a suspended sentence of incarceration for a term not to exceed ten years and placed the defendant on supervised probation for three years.


THOMAS HUNTER, III, DOB: 9/27/1975, of Muscatine pleaded guilty to the offense of Domestic Abuse Assault. Investigation by the Muscatine Police Department showed that the defendant assaulted his live-in girlfriend by squeezing her neck to obstruct her breathing. The defendant's conduct resulted in a bodily injury. The defendant will be sentenced October 3, 2014, at 9:15 a.m.

Murder Charge Filed

Today, August 22, 2014, Muscatine County Attorney Alan R. Ostergren announced that a charge of Murder in the First Degree has been filed against JOSE ANTONIO TAPIA, DOB: 10/15/1986, of Muscatine for the offense of Murder in the First Degree. The trial information alleges that TAPIA murdered Michael Lee Newman on August 8, 2014. The trial information further alleges that the killing was willful, deliberate, and premeditated. The offense is a class "A" felony which carries a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.

TAPIA had been arrested on August 11, 2014, on unrelated drug trafficking offenses. He was then charged with Attempt to Commit Murder and Willful Injury the following day. Newman died as a result of his injuries during the evening of August 20, 2014. Newman had been receiving medical treatment at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City. He did not regain consciousness following the incident. As a result, the charges for Attempt to Commit Murder and Willful Injury have now been superseded by the charge of Murder in the First Degree.

TAPIA remains in the Muscatine County Jail. His bond on all of his pending charges is $300,000 cash only.

The arrest of TAPIA for murder is the result of an investigation by the Muscatine Police Department. The drug charges are the result of an investigation by the Muscatine County Drug Task Force.

The charges filed are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed to be innocent.

TAPIA's mugshot:


Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Attempt to Commit Murder and Willful Injury Charges Filed in Connection with Weekend Incident

Today, August 13, 2014, Muscatine County Attorney Alan R. Ostergren announced that criminal charges have been filed against JOSE ANTONIO TAPIA, JR., DOB: 10/15/1986, relating to an incident on Friday, August 8, 2014, in the 400 block of Peachtree St., Muscatine.

TAPIA was charged with the offenses of Attempt to Commit Murder and Willful Injury. Attempt to Commit Murder is a class "B" felony punishable by up to 25 years imprisonment. Willful Injury is a class "C" felony punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment. TAPIA had already been in custody having been arrested on Monday, August 11, 2014, on unrelated drug trafficking offenses. He is being held on a $50,000 cash only bond for the drug offenses.

TAPIA will be held without bond on the new charges until an initial appearance on Thursday, August 14, 2014.

The criminal complaints allege that TAPIA struck the victim, Michael Newman, of the 400 block of Peachtree, with a baseball bat and caused serious injury. The criminal complaints further allege that TAPIA intended to cause the victim's death. Newman remains hospitalized due to injuries suffered in the incident.

The criminal charges against TAPIA are merely accusations and he is presumed to be innocent unless found guilty in a court proceeding.

TAPIA's mugshot:


Friday, August 1, 2014

Guilty pleas in three sexual abuse cases

Today, August 1, 2014, in Muscatine County District Court:

LEVI LAND, DOB: 2/17/1995, of Fruitland, pleaded guilty to Sexual Abuse in the Third Degree. Investigation by the Muscatine Police Department showed that he had sexual intercourse with a minor between December, 2013, and June, 2014. He will be sentenced September 19, 2014, at 9:00 a.m.

LAND's mugshot:



ROBERT HEICK, DOB: 6/6/1971, of Durant, pleaded guilty to three counts of Lascivious Acts with a Child. Investigation by the Muscatine County Sheriff's Department showed that HEICK had fondled a child's genitals in the year 2007. HEICK will be sentenced September 12, 2014, at 9:30 a.m.

HEICK's mugshot:



NINH VAN TRINH, DOB: 6/21/1983, of West Liberty, pleaded guilty to Sexual Abuse in the Third Degree. Investigation by the Muscatine County Sheriff's Department  and the West Liberty Police Department showed that he forced another individual to fondle his genitals. TRINH will be sentenced September 12, 2014, at 9:45 a.m.

TRINH's mugshot: