Muscatine County District Court 2/28/2014

Today, Feb. 28, 2014, in Muscatine County District Court:

ZACHARY KENNETH MORSE, DOB: 6/22/1995, of Muscatine, was sentenced after pleading guilty to three counts of sexual exploitation of a minor. The Court suspended consecutive prison sentences on each count for a total of not to exceed fifteen years. MORSE was placed on supervised probation for a term of two years. In addition he will serve a ten year term of supervised release following his period of probation and will be required to register as a sex offender.

The arrest of MORSE was the result of an investigation by the Muscatine Police Department into the dissemination of sexually explicit photographs of a nude minor by MORSE.

MORSE's mugshot:

JOSE HERNANDEZ, DOB: 3/9/1991, of Atalissa, was sentenced after pleading guilty to eluding a pursuing law enforcement vehicle and operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated. The Court imposed a suspended five year prison sentence for the eluding charge and a 90 day jail sentence for the operating while intoxicated charge. Investigation by the Atalissa Police Department showed that HERNANDEZ was the operator of a motor vehicle which an officer attempted to stop for a traffic violation. HERNANDEZ refused to stop and attempted to elude the officer. The officer was able to eventually catch HERNANDEZ and determined that HERNANDEZ had been intoxicated while operating the vehicle. HERNANDEZ is also subject to an immigration detainer and the Muscatine County Attorney's Office anticipates will be removed from the United States by federal immigration officials.

HERNANDEZ's mugshot:

Muscatine County District Court 2/21/2014

Today, in Muscatine County District Court:

TRAVIS WAYNE STERNER, DOB: 2/17/1979, of Wilton, pled guilty to Burglary in the Second Degree, a class "C" felony. Investigation by the Wilton Police Department showed that STERNER had entered an attached garage at a residence and stole alcohol from a refrigerator and off of a shelf in the garage. The home was occupied at the time. STERNER will be sentenced April 4, 2014, at 9:45 a.m.

STERNER's mugshot:

SANTANA CHEYENNE ALVARADO, DOB: 6/30/1994, of Muscatine, was sentenced for the offenses of Burglary in the Third Degree and Theft in the Second Degree, each a class "D" felony. Investigation by the Muscatine Police Department showed that ALVARADO participated in a residential burglary in which electronic equipment was taken. The Court granted a deferred judgment, ordered ALVARADO to pay a $750 civil penalty, and ordered that as a condition of probation that ALVARADO successfully complete the program at the Residential Correctional Facility in Davenport, Iowa.

ALVARADO's mugshot:

JAMIE ALAN JOHNSON, DOB: 9/5/1985, of Muscatine, pled guilty to Child Endangerment Resulting in Injury and Failure to Appear, both class "D" felonies, and Theft in the Third Degree, an aggravated misdemeanor. Investigation by the Muscatine Police Department showed that JOHNSON had burglarized a residence and stolen tools. In a separate incident he struck his minor child in the face and caused an injury. JOHNSON then failed to appear in court after having been released on bond. JOHNSON will be sentenced April 4, 2014, at 9:15 a.m.

JOHNSON's mugshot:

Jury Returns Guilty Verdicts in Lascivious Acts Trial

Today, February 19, 2014, in Muscatine County District Court a jury returned guilty verdicts for two counts of Lascivious Acts with a Child against AQUILES GONZALEZ ALVARADO, DOB: 11/20/1948, of Muscatine. The trial lasted a total of three days. The Hon. Mary Howes presided.

Evidence at trial showed that ALVARADO had fondled the genitals of a young child on multiple occasions. The jury returned not guilty verdicts on two counts out of four that were charged.

"This is an excellent result," said Muscatine County Attorney Alan Ostergren. "The ten year-old victim was very brave and testified in court against her abuser. I am always impressed by how strong crime victims can be - especially children," Ostergren added. "I would like to complement Det. Joe Roseman of the Muscatine Police Department for doing an excellent job on this investigation," Ostergren continued.

ALVARADO will be sentenced April 11, 2014, at 9:00 a.m. The court revoked the previously granted bond and ordered ALVARADO to be held in lieu of $50,000 cash or surety bond. Each count is a class "C" felony and carries a possible prison term of not to exceed ten years.

ALVARADO's mugshot:

Also in Court today:

JACOB GRAY, DOB: 2/7/1982, of Muscatine, pled guilty to Delivery of a Controlled Substance, cocaine. Investigation by the Muscatine County Drug Task Force showed that on February 28, 2013, GRAY delivered approximately 3.7 grams of cocaine to a confidential source. GRAY will be sentenced April 4, 2014, at 9:00 a.m.

GRAY's mugshot:

Guilty Plea to Lascivious Acts with a Child

Today, February 18, 2014, in Muscatine County District Court ANDREW SCOTT MAYFIELD, DOB: 6/29/1984, of Muscatine, pled guilty to Lascivious Acts with a Child and Sex Offender Registration Violation.

Investigation by the Muscatine Police Department showed that the defendant fondled a preschool aged child. MAYFIELD had absconded from registration requirements in the State of Illinois due to a juvenile court proceeding in that state involving a sex offense.

"I am pleased that the defendant entered a guilty plea to this offense and that we were able to spare a very young child from having to testify in court," said Muscatine County Attorney Alan R. Ostergren.

MAYFIELD will be sentenced April 19, 2014. He remains in the Muscatine County Jail pending sentencing.

MAYFIELD's mug shot:

Muscatine County District Court 2/14/2014

Today in Muscatine County District Court:

AUSTIN DIETRICH (DOB: 3/25/1988), of Muscatine was sentenced after pleading guilty to two counts of Delivery of a Controlled Substance. Investigation by the Muscatine County Drug Task Force showed that the defendant delivered marijuana on two occasions to a confidential source. The total amount transacted was approximately 1.5 ounces. The Court imposed a suspended sentence of incarceration and placed the defendant on supervised probation for a period of two years.

DIETRICH'S mugshot:

LANE GASAWAY (DOB: 2/25/1996), of Muscatine pled guilty to Lascivious Acts with a Child. Investigation by the Muscatine Police Department showed that GASAWAY solicited a thirteen year old to engage in a sex act. GASAWAY will be sentenced March 28, 2014, at 9:15 a.m.

GASAWAY'S mugshot: