Wapello man pleads guilty to methamphetamine trafficking

Sept. 25, 2018 in Muscatine County District Court:

JEFFREY BRIAN CHAPMAN, 35, of Wapello pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver. One count was a class "B" felony punishable by imprisonment for a term not to exceed 25 years. The other count was a class "C" felony punishable by imprisonment for a term not to exceed 10 years. Investigation by the Muscatine County Sheriff's Office and the Muscatine County Drug Task Force revealed that CHAPMAN had been in possession of a distribution quantity of methamphetamine on two separate occasions.

CHAPMAN will be sentenced November 2, 2018, at 9:15 a.m.

CHAPMAN's mugshot:

Man sentenced to prison for repeated domestic abuse incidents

Today, September 14, 2018, in Muscatine County District Court, JEREMY RICHARD MUNSON, 41, of Muscatine, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to two counts of domestic abuse by strangulation causing injury and one count of assault causing injury. The charges related to separate incidents involving the same victim. Each investigation was conducted by the Muscatine Police Department.

The defendant was sentenced to consecutive sentences of imprisonment for a total term of not to exceed 11 years. He was also ordered to not have contact with the victim.

MUNSON's mugshot:

Prison sentence in stabbing incident

Today, August 22, 2018, in Muscatine County District Court RONALD VESTER JOHNSON, 40, of Muscatine was sentenced after pleading guilty to willful injury. An investigation by the Muscatine Police Department showed that JOHNSON had assisted his brother Patrick Johnson in the assault and stabbing of another individual. That individual suffered a deep stab wound to the chest. Patrick Johnson was previously sentenced to a prison term of not to exceed 15 years for his involvement in the attack.

RONALD JOHNSON was sentenced to an indeterminate term of not to exceed five years and ordered to pay a fine of $750. He was further ordered to have no contact with the victim. He will be transported back to the Illinois Department of Corrections to complete serving a sentence for methamphetamine manufacturing before he begins serving his Iowa sentence.

RONALD JOHNSON' mugshot:

Walcott woman pleads guilty to firearm and theft charges

Today, August 21, 2018, in Muscatine County District Court MELISSA ANN CASSIDY, 35, of Walcott, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm as a habitual offender and theft in the third degree. The investigation of CASSIDY was conducted by the Wilton Police Department, Walcott Police Department, and the Muscatine County Sheriff's Office. The investigation revealed that CASSIDY had stolen a firearm. CASSIDY had previously been convicted of several drug-related felony offenses. CASSIDY will be sentenced October 19, 2018, at 9:15 a.m.

CASSIDY's mugshot:

Additional arrests made in investigation of thefts of cemetery vases

Today, August 16, 2018, Muscatine County Attorney Alan R. Ostergren announced that two additional individuals have been arrested in connection with an investigation into the theft of brass vases from cemeteries in Muscatine and the surrounding area. Charges were filed against JUSTIN LYLE WINTER, 44, and LYLE EVERETT WINTER, 70. Both men are charged with theft in the first  degree and ongoing criminal conduct. The charges are a class “C” felony and class “B” felony respectively.

The criminal complaints allege that both men, acting as the operators of Muscatine Metals, knowingly accepted brass cemetery vases while knowing that they were stolen property. The criminal complaints further allege that the men engaged in 25 transactions where they purchased stolen property.

The arrests of both men were the result of an investigation by the Muscatine Police Department. One individual had already been charged as a result of the investigation. As with any criminal charge, the charges against these individuals are merely accusations. They are presumed innocent unless and until convicted in court.

Prison sentence for shooting; guilty plea in robbery

Today, August 3, 2018, in Muscatine County District Court:

EMMANUEL HOWARD, 18, of Davenport, Iowa was sentenced after pleading guilty to intimidation with a dangerous weapon. Investigation by the Muscatine Police Department showed that HOWARD fired a gun at an assembly of persons. No one was injured during the incident. The Court imposed a prison sentence for a term not to exceed five years.

HOWARD's mugshot:

Also today, EARL NATHANUAL WOOTEN, IV, 25 of Muscatine pleaded guilty to theft in the first degree, theft in the second degree, two counts of theft in the third degree, and criminal mischief in the fourth degree. Investigation by the Muscatine Police Department and Muscatine County Sheriff's Office revealed that WOOTEN smashed a display case at the Muscatine WalMart where he took several pellet guns. WOOTEN then traveled to the Kum & Go store on Park Avenue in Muscatine where he brandished one of the pellet guns at a clerk. WOOTEN took cash from the register and escaped on foot. Further investigation showed that WOOTEN was in possession of a stolen motor vehicle throughout the incident. He will be sentenced September 28, 2018 at 9:15 a.m.

WOOTEN's mugshot:

Guilty plea in stabbing incident

Today, July 9, 2018, in Muscatine County District Court:

RONALD VESTER JOHNSON, 40, of Muscatine pleaded guilty to willful injury in connection with the March 8, 2017, stabbing of an individual in Muscatine. JOHNSON'S brother, Patrick Johnson, had previously pleaded guilty in connection with the incident and was sentenced to a term of imprisonment. RONALD JOHNSON was arrested in the State of Illinois shortly after the Muscatine incident and could not be prosecuted here until his Illinois charges were resolved.

The prosecution of both defendants was the result of an investigation by the Muscatine Police Department. The investigation revealed that Patrick Johnson stabbed an individual in front of the AmericInn Hotel in Muscatine. The victim suffered a stab wound to the upper chest and has since made a full recovery. The investigation revealed that Ronald Johnson participated in the attack by kicking at the victim.

Sentencing will be held August 24, 2018, at 9:00 a.m. Johnson will remain in custody pending sentencing. After being sentenced in Iowa he will be transported back to the Illinois Department of Corrections to complete his sentence there.

Ronald Johnson's mugshot: