Muscatine teenager charged with attempt to commit murder

February 27, 2020 - Muscatine County Attorney Alan R. Ostergren announced today that JATTATHIAS JALEE HODGES, 16, of Muscatine was arrested yesterday by the Muscatine Police Department for the offense of attempt to commit murder. The charge is a class "B" forcible felony punishable by imprisonment for a term not to exceed 25 years. Because the defendant is 16 and the offense is a forcible felony he is being charged as an adult.

The criminal complaint alleges that on February 21, 2020, at approximately 10:24 p.m. HODGES did fire several rounds from a firearm at a 16-year-old male subject while at a residence in the 600 block of East 6th Street in Muscatine. The victim was struck a single time in the shoulder. The victim's injuries required emergency medical treatment but are not life threatening.

HODGES had an initial appearance before a judge this morning. The court set bond at $300,000 cash-only. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 9, 2020 at 9:00 a.m.

The charge against HODGES is merely an accusation, he is presumed to be innocent.

His mugshot:

Muscatine Man Found Guilty of First Degree Murder

Today, January 17, 2020, a Muscatine County jury found DARIAN LENSGRAF, 18, of Muscatine, guilty of murder in the first degree for the December 12, 2018, killing of his grandmother Diana Lensgraf.

Evidence at trial showed that DARIAN LENSGRAF entered the home of the victim and stabbed her multiple times in the chest and throat. At trial he claimed that he was not guilty by reason of insanity. The jury's verdict rejected this claim.

The case was investigated by the Muscatine Police Department.

DARIAN LENSGRAF will be held in the Muscatine County Jail without bond pending his March 6, 2020, sentencing hearing at 9:00 a.m. He faces a mandatory sentence of life without the possibility of parole.

His mugshot:

Tipton Woman Receives 50-year Prison Sentence for 1992 Murder

Today, November 22, 2019, in Muscatine County District Court ANNETTE CAHILL, 56, of Tipton, was sentenced after being found guilty of murder in the second degree.

CAHILL was convicted in the 1992 beating death of Corey Wieneke of rural West Liberty. The case remained unsolved until CAHILL was arrested May 31, 2018. The arrest of CAHILL was the result of an investigation by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation and the Muscatine County Sheriff's Office.

CAHILL was found guilty after a 10-day jury trial in September, 2019. The case had originally proceeded to a jury trial in March, 2019. This resulted in a mistrial after the jury was unable to reach a verdict.

"I am grateful to the investigators for their outstanding work on this case," said Muscatine County Attorney Alan R. Ostergren. "Since 1992 countless hours have been invested in bringing justice to Corey Wieneke's family. Although this took longer than anyone wanted, I am so happy that his family received justice today," he continued.

The Court imposed a prison sentence of a term not to exceed 50 years. It will be up to the Iowa Board of Parole how long CAHILL serves in prison. "I will recommend to the Board of Parole that they keep the defendant in prison for as long as is legally permitted," said Ostergren.

CAHILL will be held in custody until she is transported to the Iowa Correctional Institution for Women at Mitchellville. She is not entitled to an appeal bond.

An updated mugshot of CAHILL:

Murder charge filed in death of Muscatine woman

Today, October 18, 2019, Muscatine County Attorney Alan R. Ostergren announced that a charge of murder in the first degree was filed today against DAVID J.S. HATFIELD, 23, of Muscatine.

On October 16, 2019, the Muscatine County Joint Communications Center received a 911 call from HATFIELD stating that his girlfriend had shot herself at the Saulbury Recreation Area in rural Muscatine County. The criminal complaint alleges that in a subsequent interview HATFIELD admitted to having shot the victim and that he further admitted having fired a practice shot before doing so.

The victim of this incident is Kaitlyn Palmer, 18, of Muscatine. Palmer died at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics on October 17, 2019. The cause of death was a single gunshot wound to the head.

HATFIELD was previously charged with attempt to commit murder in connection with this incident. His bond is currently set at $1,000,000 cash only. He remains in custody in the Muscatine County Jail. His next court appearance will be a preliminary hearing on October 28, 2019, at 9:00 a.m.

Murder in the first degree is a class "A" felony punishable by life imprisonment.

This incident was investigated by the Muscatine County Sheriff's Office, the Muscatine Police Department, and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.

A criminal charge is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent.

Arrest made in bicycle fatality

Muscatine County Attorney Alan R. Ostergren announced that an arrest has been made in the August 12, 2019, death of a bicyclist.

On August 12, 2019, Muscatine Police Department and Iowa State Patrol responded to the area of 41st Street South and Grandview Avenue for a report of a bicyclist who had apparently been struck by a motor vehicle. The bicyclist, Devin Estabrook, later died from his injuries.

Charges have now been filed against TERRY GOUGH, 52, of Morning Sun, Iowa for the offense of leaving the scene of a fatality accident. The criminal complaint alleges that GOUGH was the operator of a commercial motor vehicle which struck Estabrook. The complaint further alleges that GOUGH did not stop and render aid as required by law. The complaint further alleges that GOUGH later drove past the scene again when emergency vehicles were present investigating the incident.

Leaving the scene of a fatality accident is a class "D" felony punishable by a prison term of not to exceed five years and a fine of between $750 and $7,500.

GOUGH was arrested without incident on this charge. His next court date is a preliminary hearing scheduled for October 25, 2019, at 9:00 a.m.

GOUGH's mugshot:

A criminal charge is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed to be innocent.

Life sentence for murder of Fairfield woman

Today, May 31, 2019, in Muscatine County District Court, DOUGLAS FOSTER, 36, of Marion, Iowa was sentenced for the murder of Lea Ponce of Fairfield, Iowa.

The Hon. Stuart Werling presided over the sentencing hearing. Calling the evidence produced at trial "overwhelming," he imposed sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.

"Justice was done today," said Muscatine County Attorney Alan R. Ostergren. "Judge Werling was correct when he said that this case was a tragic example of the scourge of narcotics trafficking and abuse in our state. This murder was motivated by the defendant's desire to get drugs. Because he wanted to get high a young woman tragically lost her life" Ostergren continued.

This case was investigated by the Muscatine County Sheriff's Office and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.

FOSTER's mugshot:

Marion, Iowa man found guilty of first degree murder

Muscatine County Attorney Alan R. Ostergren announced today, April 12, 2019, that DOUGLAS FOSTER, 36, of Marion, Iowa was found guilty after a five-day jury trial of the offense of murder in the first degree for the death of Lea Ponce on January 8, 2019. The jury deliberated approximately two hours before returning its verdict. The Hon. Stuart Werling presided over the trial.

FOSTER will be sentenced May 31, 2019, at 9:00 a.m. He is being held in the Muscatine County Jail without bond pending sentencing. He faces a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.

"I would like to thank the jury for their hard work on this case" said Ostergren. "This was a difficult case - they paid close attention to the complex facts in order to return their verdict. I would also like to thank the excellent investigative work done by the Muscatine County Sheriff's Office and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation" he added.

FOSTER's mugshot: