Teenager sentenced to prison for sex offense

Today, October 28, 2011, in Muscatine County District Court a sentencing hearing was held concerning Fredrico GUILLEN (DOB: 10/27/1994) of 110 Liberty Street, Conesville.  GUILLEN had pleaded guilty to Lascivious Acts with a Child, a class "C" felony.  GUILLEN was arrested by the Muscatine County Sheriff's Department following an investigation into an incident on February 23, 2011.

Muscatine County District Judge Nancy Tabor sentenced GUILLEN to serve a prison sentence of an indeterminate term not to exceed ten years.  The judge also ordered that upon release from prison GUILLEN will be on supervised release as if on parole for the remainder of his life.  In passing sentence the Court particularly noted the nature of the offense and the defendant's history of sexual aggression in school.

"I am very pleased with this result," said Muscatine County Attorney Alan Ostergren.  "This defendant was a serious threat to the community.  He forcibly raped a child under the age of 12.  Justice was served," he continued.

GUILLEN was ordered transported to the Iowa Medical and Classification Center at Oakdale to begin serving his sentence.

Guilty pleas entered

Eli BROWN (DOB: 3/6/1987) of 1116 Kansas Street, Muscatine, pleaded guilty today (10/28/2011) to two counts of Delivery of a Controlled Substance, marijuana.  BROWN was arrested following an investigation by the Muscatine County Drug Task Force where he sold marijuana on two separate occasions.

Also today:

Joseph MENKE (DOB: 8/29/1989) of no known address, pleaded guilty today to Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree.  The defendant was arrested August 27, 2011, by the Muscatine Police Department after damaging motor vehicles in the area of Seventh and Chestnut streets. 

Anthony VAUGHT (DOB: 5/23/1993) of 309 Commerce Street, Stockton pleaded guilty to the following offenses:

• Four counts Operation of a Motor Vehicle without Owner's Consent;
• Three counts Burglary in the Third Degree (Motor Vehicle);
• One count Buglary in the Third Degree; and
• One count Operating While Intoxicated.

 VAUGHT was arrested August 1, 2011, following a spree where he took four separate vehicles without permission and was involved in multiple motor vehicle wrecks.  The case was investigated by Wilton Police Department, Muscatine County SO, and the Iowa State Patrol.

The defendants will be sentenced at a later date.  Their specific sentencing dates are not yet available.

Guilty plea in sexual abuse case

Today, October 26, 2011, in Muscatine County District Court James Clark FORRESTER, Jr. (DOB: 2/4/1959) of 318 E. 3rd Street, Apt. 3, Muscatine, pleaded guilty to Sexual Abuse in the Third Degree and Tampering with a Witness.  FORRESTER admitted to performing a sex act by force and against the will of the victim.  He also admitted to threatening the victim to prevent the victim from coming forward to law enforcement.

The prosecution of FORRESTER was the result of an investigation by the Muscatine Police Department.  He faces a prison term of twelve years followed by lifetime parole when he is sentenced on December 16, 2011, at 9:00 a.m.  He is being held without bond in the Muscatine County Jail awaiting sentencing.

Four sentenced in Muscatine County District Court

The following sentencings occurred today, October 21, 2011, in Muscatine County District Court:

Joan LANE (DOB: 9/17/1955), of 1615 Willow Street, Muscatine, was sentenced after pleading guilty to Theft in the First Degree, a class “C” felony.  The Court granted LANE’s request for a deferred judgment and placed her on probation for a term of two years.  As a condition of LANE’s guilty plea she had paid victim restitution in full.  The arrest of LANE was the result of an investigation by the Muscatine Police Department into embezzlement by LANE while she served as the treasurer of a homeowners association.  The investigation showed that she misappropriated approximately $14,000.

Joey GUILLEN (DOB: 1/7/1993), of 110 Liberty Street, Conesville, was sentenced after pleading guilty to Going Armed with Intent, a class “D” felony.  The Court granted GUILLEN a deferred judgment and placed him on probation for a term of two years.  As a condition of probation GUILLEN will be required to successfully complete the Residential Correctional Facility program and will be held in jail until bedspace is available for admission to the program.  GUILLEN was arrested by the Conesville Police Department after an incident on July 14, 2011, where he threatened another individual with a hammer and a knife.

KELLY LICK (DOB: 4/6/1980), of 629 Maple, Muscatine, was sentenced after pleading guilty to two counts of Unlawful Procurement of a Prescription Drug, each a class “C” felony punishable by imprisonment for a term not to exceed ten years.  The Court granted LICK a deferred judgment and placed her on probation.  LICK was arrested following an investigation by the Muscatine Police Department into acts whereby she obtained prescription narcotics under false pretenses.

HERMALINDA HERNANDEZ-AGUILAR (DOB: 12/27/1957) of 1091 Ripley Court, was sentenced after pleading guilty to Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver, a class “D” felony.  The defendant had accepted a parcel which contained a distribution quantity of marijuana with the intent to distribute it to other individuals.  Her arrest was the result of an investigation by the Muscatine County Drug Task Force.  The Court imposed a suspended sentence of incarceration for a term not to exceed five years and placed her on supervised probation.  She will be handed over to the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement Service under an immigration detainer.

Muscatine police arrest man for attempt to commit murder

Today, October 17, 2011, Muscatine police arrested TRAVIS BECK, DOB 9/1/1980, of 3470 Hwy 61 N., Muscatine and charged him with Attempt to Commit Murder for an incident on October 15, 2011.  The complaint alleges that BECK stabbed Chad Johnson multiple times in the back and chest with a pocket knife while in the 400 block of Green Street in Muscatine.  BECK was arrested without incident.

The victim was transported by Muscatine Fire Department to Trinity Hospital, Muscatine.  He was then transported to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics for emergency surgery for his wounds.  The victim is expected to recover from his injuries.

BECK will be held in the Muscatine County Jail without bond pending his appearance tomorrow at 9:00 a.m. before a judge at the Muscatine County Courthouse.  If convicted of the offense BECK would face a mandatory prison sentence for a term not to exceed 25 years.

The charge against BECK is merely an accusation.  He is presumed to be innocent.

Former Muscatine High School paraeducator pleads guilty to sexual and alcohol offenses

Today in Muscatine County District Court BRANDON REIMERS (DOB: 5/11/1984) of 2191 Seven Springs Road, Muscatine, pleaded guilty to Sexual Abuse in the Third Degree, Sexual Exploitation by a School Employee, and Providing Alcohol to a Minor.  REIMERS faces a maximum prison sentence of not to exceed sixteen years when he is sentenced December 2, 2011, at 9:15 a.m.

Investigation by the Muscatine Police Department had shown that REIMERS, who was employed as a paraeducator by the Muscatine Community School District, had sexually abused and provided alcohol to a student.  REIMERS had been employed at Muscatine High School.

"I am very pleased with this result," said Muscatine County Attorney Alan Ostergren.  "The defendant will be held accountable for his actions and the betrayal of trust which occurred.  Sexual offenses committed by persons in a position of trust is something I take very seriously," he continued.

As a specific condition of REIMERS' guilty plea he will be required to surrender his Iowa paraeducator certificate before sentencing.

Muscatine man pleads guilty to sexual offenses against child

Today in Muscatine County District Court KENNETH FREI (DOB 9/9/1966) of 502 E. Seventh Street, Apt. 2, Muscatine, pleaded guilty to five counts of Lascivious Acts with a Child, each a class "C" felony.  FREI was arrested following an investigation by the Muscatine Police Department.

FREI's plea agreement calls for him to receive consecutive terms of incarceration for a total prison term of not to exceed 50 years.  Following release from prison FREI will be under parole supervision for the remainder of his life and will be required to register as a sex offender.

Four sentenced for drug offenses

The following sentencings occurred today in Muscatine County District Court, the Hon. John Telleen presiding:

JENNIFER ARP (DOB: 9/20/1967) of 1398 Ripley Court, Muscatine, was sentenced after pleading guilty to Unlawful Procurement of a Prescription Drug, a class "C" felony.  ARP received a deferred judgment and was placed on supervised probation.  A civil penalty of $1,000 was imposed.  As a condition of her plea agreement she agreed to not seek to reinstate her nursing license while on probation.  The prosecution of ARP was the result of an investigation by the Iowa Division of Inspections and Appeals.

MICHAEL COULTER (DOB: 2/8/1973) of 1411 New Hampshire Street, Muscatine, was sentenced after pleading guilty to Delivery of a Controlled Substance, a class "D" felony.  COULTER received a suspended five year prison sentence and placed on supervised probation.  COULTER was arrested following an investigation by the Muscatine County Drug Task Force in which he sold approximately four ounces marijuana.

LAVELLE MARVELL-MORROW (DOB 8/7/1992) of Davenport, Iowa was sentenced after pleading guilty to Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver.  MARVELL-MORROW received a deferred judgment and was placed on supervised probation.  He was ordered to pay a $750 civil penalty.  He was arrested by a Muscatine County Sheriff's Deputy after a traffic stop revealed that he was in possession of approximately 36 grams of marijuana.

ANDREW TESHAK (DOB 12/29/1990) of Davenport, Iowa was sentenced after pleading guilty to Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver.  TESHAK received a deferred judgment and was placed on supervised probation.  He was ordered to pay a $750 civil penalty.  He was arrested by a Muscatine County Sheriff's Deputy after a traffic stop revealed that he was in possession of approximately 25grams of marijuana.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.  Our office is supporting the effort to increase awareness of this important issue.  Unfortunately domestic abuse is a significant portion of our criminal docket.  The cases are difficult to prosecute because of the intense interpersonal relationship between offender and victim.  Raising awareness and support in the community is a key part of our success in using the criminal justice system to help victims be safe.

If you'd like more information on Domestic Violence Awareness Month you can click here.  Local resources exist for domestic abuse victims.  Learn more about them by clicking here.

Man sentenced for forgery

Richard WILLIAMS, (DOB: 1/22/1983, of 1112 East 2nd Street, Muscatine) was sentenced today after pleading guilty to forgery, a class "D" felony.  The Court suspended a prison sentence of a term not to exceed five years and ordered the defendant placed at a residential correctional facility.  The Court also ordered the defendant to pay victim restitution.

The arrest and prosecution of WILLIAMS was the result of an investigation by the Muscatine Police Department.

Domestic abuser sentenced to prison

Today, October 7, 2011, in Muscatine County District Court the Hon. Paul Macek sentenced Agustin TORRES (DOB: 8/31/1975, of 603 E. 9th Street, Muscatine) following his guilty plea to Domestic Abuse Assault (Third Offense).  The Court ordered TORRES to serve an indeterminate term of incarceration of not to exceed five years.  The defendant will be required to serve a one year mandatory minimum term of incarceration before being eligible for parole.

TORRES was arrested March 12, 2011, following an investigation by the Muscatine Police Department.

The Court also revoked TORRES' probation for the felony offense of forgery and imposed a previously suspended five year prison sentence.

Man sentenced for drug trafficking

Joshua PLETT, DOB: 1/1/1981, of 1103 Iowa Avenue, Muscatine, was sentenced after pleading guilty to two counts of delivery of a controlled substance, each a class "D" felony.  The Court granted the defendant's request for a deferred judgment and placed the defendant on probation.  The arrest and prosecution of PLETT was the result of an investigation by the Muscatine County Drug Task Force where he sold an ounce of marijuana on two separate occasions in April, 2011.

The sentencing occurred October 7, 2011, before Muscatine County District Judge Paul Macek.