Guilty Verdict in Jury Trial

Muscatine County Attorney Alan R. Ostergren announced today (January 29, 2014) that a Muscatine County Jury returned a guilty verdict against FRANCISCO BRIONES (DOB: 9/3/1978) of Muscatine, for the offense of Delivery of a Controlled Substance, Cocaine. The jury trial lasted three days with the jury deliberating for less than two hours before returning its verdict. The Hon. Thomas Reidel presided.

Investigation by the Muscatine County Drug Task Force showed that BRIONES delivered cocaine to a confidential informant on April 16, 2013, in Muscatine.

First Assistant Muscatine County Attorney Korie Shippee handled the prosecution.

BRIONES will be sentenced March 14, 2014.

Mugshot:

Guilty Plea in Credit Card Fraud case

Today, January 29, 2014, in Muscatine County District Court, PAUL ANTHONY BELL (DOB: 7/11/1968) of Davenport pled guilty to Credit Card Fraud. Investigation by the Muscatine County Sheriff's Office showed that BELL used another person's credit card without permission and stole more than $1,000. BELL will be sentenced March 14, 2014, at 9:00 a.m. BELL pled guilty as a habitual offender due to at least seven prior felony convictions. He faces a sentence of a term not to exceed fifteen years with a three year mandatory minimum.

The following is BELL's mugshot:

Muscatine County District Court - 1/17/2014

ZACHARY KENNETH MORSE (DOB: 6/12/1995) of Muscatine pled guilty to three counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, each a class "D" felony. Investigation by the Muscatine Police Department showed that the defendant had electronically disseminated photographs of a nude underage female. MORSE will be sentenced February 28, 2014, at 9:00 a.m.

TERRY DEAN THOMAS (DOB: 11/5/1993) of Muscatine was sentenced for one count of Indecent Exposure, a serious misdemeanor. Investigation by the Muscatine Police Department showed that THOMAS had exposed his genitals to another person. THOMAS was sentenced to 90 days jail, ten years of supervised release as if on parole, and will be required to register as a sex offender.

MOSES LEON BROWN (DOB: 10/27/1951) of Waterloo was sentenced for the offense of Operating a Motor Vehicle While Intoxicated, Third or Subsequent Offense. Investigation by the Muscatine County Sheriff's Office showed that BROWN was operating a motor vehicle while he was impaired by alcohol. This was BROWN's fourth conviction for OWI in his lifetime. The Court imposed an indeterminate five year prison sentence and a $3,125 fine.