Prison sentence for theft of motor vehicle

Today, October 24, 2014, in Muscatine County District Court:

JEFFREY ALAN WURR, DOB: 2/1/1981, of Atalissa, was sentenced following his guilty plea to Theft in the First Degree. The Court imposed a prison sentence of not to exceed ten years and ordered the sentence to be served consecutively to a prison sentence in Cedar County of not to exceed seven years.

The prosecution of WURR was the result of an investigation by the Muscatine County Sheriff's Office into the theft of a motor vehicle from near West Liberty, Iowa. Deputies learned that the truck had been used to travel to a truck stop off of interstate 80 near Atalissa where WURR and another subject attempted to commit a robbery.

WURR's mugshot:

Guilty plea in felony domestic abuse case

Today, October 17, 2014, in Muscatine County District Court:

DAVID RADA HUERTA, DOB: 12/26/1977, of Muscatine, pleaded guilty to Domestic Abuse Assault, a class "D" felony. Investigation by the Muscatine Police Department showed that the defendant struck a female member of his household. Court records show that HUERTA had twice previously been convicted of domestic abuse. He faces a mandatory prison sentence of a maximum term of not to exceed five years with a one year mandatory minimum term when he is sentenced on November 26, 2014, at 9:30 a.m.

Muscatine County District Court 10/10/2014

Today in Muscatine County District Court:

GARY MONTRAIL GRIFFIN, DOB: 10/27/1988, of Davenport, pleaded guilty and was sentenced for the offense of Willful Injury Causing Serious Injury. Investigation by the Muscatine Police Department showed that GRIFFIN struck another male subject and caused a broken jaw. GRIFFIN waived time to delay sentencing and was sentenced by the Court to an indeterminate term of not to exceed ten years.

GRIFFIN's mugshot:

MATTHEW PAINTER, DOB: 5/6/1992, of Muscatine, pleaded guilty to Burglary in the Third Degree and Theft in the Second Degree. Investigation by the Muscatine County Sheriff's Office showed that PAINTER had participated in the burglary of a residence near Moscow, Iowa and took various tools and other property. PAINTER will be sentenced November 21, 2014, at 9:15 a.m.

PAINTER's mugshot:

Muscatine County District Court 10/3/2014

Today in Muscatine County District Court:


THOMAS HUNTER, III, DOB: 9/27/1975, of Muscatine, was sentenced after pleading guilty to Domestic Abuse Assault. Investigation by the Muscatine Police Department showed that HUNTER had manually strangled his live-in girlfriend and caused a bodily injury. The Court imposed a prison sentence of not to exceed five years.

HUNTER's mugshot:

Update on 10/3/2014 at 2:58 p.m. to correct DOB to 9/27/1975.

Life sentence for sexual abuse

Today, October , 2014, Muscatine County District Court Judge Mary Howes sentenced JOSHUA CORWIN, DOB: 4/26/1982, of Davenport, to a sentence of life without the possibility of parole for the offense of Sexual Abuse in the First Degree. The court also imposed sentences of imprisonment for Willful Injury and Theft in the Second Degree. 

CORWIN had been found guilty at a jury trial which ended July 1, 2014. Evidence at trial showed that on May 15, 2013, CORWIN burst into the home of an ex-girlfriend and assaulted her. The victim suffered five facial fractures. CORWIN then forced the victim to engage in sexual intercourse. CORWIN arrived at the residence, located in rural Muscatine County, in a vehicle which he had stolen in Davenport.

The case was investigated by the Muscatine County Sheriff's Office. Also involved in the investigation were the Davenport Police Department and the East Moline (Illinois) Police Department. 

"I am very pleased with this result," said Muscatine County Attorney Alan R. Ostergren. "The defendant has a lengthy history of violence. It is for the community's benefit that he cannot hurt anyone else in society again," Ostergren added.

CORWIN's mugshot: