Charges filed in murder-for-hire scheme against jail inmate previously charged in murder-for-hire scheme.

Muscatine County Attorney Alan R. Ostergren announced today, December 29, 2016, that charges have been filed against JUSTIN DEWITT, 36, of North Liberty, Iowa for three counts of attempt to commit murder. Each charge is a class "B" felony punishable by imprisonment for a term not to exceed 25 years.

The criminal complaints allege that DEWITT sought the murder of three individuals: an Iowa Department of Public Safety special agent, an adult male, and an adult female. The conduct occurred while DEWITT was an inmate in the Muscatine County Jail where he is being held on behalf of the Johnson County Sheriff. DEWITT is being held on four counts of attempt to commit murder and four counts of solicitation to commit murder. His Johnson County charges were filed June 27, 2016. The criminal complaints in that case allege that DEWITT sought the murder of two adults and two children.

DEWITT was seen by a judge for an initial appearance this morning. Bond was set at $750,000. The court scheduled a preliminary hearing for January 9, 2017, at 9:00 a.m. He remains in the Muscatine County Jail where he has been placed in administrative segregation.

The charges against DEWITT are merely accusations. He is presumed to be innocent.

The most recent charges against DEWITT were the result of an investigation by the Iowa Department of Public Safety, Division of Criminal Investigation and Division of Narcotics Enforcement.

DEWITT's mugshot:

Muscatine man found guilty after jury trial

Jose Manuel Martinez, 37, of Muscatine, Iowa was found guilty today by a Muscatine County jury of three counts of Delivery of a Controlled Substance, cocaine, and three counts of violation of the Iowa Drug Tax Stamp Act. Evidence at trial showed that on three occasions in 2014 Martinez sold more than seven grams cocaine to an informant and on each of those occasions there was not a drug tax stamp affixed to the cocaine.

Martinez faces a prison term of not to exceed 45 years. He will be sentenced November 18, 2016 at 9:30 a.m. Martinez was taken into custody pending sentencing.

The case was tried by First Assistant Muscatine County Attorney Korie L. Shippee.

Muscatine man sent to prison for firearms offenses

August 31, 2016

MARCUS FRY, age 28, of Muscatine, was sentenced for the offense of being a felon in possession of a firearm, trafficking in stolen weapons (second offense) and possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine (second offense). The Court imposed a total sentence of not to exceed 17 years. The court also revoked probation sentences in other cases which had previously been imposed. FRY was transported to the Iowa Medical and Classification Center to begin his sentence. The prosecution of FRY was the result of an investigation by the Muscatine County Sheriff's Office, Muscatine Police Department, and Muscatine County Drug Task Force in which FRY was found to be in possession of a stolen handgun and methamphetamine.

FRY's mugshot:

Guilty plea to burglary and felon in possession of firearm

Today, August 25, 2016, in Muscatine County District Court DILLAN SCOTT FROEHLICH, age 23, of Marion, Iowa, pleaded guilty to burglary in the third degree and felon in possession of a firearm, each a class "D" felony. Investigation by the Muscatine Police Department showed that FROEHLICH broke into an apartment and took property. The stolen property included a pistol. FROEHLICH had been convicted in 2013 of the felony offense of extortion. FROEHLICH will be sentenced November 4, 2016, at 9:00 a.m.

FROEHLICH's mugshot:

Guilty pleas in home invasion

Today, August 24, 2016, in Muscatine County District Court the following individuals pleaded guilty in connection with a home invasion on July 5, 2016, in Fruitland:

DEVIN GANZER, age 21, of Walcott, pleaded guilty to robbery in the second degree and burglary in the first degree. His plea agreement calls for a total term of incarceration for a term not to exceed 35 years. He will be required to serve seven years before being eligible for parole. He will be sentenced October 12, 2016, at 9:00 a.m.

GANZER's mugshot:




LANCE KRYSTOFER MOELLER, age 25, of Wilton, pleaded guilty to the same offenses as GANZER as well as a new charge of tampering with a witness. The tampering with a witness charge related to MOELLER contacting a prosecution witness and using harassment in an attempt to encourage that witness to not cooperate with the case against MOELLER. MOELLER waived his right to a delay and proceeded to immediate sentencing. He was sentenced to a total term of incarceration for a term not to exceed 37 years. He will be required to serve seven years before being eligible for parole.

MOELLER's mugshot:




"I am very pleased with this outcome," said Muscatine County Attorney Alan R. Ostergren. "This was a serious crime which had a high risk of physical harm to the victim. To invade a person's home and steal by force is a terrifying and brutal crime. The Muscatine Police Department did an outstanding job investigating this case. Their great work is why we were able to get such a great result in court," Ostergren continued. Ostergren added, "I would particularly like to compliment the work of the lead investigator on this case, Det. Joe Roseman."

The charge against the third charged individual, PAIGE MARIE FRANTZ, remains pending.

Updated 8/25/2016 with cities of residence for Ganzer and Moeller and to correct a spelling error.

Other criminal dispositions today were the following:

Muscatine Police arrest subject in possession of three stolen firearms

July 8, 2016, Muscatine County Attorney Alan R. Ostergren announced today that the Muscatine Police Department arrested EMMANUEL BIOH WYLIE, age 20, of Muscatine and charged him with theft in the second degree, three counts of trafficking in stolen weapons, and possession of a controlled substance, to wit: marijuana.

Criminal complaints allege that Muscatine police found WYLIE in possession of a rifle and two handguns which had been reported stolen. The firearms had partially-obliterated serial numbers. The criminal complaints further allege that he was in possession of a personal-use quantity of marijuana.

WYLIE posted bond after arrest. His next court date is July 11, 2016, at 8:15 a.m. The charges are merely accusations and he is presumed innocent.

WYLIE's mugshot:

Muscatine Police make arrests in robbery and burglary investigation

July 8, 2016. Muscatine County Attorney Alan R. Ostergren announced today that three subjects have been arrested after an investigation into a burglary and robbery committed in the 100 block of Center Street, Fruitland, Iowa on July 5, 2016. The individuals charged are:

PAIGE MARIE FRANTZ, age 26:

LANCE KRYSTOFER MOELLER, age 25:

DEVIN GANZER, age 21:

Each defendant is charged with robbery in the first degree and burglary in the first degree. Each charge is a forcible felony punishable by imprisonment for a term not to exceed 25 years on each count. The criminal complaints allege that the defendants forced entry into a residence and brandished a firearm at the resident. The complaints further allege that the defendants took approximately $1,000 in U.S. Currency. 

Each defendant was seen in court for initial appearance this morning. The court set bond on Frantz and Ganzer at $200,000 cash or surety. Moeller’s bond is $250,000 cash or surety. Each defendant’s next court date is a preliminary hearing on July 18, 2016, at 9:00 a.m.

The charges are merely accusations and each defendant is presumed innocent.

Guilty plea to lascivious acts with a child

Today, June 24, 2016, in Muscatine County District Court:

QUINN THOMAS MAHR, 24, of Muscatine, pleaded guilty to lascivious acts with a child and indecent contact with a child. The arrest of MAHR was the result of an investigation by the Muscatine Police Department. He will be sentenced August 5, 2016, at 9:15 a.m.

MAHR's mugshot:

In other cases:

STEVEN GRANT BATTEAU, 49, of Muscatine, was sentenced after pleading guilty to theft in the second degree. He received a sentence of imprisonment for a term not to exceed five years. Investigation by the Muscatine Police Department showed that he stole money from a Muscatine business by transacting a fraudulent check there.

BATTEAU's mugshot:

MARGARET HEATHER ACOSTA, 36, of Muscatine, was sentenced after pleading guilty to four counts of forgery and one count of theft in the third degree. She also admitted that she was a habitual offender due to her prior felony convictions. The Court imposed concurrent prison sentences for a total term of not to exceed 15 years. Her arrest was the result of an investigation by the Muscatine Police Department which revealed that she had forged checks which had been stolen from another individual. ACOSTA transacted the checks at a Muscatine business.

ACOSTA's mugshot:

ANGELA MARIE MATHIS, 37, of Muscatine, received a deferred judgment after pleading guilty to obtaining a prescription drug by fraud and tampering with records. An investigation by the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals and the Muscatine County Sheriff's Office showed that MATHIS, a nurse at a Muscatine nursing facility falsified records to obtain prescription medication for her own use. The Court placed her on supervised probation.

MATHIS's mugshot:

Muscatine County District Court June 3, 2016

Today, June 3, 2016, in Muscatine County District Court:

Matthew NORWOOD, 26, of Muscatine, was sentenced for delivery of a controlled substance, to wit: simulated methamphetamine. The Court imposed a prison sentence for a term not to exceed ten years and a fine of $1,000. NORWOOD had an extensive criminal history in the State of Indiana. The arrest and prosecution of NORWOOD was the result of an investigation by the Muscatine County Drug Task Force.

NORWOOD's mugshot:

Tiffany Michelle WILLIAMS, 39, of Muscatine, was sentenced for conspiracy to commit a forcible felony. The Court imposed a suspended prison sentence for a term not to exceed ten years and placed her on supervised probation. WILLIAMS was arrested following an investigation by the Muscatine Police Department into the robbery of the clerk at the Hotel Muscatine on November 22, 2015. As part of the investigation she agreed to testify against her codefendant in the case.

WILLIAMS's mugshot:

20-year prison sentence in death of Muscatine woman

Today, April 21, 2016, Muscatine County District Judge Nancy Tabor imposed a prison sentence of not to exceed 20 years against HIRAM SERRANO, SR. for the offenses of voluntary manslaughter and burglary in the second degree. He will be transported to the Iowa Medical and Classification Center at Oakdale, Iowa to begin serving his prison sentence.

Additional details about the case may be found here.

SERRANO's mugshot:

Muscatine man found guilty after jury trial

Roberto Murillo, Jr., 25, of Muscatine, Iowa was found guilty yesterday by a Muscatine County jury of the offense of failure to appear. Murillow had been released on bond in a felony drug case. Evidence at trial showed that he failed to appear in court for a pretrial conference on March 20, 2015.

The court later determined that Murillo is a habitual offender under Iowa law. He has prior felony convictions for willful injury, criminal gang participation, and drug trafficking. As a habitual offender he faces a prison sentence of not to exceed 15 years. He will be sentenced June 10, 2016, at 9:45 a.m. He remains in the Muscatine County Jail pending sentencing.

Murillo's mugshot:

Guilty plea in death of Muscatine woman

Today, March 1, 2016, in Muscatine County District Court:

HIRAM ANTONIO SERRANO, SR., 51, pleaded guilty today to voluntary manslaughter and burglary in the second degree. The plea agreement calls for him to serve a 20-year prison sentence.

Serrano had been charged with murder in the first degree in connection with the death of Theresa Jackson. Serrano attacked Jackson on November 14, 1990, causing serious injuries including paralysis. Serrano was arrested and charged with attempt to commit murder and willful injury. He was convicted following a jury trial and sentenced to serve an indeterminate term of not to exceed 35 years.

Jackson lived as a quadriplegic after the attack. She had a variety of medical complications due to her condition. She died October 5, 2012, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. The medical examiner later determined that because she died of complications of her original injuries that her death was a homicide.

Serrano was charged with Jackson's murder in February, 2013.

Muscatine County Attorney Alan R. Ostergren had the following statement:

"This was a very unusual case from the very beginning. It is uncommon for the victim of an assault to die from the injuries almost 22 years later. Evidence and court records had been lost and witness memories had faded. Thankfully the Iowa Attorney General's office was able to locate their copy of the original trial transcript. This allowed us to start the process to build the case to charge Mr. Serrano again.

"It was important to me to achieve a result which held him accountable for Theresa's death but also took into account that Mr. Serrano has lived a crime-free life since his release from prison. This case presents in a very unusual way the conflict between punishment and rehabilitation. It is my hope that this outcome achieves what we always want: justice for all concerned.

"I would like to thank the Muscatine Police Department and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation for their work on this case."

Serrano will be sentenced April 21, 2016, at 1:30 p.m. In accordance with Iowa law the Court revoked his bond after the guilty plea. He will remain in custody until sentencing.

Serrano's mugshot:

Guilty plea in Muscatine bank robbery case

Today, February 19, 2016, in Muscatine County District Court:

STACY FINCHER, 35, of Westfield, Indiana, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit a forcible felony, a class "C" felony. FINCHER admitted to conspiring with Thomas Alexander Davis to assist him in robbing the U.S. Bank in Muscatine, Iowa on November 28, 2012.

The arrest and prosecution of FINCHER was the result of an investigation by the Muscatine Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Davis was found guilty on February 11, 2016, after a jury trial in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa. FINCHER provided testimony at Davis's trial.

"This case is an excellent example of cooperation between local and federal law enforcement authorities," said Muscatine County Attorney Alan R. Ostergren. "The FBI identified Davis and Fincher as suspects in our bank robbery. This development, combined with the excellent investigative work the Muscatine Police Department did, allowed for criminal charges to be filed," Ostergren continued. "I am very pleased that these individuals have been brought to justice," he added.

FINCHER will be sentenced April 8, 2016, at 9:00 a.m.

FINCHER'S mugshot:




Davis's mugshot:




In other matters:

STEVE POGGEMILLER, 57, of Sperry, Iowa, pleaded guilty to theft in the first degree. Investigation by the Muscatine Police Department showed that he took a motor vehicle from an individual in the vicinity of the 3500 block of Mulberry. POGGEMILLER was later arrested in Benton County, Iowa and faces criminal charges in that county as well.

POGGEMILLER will be sentenced April 15, 2015, at 9:00 a.m.

POGGEMILLER's mugshot:

Guilty plea in hotel robbery

Today, February 8, 2016, in Muscatine County District Court TIMOTHY LEE WADDEN, 36, of Muscatine, pleaded guilty to the following offenses:

• Robbery in the second degree, a class "C" felony;
• Felon in possession of a firearm, a class "D" felony; and
• Theft in the third degree, an aggravated misdemeanor.

These offenses were related to a robbery on November 22, 2015, at Hotel Muscatine on Highway 61 in Muscatine. In addition, WADDEN pleaded guilty to the following other offenses:

Harassment in the first degree, an aggravated misdemeanor;
Interference with official acts, a simple misdemeanor;
Possession of a controlled substance (third offense), a class "D" felony; and
Theft in the third degree.

The plea agreement calls for sentences on all counts to be run consecutively for a total term of incarceration of not to exceed 26 years and one month. WADDEN will not be eligible for parole until he has served a mandatory minimum term of seven years.

The arrest of WADDEN was the result of investigations by the Muscatine Police Department.

WADDEN will be sentenced March 25, 2016, at 9:45 a.m. He will be held in custody without bond pending sentencing.

Statement regarding officer-involved shooting in Muscatine

STATEMENT OF MUSCATINE COUNTY ATTORNEY ALAN R. OSTERGREN AND MUSCATINE COUNTY SHERIFF C.J. RYAN INTO

INCIDENT ON JANUARY 15, 2016

On January 15, 2016, there was an officer-involved shooting in Muscatine, Iowa involving a Muscatine County Sheriff’s Deputy and a Muscatine Police Department officer. The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation has led an investigation into the incident.

The DCI investigation shows that Timothy Seefeldt was the operator of a 2008 Hummer H3 which had been stolen earlier that evening in Muscatine. Dep. Eddie Cardenas located the H3 and attempted to effect a traffic stop. He was assisted by Muscatine Police Department Off. Anthony Arnaman. Seefeldt attempted to elude the law enforcement vehicles but the pursuit ended quickly when Seefeldt drove into the parking lot of a motel which was a dead end.

Despite being stopped, Seefeldt refused to obey Dep. Cardenas’s commands. He abruptly placed the H3 in reverse and backed up. He struck Dep. Cardenas’s squad car with the front door of the H3. Dep. Cardenas perceived this action as threatening – both to himself and to Off. Arnaman. Dep. Cardenas fired his duty weapon in response to the threat. Seefeldt then struck four parked cars in the motel parking lot before stopping again. Dep. Cardenas fired his duty weapon again when he believed that Seefeldt was placing the vehicle in drive in order to move forward at him.

Seefeldt sustained a non-life threatening gunshot wound to the upper torso as a result of Dep. Cardenas’s actions. He surrendered to Dep. Cardenas and Off. Arnaman. He was later transported to Trinity Hospital-Muscatine and then to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. He left the UIHC against medical advice.

County Attorney Ostergren stated “I have considered the application of Iowa law to the actions of Dep. Cardenas. A person is permitted to use force, including deadly force, to prevent or resist an imminent threat of death or injury to himself or to another. Dep. Cardenas’s actions were reasonable based upon the threat presented by Seefeldt’s actions. I therefore find that the shooting of Seefeldt by Dep. Cardenas was lawful.

“I would like to emphasize that I do not merely find Dep. Cardenas’s actions to meet the minimum standards imposed by the law. In my view he acted bravely during this incident. He was motivated primarily by a desire to protect a fellow officer and the public in general. His actions and demeanor during this incident were in the finest traditions of Iowa law enforcement.”

Sheriff C.J. Ryan stated “I have reviewed Dep. Cardenas’s actions in regard to departmental policy on the use of force. I find that Dep. Cardenas’s actions were in compliance with all applicable policies. I share the view that Dep. Cardenas acted bravely during this incident. A motor vehicle can be just as dangerous as a gun or knife. Dep. Cardenas acted decisively to end the threat. I am proud of him.”

Criminal charges against Seefeldt are pending.