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.