Muscatine man found guilty of sexual abuse of child

Today, April 25, 2017, Muscatine County District Court Judge Mary Howes found MARTIN GUERRERO guilty of sexual abuse in the third degree after a bench trial.

The evidence established that GUERRERO, 43, of Muscatine, touched the genitals of a 12-year-old child. The case was investigated by the Muscatine Police Department. The case was prosecuted by County Attorney Alan R. Ostergren.

GUERRERO was taken into custody after the verdict. He is being held in the Muscatine County Jail without bond until his sentencing date of June 9, 2017, at 9:30 a.m.

GUERRERO's mugshot:

In other matters:

GARY WAYNE RANKIN, 65, of Davenport, Iowa pleaded guilty to three counts of felon in possession of a firearm. Investigation by the Muscatine County Sheriff's Office determined that RANKIN had two shotguns and a rifle at his former residence in Atalissa. RANKIN's criminal history includes felony convictions for operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, third offense and burglary. RANKIN will be sentenced June 9, 2017, at 10:15 a.m.

RANKIN's mugshot:

Prison sentence for drug trafficking

Today, April 7, 2017, in Muscatine County District Court:

PATRICK WILLIAM BURNS, 42, of Grandview, was sentenced for the offense of delivery of a controlled substance as a habitual offender. Investigation by the Muscatine County Sheriff's Office showed that BURNS had delivered approximately three grams of methamphetamine to another individual. The Court imposed a prison sentence for a term not to exceed 15 years with a three-year mandatory minimum sentence.

BURNS's mugshot:

In other cases:

ROBERT LOUIS WOLFE, 34, of Muscatine, was sentenced for two counts of burglary in the third degree. Investigation by the Muscatine Police Department showed that he had broken into two separate storage sheds with the intent to commit a theft. The Court imposed consecutive prison sentences for a total term of not to exceed 10 years.

WOLFE's mugshot:

BRYCE FRANCIS, 19, of Muscatine, was found to have violated the terms of his probation for the offenses of possession of a firearm as a person adjudicated delinquent for a felony and possession of a controlled substance with the intent to deliver. FRANCIS had absconded from probation supervision for approximately five months. The Court imposed the previously suspended sentence of imprisonment for a term not to exceed 10 years.

FRANCIS's mugshot:

Guilty plea in drive-by shooting; update on other cases

Today, April 4, 2017, in Muscatine County District Court, BENITO MARTINEZ, 21, of Milwaukee, WI, pleaded guilty to intimidation with a dangerous weapon, going armed with intent, and criminal mischief in the third degree in connection with a shooting on October 30, 2016. Investigation by the Muscatine Police Department showed that MARTINEZ fired a pistol at an occupied residence on King Avenue. MARTINEZ's gunfire also struck a second house nearby.

The first two offenses are class "D" felonies punishable by imprisonment for a term not to exceed five years. Criminal mischief is an aggravated misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for a term not to exceed two years.

MARTINEZ will be sentenced May 19, 2017, at 9:00 a.m.

MARTINEZ's mugshot:

In addition, Muscatine County Attorney provided the following update on several pending cases involving serious crimes of violence:

PATRICK ROBERT JOHNSON, 41, of Muscatine charged with attempt to commit murder and willful injury, both as a habitual offender. JOHNSON remains held in the Muscatine County Jail on $500,000 bond. Next court date is a pretrial conference set for April 21, 2017.

NOAH WYATT HASS, 16, of Fairfield, IA charged with attempt to commit murder, robbery in the first degree, felon in possession of a firearm, and assault while participating in a felony. HASS remains held in the Muscatine County Jail on a $500,000  bond. Next court date is a pretrial conference set for April 21, 2017.

SONNY BOYCE, 22, of Carrollton, GA charged with robbery in the first degree and theft in the fourth degree. BOYCE remains held in the Muscatine County Jail on a $300,000 bond. Next court date is a pretrial conference set for April 14, 2017.

JUSTIN LEE DEWITT, 37, of North Liberty, IA charged with three counts of attempt to commit murder. DEWITT remains in the Muscatine County Jail on a $750,000 bond. Next court date is a status conference set for April 14, 2017.

JUAN GOMEZ, JR., 39, of Muscatine, charged with attempt to commit murder, going armed with intent, felon in possession of a firearm, assault while participating in a felony, and assault with a dangerous weapon; all as a habitual offender. GOMEZ remains in the Muscatine County Jail on a $250,000 bond. Next court date is a final pretrial conference set for May 19, 2017.

This post was updated 4/5/2017 to correct King Street to King Avenue as well as to add the information about the Gomez case.