Muscatine teenager charged with attempt to commit murder

February 27, 2020 - Muscatine County Attorney Alan R. Ostergren announced today that JATTATHIAS JALEE HODGES, 16, of Muscatine was arrested yesterday by the Muscatine Police Department for the offense of attempt to commit murder. The charge is a class "B" forcible felony punishable by imprisonment for a term not to exceed 25 years. Because the defendant is 16 and the offense is a forcible felony he is being charged as an adult.

The criminal complaint alleges that on February 21, 2020, at approximately 10:24 p.m. HODGES did fire several rounds from a firearm at a 16-year-old male subject while at a residence in the 600 block of East 6th Street in Muscatine. The victim was struck a single time in the shoulder. The victim's injuries required emergency medical treatment but are not life threatening.

HODGES had an initial appearance before a judge this morning. The court set bond at $300,000 cash-only. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 9, 2020 at 9:00 a.m.

The charge against HODGES is merely an accusation, he is presumed to be innocent.

His mugshot:

Muscatine Man Found Guilty of First Degree Murder

Today, January 17, 2020, a Muscatine County jury found DARIAN LENSGRAF, 18, of Muscatine, guilty of murder in the first degree for the December 12, 2018, killing of his grandmother Diana Lensgraf.

Evidence at trial showed that DARIAN LENSGRAF entered the home of the victim and stabbed her multiple times in the chest and throat. At trial he claimed that he was not guilty by reason of insanity. The jury's verdict rejected this claim.

The case was investigated by the Muscatine Police Department.

DARIAN LENSGRAF will be held in the Muscatine County Jail without bond pending his March 6, 2020, sentencing hearing at 9:00 a.m. He faces a mandatory sentence of life without the possibility of parole.

His mugshot:

Tipton Woman Receives 50-year Prison Sentence for 1992 Murder

Today, November 22, 2019, in Muscatine County District Court ANNETTE CAHILL, 56, of Tipton, was sentenced after being found guilty of murder in the second degree.

CAHILL was convicted in the 1992 beating death of Corey Wieneke of rural West Liberty. The case remained unsolved until CAHILL was arrested May 31, 2018. The arrest of CAHILL was the result of an investigation by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation and the Muscatine County Sheriff's Office.

CAHILL was found guilty after a 10-day jury trial in September, 2019. The case had originally proceeded to a jury trial in March, 2019. This resulted in a mistrial after the jury was unable to reach a verdict.

"I am grateful to the investigators for their outstanding work on this case," said Muscatine County Attorney Alan R. Ostergren. "Since 1992 countless hours have been invested in bringing justice to Corey Wieneke's family. Although this took longer than anyone wanted, I am so happy that his family received justice today," he continued.

The Court imposed a prison sentence of a term not to exceed 50 years. It will be up to the Iowa Board of Parole how long CAHILL serves in prison. "I will recommend to the Board of Parole that they keep the defendant in prison for as long as is legally permitted," said Ostergren.

CAHILL will be held in custody until she is transported to the Iowa Correctional Institution for Women at Mitchellville. She is not entitled to an appeal bond.

An updated mugshot of CAHILL:

Murder charge filed in death of Muscatine woman

Today, October 18, 2019, Muscatine County Attorney Alan R. Ostergren announced that a charge of murder in the first degree was filed today against DAVID J.S. HATFIELD, 23, of Muscatine.

On October 16, 2019, the Muscatine County Joint Communications Center received a 911 call from HATFIELD stating that his girlfriend had shot herself at the Saulbury Recreation Area in rural Muscatine County. The criminal complaint alleges that in a subsequent interview HATFIELD admitted to having shot the victim and that he further admitted having fired a practice shot before doing so.

The victim of this incident is Kaitlyn Palmer, 18, of Muscatine. Palmer died at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics on October 17, 2019. The cause of death was a single gunshot wound to the head.

HATFIELD was previously charged with attempt to commit murder in connection with this incident. His bond is currently set at $1,000,000 cash only. He remains in custody in the Muscatine County Jail. His next court appearance will be a preliminary hearing on October 28, 2019, at 9:00 a.m.

Murder in the first degree is a class "A" felony punishable by life imprisonment.

This incident was investigated by the Muscatine County Sheriff's Office, the Muscatine Police Department, and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.

A criminal charge is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent.

Arrest made in bicycle fatality

Muscatine County Attorney Alan R. Ostergren announced that an arrest has been made in the August 12, 2019, death of a bicyclist.

On August 12, 2019, Muscatine Police Department and Iowa State Patrol responded to the area of 41st Street South and Grandview Avenue for a report of a bicyclist who had apparently been struck by a motor vehicle. The bicyclist, Devin Estabrook, later died from his injuries.

Charges have now been filed against TERRY GOUGH, 52, of Morning Sun, Iowa for the offense of leaving the scene of a fatality accident. The criminal complaint alleges that GOUGH was the operator of a commercial motor vehicle which struck Estabrook. The complaint further alleges that GOUGH did not stop and render aid as required by law. The complaint further alleges that GOUGH later drove past the scene again when emergency vehicles were present investigating the incident.

Leaving the scene of a fatality accident is a class "D" felony punishable by a prison term of not to exceed five years and a fine of between $750 and $7,500.

GOUGH was arrested without incident on this charge. His next court date is a preliminary hearing scheduled for October 25, 2019, at 9:00 a.m.

GOUGH's mugshot:

A criminal charge is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed to be innocent.

Life sentence for murder of Fairfield woman

Today, May 31, 2019, in Muscatine County District Court, DOUGLAS FOSTER, 36, of Marion, Iowa was sentenced for the murder of Lea Ponce of Fairfield, Iowa.

The Hon. Stuart Werling presided over the sentencing hearing. Calling the evidence produced at trial "overwhelming," he imposed sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.

"Justice was done today," said Muscatine County Attorney Alan R. Ostergren. "Judge Werling was correct when he said that this case was a tragic example of the scourge of narcotics trafficking and abuse in our state. This murder was motivated by the defendant's desire to get drugs. Because he wanted to get high a young woman tragically lost her life" Ostergren continued.

This case was investigated by the Muscatine County Sheriff's Office and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.

FOSTER's mugshot:

Marion, Iowa man found guilty of first degree murder

Muscatine County Attorney Alan R. Ostergren announced today, April 12, 2019, that DOUGLAS FOSTER, 36, of Marion, Iowa was found guilty after a five-day jury trial of the offense of murder in the first degree for the death of Lea Ponce on January 8, 2019. The jury deliberated approximately two hours before returning its verdict. The Hon. Stuart Werling presided over the trial.

FOSTER will be sentenced May 31, 2019, at 9:00 a.m. He is being held in the Muscatine County Jail without bond pending sentencing. He faces a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.

"I would like to thank the jury for their hard work on this case" said Ostergren. "This was a difficult case - they paid close attention to the complex facts in order to return their verdict. I would also like to thank the excellent investigative work done by the Muscatine County Sheriff's Office and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation" he added.

FOSTER's mugshot:

Fifty years in prison for attempted murder of three individuals

Today, January 18, 2019, in Muscatine County District Court JUSTIN LEE DEWITT, 38, formerly of North Liberty was sentenced after being found guilty of three counts of attempt to commit murder. The Court imposed a total prison sentence of not to exceed 50 years. The Court ordered the sentence to be served consecutively to a 35-year prison sentence he received in Johnson County. The defendant will be required to serve a total of 52.5 years in prison before being eligible for parole.

The arrest of DEWITT was the result of an investigation conducted by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation and the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement - both divisions of the Iowa Department of Public Safety. Evidence introduced at trial showed that DEWITT had been an inmate in the Muscatine County Jail after having been arrested in Johnson County, Iowa for seeking to arrange the murder of four individuals including two children. While an inmate DEWITT solicited another inmate to make arrangements to have three witnesses in his Johnson County case killed in order to prevent them from testifying. That other inmate reported the information to authorities who began an investigation.

During the investigation DEWITT spoke on two occasions with an individual whom he believed was an associate of a contract killer. The person was in fact an undercover Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement special agent. The conversations occurred over the Muscatine County Jail's video visitation system. During the recorded conversations DEWITT identified the three people he wanted to be killed, identified the residence of two of the individuals and the motor vehicle of the third, and discussed the financial arrangements for the killings. DEWITT later made a phone call to an unwitting party seeking to have a down payment made for the killings. There was no evidence that the person DEWITT contacted was aware of the actual purpose for the payment of money which DEWITT sought. DEWITT also mailed the undercover agent a diagram of the residence of two of the individual he sought to have killed.

"The sentence imposed by the Court today truly was justice," said Muscatine County Attorney Alan R. Ostergren. "Not only did the defendant want to kill three individuals he did so to interfere with the functioning of the criminal justice system. We go to court to settle our disputes peacefully - the fact that the offender sought to kill witnesses against him made this case particularly serious," Ostergren added. 

DEWITT's mugshot:

Murder charge filed in death of Fairfield woman

Muscatine County Attorney Alan R. Ostergren announced today (January 15, 2019) that a murder charge has been filed against DOUGLAS JOSEPH FOSTER, 35, of Marion, Iowa for the death of Lea Ponce of Fairfield, Iowa.

A copy of the criminal complaint may be found here.

FOSTER will make an initial appearance before a judge tomorrow (January 16, 2019) at 9:00 a.m. the Muscatine County Courthouse.

FOSTER’s mugshot:

The charge is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed to be innocent.

Material witness arrested in death investigation

Today, January 11, 2019, Muscatine County Attorney Alan R. Ostergren announced that a material witness had been arrested in the investigation of the death of Lea Ponce. Ponce was found deceased on the shoulder of Highway 38 between Muscatine and Wilton in the early morning hours of January 8, 2019.

Upon the discovery of Ponce's remains the Muscatine County Sheriff's Office immediately commenced an investigation. They have been aided in the investigation by the Iowa State Patrol, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, the Muscatine Police Department, the Muscatine County Drug Task Force, the Coralville Police Department, the Iowa City Police Department, the Cedar Rapids Police Department, the Marion Police Department, and the Muscatine County Attorney's Office.

During the evening hours of January 10, 2019, investigators arrested DOUGLAS JOSEPH FOSTER, 35, of Marion, Iowa as a material witness to the killing of Ponce.

Under Iowa law a peace officer may take a material witness to a crime into custody when there is probable cause to believe the witness would not be available for the service of a subpoena to appear at a subsequent hearing or trial.

A copy of the complaint charging FOSTER as a material witness is available here.

FOSTER is being held in the Muscatine County Jail on a $50,000 cash-only bond. His mugshot:

The allegation that an individual is a material witness is not an allegation that the individual has committed a crime. As with any allegation made by a law enforcement officer or prosecutor, a person alleged to be a material witness has the right to a determination of the allegation's merit in a court proceeding.

Davenport juvenile charged in kidnapping

Today, January 11, 2019, Muscatine County Attorney Alan R. Ostergren announced that criminal charges had been filed in connection with an incident from the early morning hours of January 9, 2019, in rural Muscatine County. The charges are the result of an investigation by the Muscatine County Sheriff's Office.

TARYN DEION MOORE, 17, of Davenport was arrested yesterday, January 10, 2019. He has been charged with kidnapping in the first degree and robbery in the first degree. The kidnapping charge is a class "A" felony punishable by life imprisonment. The robbery charge is a class "B" felony punishable by a prison term of not to exceed 25 years.

The criminal complaints are available here and here.

MOORE was seen by a judge this morning. He is being held in the Muscatine County Jail on a $750,000 cash-only bond.

The MCSO seeks to arrest two additional individuals in connection with this incident.

MOORE's mugshot:

A criminal charge is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed to be innocent.

Guilty plea in cemetery thefts

Today, December 12, 2018, in Muscatine County District Court THOMAS EDGAR THORNBURG, 44, of Muscatine, pleaded guilty to theft in the first degree, theft in the second degree, and theft in the fourth degree. Investigation by the Muscatine Police Department showed that THORNBURG stole brass memorial vases from numerous area cemeteries, passed checks on a closed account, and pawned stolen merchandise. He will be sentenced February 8, 2019, at 9:45 a.m.

THORNBURG's mugshot:

In another case, LUCAS LEE WETZEL, 23, of Muscatine, pleaded guilty to two counts of delivery of methamphetamine. During an investigation by the Muscatine County Drug Task Force WETZEL made two deliveries of methamphetamine to a confidential source. WETZEL proceeded to immediate sentencing and received a total sentence of a term not to exceed 35 years.

WETZEL's mugshot:

Muscatine man arrested for first degree murder (Updated)

Muscatine County Attorney Alan R. Ostergren announced today (December 12, 2018) that DARIAN DREW LENSGRAF, 19, of Muscatine was arrested for the offense of murder in the first degree from an incident in the early morning hours of December 12 in the City of Muscatine.

The Muscatine County Joint Communications Center (MUSCOM) received a 911 call at 3:33 a.m. reporting that a woman had been found stabbed to death at 2109 Breese Avenue in Muscatine. Officers and Muscatine Fire Department personnel immediately responded to the scene.

At 3:49 a.m. MUSCOM received a second 911 call from a clerk at a convenience store located at 709 Grandview Avenue in Muscatine. The caller reported that there was a male subject at the store holding a bloody knife. Officers immediately responded to that scene and made contact with DARIAN LENSGRAF. According to the criminal complaint DARIAN LENSGRAF made post-Miranda statements that he took the knife to the victim's house with the intent to kill the victim.

DARIAN LENSGRAF has been taken into custody. He will make an initial appearance at the Muscatine County Courthouse at 9:00 a.m. today.

UPDATE 10:43 a.m.:

DARIAN LENSGRAF made an initial appearance this morning before the Hon. Gary Strausser. The Court set bond at $5,000,000 cash-only. The Court scheduled a preliminary hearing for December 21, 2018, at 9:00 a.m. Under Iowa law the prosecution may file a trial information before the date set for preliminary hearing and if this is done there will be no preliminary hearing.

The victim of this incident has been identified by law enforcement as Diana Lensgraf (DOB: 12/12/1952). Diana Lensgraf was Darian's grandmother.

A mugshot of the defendant from today is not yet available. This is a mugshot from a prior occasion:

Today's mugshot:

North Liberty man convicted of three counts of attempt to commit murder

Today, December 11, 2018, in Muscatine County District Court a jury found JUSTIN LEE DEWITT, 38, formerly of North Liberty, guilty of three counts of attempt to commit murder. The trial began yesterday, December 10, 2018. The jury deliberated for approximately 12 minutes before returning a verdict of guilty on all charges.

The arrest of DEWITT was the result of an investigation conducted by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation and the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement - both divisions of the Iowa Department of Public Safety. Evidence introduced at trial showed that DEWITT had been an inmate in the Muscatine County Jail after having been arrested in Johnson County, Iowa for seeking to arrange the murder of four individuals including two children. While an inmate DEWITT solicited another inmate to make arrangements to have three witnesses in his Johnson County case killed in order to prevent them from testifying. That other inmate reported the information to authorities who began an investigation.

During the investigation DEWITT spoke on two occasions with an individual whom he believed was an associate of a contract killer. The person was in fact an undercover Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement special agent. The conversations occurred over the Muscatine County Jail's video visitation system. During the recorded conversations DEWITT identified the three people he wanted to be killed, identified the residence of two of the individuals and the motor vehicle of the third, and discussed the financial arrangements for the killings. DEWITT later made a phone call to an unwitting party seeking to have a down payment made for the killings. There was no evidence that the person DEWITT contacted was aware of the actual purpose for the payment of money which DEWITT sought. DEWITT also mailed the undercover agent a diagram of the residence of two of the individual he sought to have killed.

Attempt to commit murder is a class "B" felony punishable by imprisonment for a term not to exceed 25 years. There is a mandatory minimum term of 17.5 years before parole eligibility. It will be up to the sentencing judge to determine whether the counts will be served concurrently or consecutively with each other and with the sentence DEWITT has already received in Johnson County. DEWITT was previously sentenced to a total term of not to exceed 35 years with a 17.5 year mandatory minimum for his conduct in the original case.

"I would like to thank the jury for their efforts in this case" Muscatine County Attorney Alan Ostergren stated. "This verdict was justice served. I would also like to compliment the special agents who investigated the case. They gave me the evidence I needed to make a compelling presentation to the jury," Ostergren added.

DEWITT will be sentenced January 18, 2019, at 9:00 a.m. He will be held in the Muscatine County Jail without bond pending sentencing.

DEWITT's mugshot:

Guilty plea to firearm and drug charges

Today, October 12, 2018, in Muscatine County District Court ETHAN KIELY, 22, of Muscatine, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, trafficking a stolen firearm, and delivery of cocaine. The charges against KIELY were the result of an investigation by Street Crimes Unit detectives of the Muscatine Police Department which showed that he was in possession of a stolen handgun and cocaine. KIELY is a previously convicted felon. KIELY will be sentenced on November 30, 2018, at 9:00 a.m.

KIELY's mugshot:

In another case, JARIN DAVID GENUNG, 29, of Muscatine, pleaded guilty to possession of LSD with intent to deliver, possession of marijuana with intent to deliver, and child endangerment. The charges against GENUNG were the result of an investigation by the Muscatine County Drug Task Force where a search warrant was executed at GENUNG's residence. The search revealed distribution quantities of both LSD and marijuana. There were two minor children present in the residence where the drug trafficking activity was taking place. GENUNG will be sentenced December 7, 2018, at 9:45 a.m.

GENUNG's mugshot:

Wapello man pleads guilty to methamphetamine trafficking

Sept. 25, 2018 in Muscatine County District Court:

JEFFREY BRIAN CHAPMAN, 35, of Wapello pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver. One count was a class "B" felony punishable by imprisonment for a term not to exceed 25 years. The other count was a class "C" felony punishable by imprisonment for a term not to exceed 10 years. Investigation by the Muscatine County Sheriff's Office and the Muscatine County Drug Task Force revealed that CHAPMAN had been in possession of a distribution quantity of methamphetamine on two separate occasions.

CHAPMAN will be sentenced November 2, 2018, at 9:15 a.m.

CHAPMAN's mugshot:

Man sentenced to prison for repeated domestic abuse incidents

Today, September 14, 2018, in Muscatine County District Court, JEREMY RICHARD MUNSON, 41, of Muscatine, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to two counts of domestic abuse by strangulation causing injury and one count of assault causing injury. The charges related to separate incidents involving the same victim. Each investigation was conducted by the Muscatine Police Department.

The defendant was sentenced to consecutive sentences of imprisonment for a total term of not to exceed 11 years. He was also ordered to not have contact with the victim.

MUNSON's mugshot:

Prison sentence in stabbing incident

Today, August 22, 2018, in Muscatine County District Court RONALD VESTER JOHNSON, 40, of Muscatine was sentenced after pleading guilty to willful injury. An investigation by the Muscatine Police Department showed that JOHNSON had assisted his brother Patrick Johnson in the assault and stabbing of another individual. That individual suffered a deep stab wound to the chest. Patrick Johnson was previously sentenced to a prison term of not to exceed 15 years for his involvement in the attack.

RONALD JOHNSON was sentenced to an indeterminate term of not to exceed five years and ordered to pay a fine of $750. He was further ordered to have no contact with the victim. He will be transported back to the Illinois Department of Corrections to complete serving a sentence for methamphetamine manufacturing before he begins serving his Iowa sentence.

RONALD JOHNSON' mugshot:

Walcott woman pleads guilty to firearm and theft charges

Today, August 21, 2018, in Muscatine County District Court MELISSA ANN CASSIDY, 35, of Walcott, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm as a habitual offender and theft in the third degree. The investigation of CASSIDY was conducted by the Wilton Police Department, Walcott Police Department, and the Muscatine County Sheriff's Office. The investigation revealed that CASSIDY had stolen a firearm. CASSIDY had previously been convicted of several drug-related felony offenses. CASSIDY will be sentenced October 19, 2018, at 9:15 a.m.

CASSIDY's mugshot:

Additional arrests made in investigation of thefts of cemetery vases

Today, August 16, 2018, Muscatine County Attorney Alan R. Ostergren announced that two additional individuals have been arrested in connection with an investigation into the theft of brass vases from cemeteries in Muscatine and the surrounding area. Charges were filed against JUSTIN LYLE WINTER, 44, and LYLE EVERETT WINTER, 70. Both men are charged with theft in the first  degree and ongoing criminal conduct. The charges are a class “C” felony and class “B” felony respectively.

The criminal complaints allege that both men, acting as the operators of Muscatine Metals, knowingly accepted brass cemetery vases while knowing that they were stolen property. The criminal complaints further allege that the men engaged in 25 transactions where they purchased stolen property.

The arrests of both men were the result of an investigation by the Muscatine Police Department. One individual had already been charged as a result of the investigation. As with any criminal charge, the charges against these individuals are merely accusations. They are presumed innocent unless and until convicted in court.