Guilty Verdict in Jury Trial

Muscatine County Attorney Alan R. Ostergren announced today (January 29, 2014) that a Muscatine County Jury returned a guilty verdict against FRANCISCO BRIONES (DOB: 9/3/1978) of Muscatine, for the offense of Delivery of a Controlled Substance, Cocaine. The jury trial lasted three days with the jury deliberating for less than two hours before returning its verdict. The Hon. Thomas Reidel presided.

Investigation by the Muscatine County Drug Task Force showed that BRIONES delivered cocaine to a confidential informant on April 16, 2013, in Muscatine.

First Assistant Muscatine County Attorney Korie Shippee handled the prosecution.

BRIONES will be sentenced March 14, 2014.

Mugshot:

Guilty Plea in Credit Card Fraud case

Today, January 29, 2014, in Muscatine County District Court, PAUL ANTHONY BELL (DOB: 7/11/1968) of Davenport pled guilty to Credit Card Fraud. Investigation by the Muscatine County Sheriff's Office showed that BELL used another person's credit card without permission and stole more than $1,000. BELL will be sentenced March 14, 2014, at 9:00 a.m. BELL pled guilty as a habitual offender due to at least seven prior felony convictions. He faces a sentence of a term not to exceed fifteen years with a three year mandatory minimum.

The following is BELL's mugshot:

Muscatine County District Court - 1/17/2014

ZACHARY KENNETH MORSE (DOB: 6/12/1995) of Muscatine pled guilty to three counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, each a class "D" felony. Investigation by the Muscatine Police Department showed that the defendant had electronically disseminated photographs of a nude underage female. MORSE will be sentenced February 28, 2014, at 9:00 a.m.

TERRY DEAN THOMAS (DOB: 11/5/1993) of Muscatine was sentenced for one count of Indecent Exposure, a serious misdemeanor. Investigation by the Muscatine Police Department showed that THOMAS had exposed his genitals to another person. THOMAS was sentenced to 90 days jail, ten years of supervised release as if on parole, and will be required to register as a sex offender.

MOSES LEON BROWN (DOB: 10/27/1951) of Waterloo was sentenced for the offense of Operating a Motor Vehicle While Intoxicated, Third or Subsequent Offense. Investigation by the Muscatine County Sheriff's Office showed that BROWN was operating a motor vehicle while he was impaired by alcohol. This was BROWN's fourth conviction for OWI in his lifetime. The Court imposed an indeterminate five year prison sentence and a $3,125 fine.

Brothers plead guilty to drug, firearm charges

Today, November 12, 2013, in Muscatine County District Court:

JUAN GARCES (DOB: 7/7/1987) of Des Moines, Iowa, pled guilty to Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver and Drug Tax Stamp Violation. The possession charge carried with it a sentencing enhancement due to him being in possession of a firearm while in possession of the controlled substances. His brother, JORDAN GARCES (DOB: 5/17/1993) of Des Moines, Iowa also pled guilty to Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver.

The charges came following a traffic stop on August 23, 2013, by a Muscatine County Sheriff's Deputy. Investigation at the scene showed that the brothers were in possession of a distribution quantity of methamphetamine and a firearm.

JUAN GARCES was sentenced to an indeterminate term of not to exceed 25 years. The sentencing of JORDAN GARCES will be December 20, 2013, at 10:00 a.m.



JUAN GARCES:

JORDAN GARCES:

Public's assistance requested in locating fugitive from justice

Muscatine County Attorney Alan R. Ostergren announced today that an arrest warrant has been issued for JONATHAN BUCIO-GONZALEZ (DOB: 9/10/1980) for failing to appear at a jury trial for three counts of Sexual Abuse in the Second Degree. The jury trial was to have commenced today, November 12, 2013. Persons with information about the location of BUCIO-GONZALEZ should call the Muscatine Police Department at (563) 263-9922. A photo of BUCIO-GONZALEZ appears below:

Updated 11/12/13 at 4:16 p.m. to correct spelling of last name.

Marshalltown man pleads guilty to sexual abuse

Today, November 8, 2013, in Muscatine County District Court:

WILLIAM HARTLEY (DOB: 10/3/1973) of Marshalltown, Iowa, pled guilty to two counts of Sexual Abuse in the Third Degree. Investigation by the Muscatine Police Department showed that in 2009 the defendant forced a twelve year old girl to perform sex acts on him. The defendant had resided in Muscatine at the time. HARTLEY will be sentenced December 20, 2013, at 9:00 a.m.

In other cases:

BRIAN HOWELL (DOB: 6/3/1962) of Ely, Iowa, was sentenced for the offenses of Eluding a Pursuing Law Enforcement Vehicle, Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Driving While Revoked. The Court imposed concurrent prison sentences for a total term of not to exceed five years imprisonment. HOWELL was arrested after attempting to flee from an Atalissa police officer who sought to stop his vehicle for a traffic violation. Upon the end of the pursuit the officer discovered that HOWELL had methamphetamine in his possession and that his driver's license was revoked due to a prior conviction for Operating While Intoxicated.

JOSEPH PATTERSON (DOB: 8/13/1994) of Nichols, Iowa, pled guilty to Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree. An investigation by the West Liberty Police Department showed that he, along with two other individuals, had been involved in shooting out the windows of numerous motor vehicles in West Liberty on August 15, 2013. He will be sentenced December 20, 2013, at 9:30 a.m.

Guilty plea in felony assault, witness tampering case

Today, November 1, 2013, in Muscatine County District Court, Phillip AHRENS (DOB: 6/6/1990) pled guilty to Assault Resulting in Serious Injury and Conspiracy to Commit Tampering with a Witness.

The assault charge against AHRENS resulted from an incident on July 31, 2013, in Muscatine when he struck and kicked a female. The female victim suffered a fractured orbit and bleeding on the brain as a result of the attack.

While in custody on the assault charge AHRENS conspired with another person to tamper with witnesses in an effort to get them to provide false information to law enforcement and the courts.

"I am very pleased with this guilty plea," said Muscatine County Attorney Alan Ostergren. "After viciously assaulting the victim the defendant then assaulted the rule of law by attempting to get people to lie on his behalf," he continued.

AHRENS will be sentenced December 6, 2013, at 9:15 a.m. "We intend to ask the court for the maximum seven year prison term," said Ostergren.

The arrest and prosecution of AHRENS was the result of an investigation by the Muscatine Police Department, Street Crimes Unit. "The police officers in this case did outstanding work," said Ostergren. "They went above and beyond - both to make the original case and to break up his efforts to tamper with witnesses," added Ostergren.