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.

Prison sentence for drug trafficking and theft for Muscatine County man

Today, January 27, 2017, in Muscatine County District Court:

TERRY LEE RAYMOND, 52, of rural Muscatine County was sentenced for the offenses of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, drug tax stamp violation, and two counts of theft in the second degree. Each offense is a class "D" felony. The court imposed consecutive prison sentences for a total term of not to exceed 20 years.

Investigation by the Muscatine County Drug Task Force revealed that RAYMOND was in possession of approximately 12 ounces of marijuana and numerous items of stolen property at his residence in rural Muscatine County. RAYMOND had prior felony convictions for operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated and possession of a controlled substance.

RAYMOND's mugshot:

In other matters:

STEPHEN STERNER, 27, of Muscatine, was sentenced for possession of a firearm as a felon and possession of a controlled substance, third offense. The court imposed concurrent prison sentences for a total term of not to exceed five years. Investigation by the Muscatine Police Department revealed that STERNER had been in possession of a pistol, marijuana, and cocaine. STERNER had previously been convicted of a felony offense.

STERNER's mugshot:

Guilty plea to assault with intent to commit sexual abuse

Muscatine County Attorney Alan R. Ostergren announced today that JOHN PAUL HUME, 38, of West Liberty pleaded guilty to the offense of assault with intent to commit sexual abuse, causing bodily injury. The offense is a class "D" forcible felony. HUME also admitted violating the terms of probation in two separate cases. HUME was on probation for the offenses of burglary in the third degree and operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, second offense.

The arrest of HUME was the result of an investigation by the West Liberty Police Department. He will be sentenced March 10, 2017, at 9:15 a.m.

HUME's mugshot:

Guilty verdict for sex offender registration violation

Muscatine County Attorney Alan R. Ostergren announced today that a Muscatine County jury found JUAN GOMEZ, JR. guilty of a violation of Iowa sex offender registry requirements. The jury determined that GOMEZ had failed to update his registration information concerning his residence. The trial began Monday, January 23, 2017. The jury deliberated for approximately three hours.

"I would like to thank the jury for their service and this verdict," said Ostergren. "I would also like to compliment the work of the Muscatine County Sheriff's Office and Det. Kenny Hora in particular for this investigation. The defendant has a lengthy history of criminal convictions for felony offenses, many for crimes of violence. I am pleased that we have been able to hold him accountable for his registry violation," Ostergren added.

GOMEZ will be sentenced March 24, 2017, at 9:00 a.m. He faces a maximum sentence of incarceration for a term not to exceed two years and a fine of $6,250.

GOMEZ's booking photo:

Prison sentence for Muscatine man injured in officer-involved shooting

Today, January 6, 2017, TIMOTHY WILLIAM SEEFELDT, of Muscatine was sentenced for the offenses of theft in the first degree and two counts of interference with official acts while armed with a dangerous weapon. The court imposed concurrent prison sentences for a total term of not to exceed ten years.

SEEFELDT was involved in an incident on January 15, 2016, where he was shot by a Muscatine County Sheriff's Deputy after attempting to flee from the location of a traffic stop. SEEFELDT backed up his vehicle and nearly struck the deputy and a Muscatine Police Officer. SEEFELDT received a non-life-threatening injury. Muscatine County Attorney Alan R. Ostergren later determined that the deputy's actions were justified and lawful. Muscatine County Sheriff C.J. Ryan determined that the deputy's actions were consistent with departmental policies.

SEEFELDT's mugshot:

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.