Home Maps /Directions Contact
Welcome to the Polk County Attorney Website!
Attorney Main Header
Midland Building
206 6th Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50309
Phone:
Fax:
Email:
515-286-3737
515-286-3428
ctyatty@polkcountyiowa.gov
Home dividerMBQuick Links dividerMBAbout the County Attorney dividerMBCriminal dividerMBJuvenile dividerMBCivil dividerMBNews dividerMBFAQ dividerMBLinks dividerMBForms dividerMBContact Us
Weekly Case Summary
5/10/2010

Casey Barnhart plead guilty to and was sentenced for the crime of Possession of a Controlled Substance With Intent to Deliver, methamphetamine, a Class B felony, in case number FE235305. He was sentenced to an indeterminate term of twenty-five (25) years with a mandatory one-third term he must serve prior to becoming eligible for parole. This defendant was prosecuted by the Polk County Attorney’s Office Drug and Gang Bureau.

Theodore Brightman plead guilty to the crime of Possession of a Controlled Substance With Intent to Deliver, marijuana, a Class D felony, in case number FE234833. He faces a maximum indeterminate term of five (5) years in prison, but could be granted probation in this case. Sentencing is scheduled for June 22, 2010 at 9:00 a.m. in courtroom 207. This defendant was prosecuted by the Polk County Attorney’s Office Drug and Gang Bureau.

Jason Palmer was found to have violated the conditions of his probation in case number FE216324. He was ordered to complete the in-jail treatment program and must remain in custody to do so. He is on probation for the crimes of Possession of a Controlled Substance With Intent to Deliver, a Class C felony, and Failure to Possess a Tax Stamp, a Class D felony. This defendant was prosecuted by the Polk County Attorney’s Office Drug and Gang Bureau.

State of Iowa v. Leanna Cavil, FECR235326 – Leanna Cavil pled guilty to Forgery, an aggravated misdemeanor for attempting to cash a stolen check at EZ Check Cashing. Ms. Cavil was sentenced to 120 days in the Polk County Jail.

State of Iowa v. Pierre Taylor, AGCR199132 and FECR206313 – Pierre Taylor was discharged from probation in AGCR199132 because the maximum length of probation had expired. In FECR206313 Mr. Taylor’s probation was revoked and the original sentence imposed. Mr. Taylor was sentenced to an indeterminate period not to exceed five years in prison for Eluding, a Class D Felony.

State of Iowa v. Sara Richter, FECR234746 – Sara Richter pled guilty to Theft in the Second Degree, a Class D Felony for taking money from her employer. Sentencing date was set for June 24, 2010, at 9:30 in the morning in Room 204.

State of Iowa v. Ralph Bills, Jr., FECR232049 – Ralph Bills, Jr. was sentenced for the crimes of Eluding Law Enforcement and OWI 1st, Class D Felony and serious misdemeanor respectively. Mr. Bills received probation.

State of Iowa v. John O’Malley, FECR236187 – John O’Malley was arraigned on the charges of Possession of a Controlled Substance and Failure to Affix a Tax Stamp, both Class D Felonies. A pretrial conference was set for June 3, 2010, at 1:30 p.m. in Room 207. Trial date of June 30, 2010.

State of Iowa v. Emilio Ochoa, FECR236111 – Emilio Ochoa was arraigned on two counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance and Failure to Affix a Tax Stamp, all Class D Felonies. Pretrial conference was set for May 20, 2010, at 3:00 p.m. in Room 207 and trial was set for June 21, 2010.

State of Iowa v. Angela Schatzer, FECR236197 – Angela Schatzer was arraigned on the charge of Theft in the Second Degree, a Class D Felony. Pretrial conference was set for June 3, 2010, at 10:15 a.m. in Room 204. Trial was set for June 30, 2010.

State of Iowa v. Ezekiel Phelps, FECR236073 – Ezekiel Phelps was arraigned on the counts of Burglary in the Third Degree, a Class D Felony and Attempted Burglary In the Third Degree of a Vehicle, serious misdemeanor. Pretrial conference was set for June 3, 2010, at 2:45 p.m. in Room 204. Trial was set for June 30, 2010.

On March 29, 2010, Defendant Kent B. Sanford, entered a plea of guilty to the charge of: Possession of a Controlled Substance With Intent to Deliver as alleged in the Trial Information, in violation of Iowa Code Section(s) 124.401(1)(d), a Class D Felony. On May 10, 2010, Defendant Kent B. Sanford was sentenced to a period of incarceration not to exceed 5 years for the charge of: Possession of a Controlled Substance With Intent to Deliver as alleged in the Trial Information, in violation of Iowa Code Section (s) 124.401(1)(d). The sentence was suspended and the defendant was placed on probation for a period of 5 years. The defendant shall be supervised by the Fifth Judicial District Department of Correctional Services. Kent B. Sanford was prosecuted by the Polk County Attorney’s Office Drug and Gang Bureau.

5/11/2010

Ruben Nunez was sentenced to prison in Polk County Criminal Number FECR233308 for a period not to exceed 10 years for the crime of Delivery of a Controlled Substance. The defendant was prosecuted by the Polk County Attorney’s Office Drug and Gang Bureau.

State of Iowa v. Dionte Jabari Green, FECR226762
On May 11, 2010, the defendant in the above-captioned case, Dionte Jabari Green, appeared for sentencing in Polk County District Court. He had previously plead guilty to Robbery in the Second Degree on March 16, 2010. The robbery arose on February 22, 2009, when the defendant, along with his co-defendant, Stephen Cobb, robbed a young man at gunpoint near Roosevelt High School on a Sunday afternoon. The defendant and Stephen Cobb demanded money from the victim and brandished a handgun during the robbery. Both the defendant and his accomplice were apprehended a short time later when the victim saw them at a convenience store in the area and reported their location to the police. Dionte Green was sentenced to 10 years incarceration with a mandatory minimum of seven years to be served before the defendant will be eligible to be released on parole. (Stephen Cob had plead guilty to Robbery Second several months earlier and received the same sentence as Dionte Green).

5/12/2010

Trent Van Jorgenson appeared for a probation violation hearing. He stipulated to the violations and was ordered to remain in jail and thereafter to complete the Fort Des Moines Residential Facility to maximum benefits.

Kevin Underwood appeared for a probation violation hearing. He stipulated to the violations and was ordered to remain in jail and thereafter to complete the Fort Des Moines Residential Facility to maximum benefits.

Keith Hunter McElwee was sentenced for Theft in the 2nd Degree, Possession of an Offensive Weapon, Possession of a Controlled Substance (Marijuana) and Driving While License Suspended. FECR233926, SR234085 and NTA302490. The Court rejected the defendant’s requests for a deferred judgment and granted him a suspended sentence with probation. The defendant ordered that he complete 250 hours of community service, obtain full time employment and successfully comply with all probation conditions.

Jamal Woods pled guilty and was sentenced for Burglary in the 2nd Degree and Willful Injury Causing Bodily Injury. The defendant had previously been screened and accepted at the Ft. Des Moines Facility. The Court granted the defendant a suspended sentence and placed him on probation. As conditions of probation, the defendant was ordered to remain in jail until there was bed space available at the Ft. Des Moines Facility, successfully complete all probation conditions, and pay full restitution. The Court ordered that he have No Contact with the victim.

Kelley O’Bryan appeared in Polk County District Court in criminal number FE 232802. O’Bryan pleaded guilty and was sentenced for the crimes of Possession of a Controlled Substance With Intent to Deliver (methamphetamine) and Failure to Possess a Tax Stamp. O’Bryan was sentenced to terms of imprisonment not to exceed ten years and five years respectively. The sentences must be served consecutively to each other and O’Bryan must serve a mandatory minimum one-third of her ten year sentence before she is eligible for parole. O’Bryan was prosecuted by the Polk County Attorney’s Office Drug and Gang Bureau.

Defendant Joel Martin Miller entered a plea of guilty to the charge of: Possession of a Controlled Substance Third Offense, in violation of Iowa Code Section(s) 124.401(5), a Class D Felony Miller was sentenced to a period of incarceration not to exceed 5 years for the charge of: Possession of a Controlled Substance Third Offense, in violation of Iowa Code Section (s) 124.401(5). The defendant shall be committed to the custody of the Director of the Iowa Department of Corrections. Joel Martin Miller was prosecuted by the Polk County Attorney’s Office Drug and Gang Bureau.

5/13/2010

Allen Killings appeared before Judge Robert Hutchison for sentencing after being convicted by a jury of four counts of Sexual Abuse in the Second Degree as a Repeat Offender and one count of Robbery in the First Degree. Allen Killings was convicted of entering the home of a sixteen year old West Des Moines girl and raping her. He did not know his victim. He also stole property from the home after the sexual assaults. Judge Hutchison sentenced Mr. Killings to 225 years in prison. Killings must serve 187.5 years in prison before he is eligible to be released. The 225 year prison sentence imposed by Judge Hutchison is prison time in addition to the life sentence Mr. Killings is currently serving after being convicted of Murder in the First Degree in 2009.

Todd Reinier was sentenced to prison Polk County Criminal Number FECR228008 for a period not to exceed 5 years for the crime of Willful Injury. The defendant was prosecuted by the Polk County Attorney’s Office Drug and Gang Bureau.

Jennifer Ruge was sentenced to an indeterminate term of incarceration not to exceed 10 years in Polk County Criminal Number FECR234362 for the crime of Conspiracy to Manufacture a Controlled Susbtance. The Court granted Jennifer Ruge a suspended sentence and placed her on probation for a period of 5 years. The defendant was prosecuted by the Polk County Attorney’s Office Drug and Gang Bureau.

Jack Richards was found guilty for the crimes of Domestic Abuse Causing Bodily Injury and Criminal Mischief in the Fifth Degree for the damage he caused to the victim’s pickup truck. Sentencing is set for June 29, 2010, at 8:15 a.m. in courtroom 209A.

State of Iowa v. Nicholas Paul Felton – FECR235851 – This defendant pled guilty to Unauthorized Use of a Credit Card, an aggravated misdemeanor for making unauthorized purchases of less than $1,000. The defendant received a deferred judgment and was placed on probation for a period of two years, ordered to make full restitution, complete the Victim Offender Reconciliation Program, obtain a substance abuse evaluation and comply with any treatment that is recommended, and maintain fulltime employment.

State of Iowa v. Bonnie Boal – FECR235109 – This defendant pled guilty to Count 1 – Theft in the Third Degree and Count 2 – Theft in the Third Degree, both aggravated misdemeanors, for writing two checks from an account she knew to be closed. The defendant received a suspended prison sentence of four years, was placed on two years of probation, ordered to make full restitution, ordered to participate in the Victim Offender Reconciliation Program, and attend the Bad Check Class.

5/14/2010

Larry R. Stephenson appeared in Polk County District Court in criminal number FE 231885. Stephenson pleaded guilty and was sentenced for the crime of Conspiracy to Manufacture a Controlled Substance (in excess of five grams of methamphetamine) as a Second or Subsequent Drug Offender. Stephenson was sentenced to a term of imprisonment not to exceed 50 years. He must serve a mandatory minimum one-third of that time before he is eligible for parole. However the minimum sentence was reduced by one-third based on his acceptance of responsibility. Stephenson was prosecuted by the Polk County Attorney’s Office Drug and Gang Bureau.

Bruce Glen Carpenter filed a application for a restitution hearing on May 20, 2009. Mr. Carpenter was requesting the court to either eliminate any restitution payment, or require the defendant only to pay $100.00 per month. The defendant stole $32,000.00 from his mother, who is approximately 103 years of age. During the pendency of this case, the defendant has paid little to no restitution. After hearing arguments from counsel, the court entered an order increasing the defendant’s restitution payments to $500.00 per month. Additionally, the court indicated that the $500.00/month payments are to be paid on the 15th day of every month commencing on May 15, 2010, and the 15th of each month thereafter until all restitution and court costs is paid in full. The court further ordered the defendant pay his probation fee by June 1, 2010.

Back to News & Recent Cases
Top of Page | Attorney Home Page | Polk County Home | Contact Us | Disclaimer
© 2012 Polk County Government