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Weekly Case Summary
07/04/2011

07/05/2011

On July 5, 2011, Fausto Ledesma pled guilty in Polk County Criminal Number FECR242121 to the crime of Delivery of a Controlled Substance (Marijuana). Sentencing was set for a later date. The defendant is being prosecuted by the Polk County Attorney’s Office Drug and Gang Bureau.

On July 5, 2011, Juran Bailey pled guilty to a charge of Possession of a Controlled Substance, ecstasy, With Intent to Deliver, a Class C felony, in case number FE242971. He will be sentenced on September 6, 2011 at 9:00 a.m. and faces a maximum indeterminate term of ten (10) years in prison with a mandatory one-third he must serve prior to becoming eligible for parole. This defendant was prosecuted by the Polk County Attorney’s Office Drug and Gang Bureau.

On May 16th, 2011, Jack M. West, FECR244629, pled guilty to the offense of Manufacturing a Controlled Substance-marijuana, as alleged in Count I of the Trial Information, in violation of Iowa Code Section 124.401(1)(d), a Class D Felony and Failure to Possess a Tax Stamp, as alleged in Count Ii of the Trial Information, in violation of Iowa Code Sections 453B.3 and 453B.12, a Class D Felony. On July 5th, 2011, this case came before the court for sentencing. The State argued for a 10 year suspended sentence and probation. The defendant did not have a criminal history, but had been smoking marijuana for over twenty years. He told the court that it was cheaper to grow the marijuana himself than buy it from his source in Sioux City. The defendant told the court he used to drive to Sioux City twice a month to pick up marijuana from his source. The Defense argued for a deferred judgment. The Court granted him a deferred judgment and probation with the requirement that he follow all the requirements of his aftercare program and drop UA’s as requested by his probation officer. This case was prosecuted by the Polk County Attorney’s Drug and Gang Bureau.

07/06/2011

On July 6, 2011, Derefeal Barnett was sentenced to prison in Polk County Criminal Number FECR242391 for a period not to exceed 10 years for the crime of Burlgary in the Second Degree. The defendant was prosecuted by the Polk County Attorney’s Office Drug and Gang Bureau.

On July 6, 2011, Jorge Valenzuela was sentenced to prison in Polk County Criminal Number FECR245852 for a period not to exceed 25 years for the crime of Delivery of a Controlled Susbstance (Methamphetamine) and for a period not to exceed 5 years for the crime of Failure to Possess a Tax Stamp. The Court ordered the sentences to be served consecutively. The defendant was prosecuted by the Polk County Attorney’s Office Drug and Gang Bureau.

On July 6, 2011, Robert Knust pled guilty to the charge of Possession of a Controlled Substance, methamphetamine, With Intent to Deliver, a Class C felony, and Neglect of a Dependent Person, a Class C felony, in case number FE245716. He admitted that he is a second or subsequent offender and was sentenced to a maximum indeterminate term of twenty (20) years and ten (10) years in prison, concurrent, and must serve a mandatory one-third of this term prior to becoming eligible for parole. This defendant was prosecuted by the Polk County Attorney’s Office Drug and Gang Bureau.

On July 6, 2011, defendant Casey Kennedy appeared in court and plead guilty to the charge of Child Endangerment Causing Bodily Injury. Sentencing was set for August 15, 2011.

On July 6, 2011, defendant Joseph Fontana appeared in open court and plead guilty to the charge of Fraudulent Practice in the Second Degree. Sentencing is scheduled for August 15, 2011.

On July 6, 2011, defendant Joshua Rankin appeared in court for sentencing on the charge of Criminal Mischief in the First Degree. The defendant was sentenced to a term of incarceration not to exceed ten years and committed to the Iowa Department of Corrections.

On July 6, 2011, defendant John McCoy appeared in court for arraignment. Pretrial conference is set for August 4, 2011, at 2:00 p.m. in Room 207. Trial is set for August 31, 2011, at 9:00 a.m. in Room 204.

On July 6, 2011, defendant Clifford Baker appeared in court for his arraignment. Pretrial conference was scheduled for August 4, 2011, at 2:30 p.m. in Room 207. Trial is set for August 31, 2011, at 9:00 a.m. in Room 204.

On July 6, 2011, Tajuana Banks appeared in court for arraignment. Pretrial conference is set for August 4, 2011, at 2:45 p.m. in Room 204. Trial is scheduled for August 31, 2011, at 9:00 a.m. in Room 204.

Sherry Taylor appeared in court for arraignment on July 6, 2011. Pretrial conference is set for August 4, 2011, at 2:15 p.m. in Room 204. Trial is set for August 31, 2011, at 9:00 a.m. in Room 204.

Devin McFarland appeared in court for his arraignment on July 6, 2011. Pretrial conference is set for August 4, 2011, at 3:00 p.m. in Room 204. Trial is set for August 31, 2011, at 9:00 a.m. in Room 204.

On July 6, 2011, Tracey L. Mure appeared in Polk County District Court in criminal number FE 237990. Mure’s probation was revoked and his original sentences imposed for two charges of Possession of a Controlled Substance With Intent to Deliver (as to cocaine base “crack” and marijuana). Mure shall be imprisoned for a period not to exceed ten years on the cocaine conviction and five years on the marijuana conviction. The sentences are to be served concurrently with each other, but Mure must serve a mandatory minimum one-third of the ten year sentence before he is eligible for parole. Mure was prosecuted by the Polk County Attorney’s Office Drug and Gang Bureau.

07/07/2011

On May 18th, 2011, Richard McLachlan, Jr., FE244838, entered an Alford Plea of guilty to the offense of Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver-cocaine base crack, as a lesser included offense of Count II of the Trial Information, in violation of Iowa Code Section 124.401(1)( c )(3), a Class C Felony. On July 7th, 2011, he came before the Court for sentencing and received a deferred judgment and probation. This case was prosecuted by the Polk County Attorney’s Office Drug and Gang Bureau.

Lastalcha Jones, aka Bragg, pled guilty to Fraudulent Practice 1st Degree in FE245487 for defrauding Iowa Work Force Development out of over $10,000 in unemployment benefits. The Defendant failed to report the income she was earning when she was claiming unemployment benefits. She will be sentenced in September.

On July 7, 2011, Salomon Pelayo-Cantu pled guilty to the charge of Possession of a Controlled Substance, methamphetamine, With Intent to Deliver, a Class B felony, and and admitted that he was in the immediate possession or control of a firearm when he committed that offense, in case number FE240794. He was sentenced to a maximum indeterminate term of fifty (50) years in prison and must serve a mandatory one-third of this term prior to becoming eligible for parole. This defendant was prosecuted by the Polk County Attorney’s Office Drug and Gang Bureau.

State of Iowa v. Melissa Zickefoose – FECR246333 – Plead guilty Forgery as an aggravated misdemeanor for passing a check without the authority to do so. The defendant received a two year suspended prison sentence, was placed on two years of probation, ordered to pay restitution and attend a Victim Offender Reconciliation Program meeting.

State of Iowa v. Tyler Henning – FECR244051 – This defendant plead guilty to one count of Trafficking in Stolen Weapons and one count of Theft in the Third Degree. The defendant acknowledged through the factual basis that he was in possession of stolen guns and sold one of those weapons at a pawn shop. Sentencing was set for September 14, 2011, at 2:30 p.m. in Room 204.

State of Iowa v. Martray Cain – FECR245458 – This defendant plead guilty to Forgery as an aggravated misdemeanor for passing a stolen check. The defendant received a two year suspended sentence, was placed on two years of formal probation, ordered to make restitution and participate in the Victim Offender Reconciliation Program meeting.

07/08/2011

On July 8, 2011, Randal Brown was sentenced for the crimes of Possession of a Controlled Substance, cocaine base “crack”, With Intent to Deliver, a Class C felony, while in the immediate possession or control of a firearm and as a second or subsequent offender, and Possession, Receipt, Transportation, Dominion or Control of a Firearm as a Felon, a Class D felony, in case number FE241989. He was sentenced to a maximum indeterminate term of forty (40) years and five (5) years in prison, concurrent, and must serve a mandatory one-third of this term prior to becoming eligible for parole. This defendant was prosecuted by the Polk County Attorney’s Office Drug and Gang Bureau.

On July 8, 2011, Ashley Howelton was sentenced for the crime of Conspiracy to Deliver a Controlled Substance, cocaine base “crack”, a Class B felony, in case number FE242003. She was sentenced to a maximum indeterminate term of twenty-five (25) years and must serve a mandatory one-third of this term prior to becoming eligible for parole. However, this sentence was suspended and she was placed on probation. This defendant was prosecuted by the Polk County Attorney’s Office Drug and Gang Bureau.

On July 8, 2011, Dorian Thomas pled guilty in Polk County Criminal Number FECR242389 to the crime of Burglary in the Second Degree, Theft in the Second Degree, and Burglary in the Third Degree. Sentencing was set for a later date. The defendant is being prosecuted by the Polk County Attorney’s Office Drug and Gang Bureau.

On March 8, 2011, Defendant Jason Inskeep, entered a plea of guilty to the charge of: Obtaining or Attempting to Obtain a Prescription Drug by Fraud, Deceit, Misrepresentation, or Subterfuge, as alleged in the Trial Information, a Class C Felony, in violation of Iowa Code Section(s) 124.401(1)(c)(8), 155A.24, and 155A.23. On July 8, 2011, Defendant Jason Inskeep, was sentenced to a period of incarceration not to exceed 10 years for the charge of: Obtaining or Attempting to Obtain a Prescription Drug by Fraud, Deceit, Misrepresentation, or Subterfuge, as alleged in the Trial Information, a Class C Felony, in violation of Iowa Code Section(s) 124.401(1)(c)(8), 155A.24, and 155A.23. The sentence in this matter was suspended and the defendant was placed on probation for a period of 2 years. The defendant shall be supervised by the Fifth Judicial District Department of Correctional Services. Jason Inskeep was prosecuted by the Polk County Attorney’s Office Drug and Gang Bureau.

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