Jimmy Lee Beery pled guilty pursuant to a plea agreement to resolve a number of criminal charges. He admitted he forged a check with the intent to commit a fraud in FE250571 and that he stole property belonging to another with a value in excess of $1000 in FE243743. He admitted he has twice before been convicted of felonies, specifically forgery and theft, thus admitting he is a habitual offender. In addition he admitted he used stolen credit cards on three different occasions, in AG250437, AG249134 and AG250943. Sentencing will be heard in January. Pending sentence, Beery will participate in Residential Treatment at Mount Pleasant. If he is cooperates with the program and receives a successful discharge, the State will agree to recommend a suspended sentence. If he is unsuccessful in the program, the State will recommend prison. Whether he is granted probation of prison, the Defendant agreed to face a 36 year sentence with a mandatory minimum 6 years before he would be eligible for parole. in addition, he will be required to pay restitution to all victims of all the crimes of which he is accused.

Nicholas Fomaro appeared for a probation violation hearing. He stipulated to the violations as reported and was sentenced to a term not to exceed five years in prison. He further agreed to enter a guilty plea to a pending Aggravated Misdemeanor (Domestic Assault With Intent to Cause Serious Injury) which would run consecutively, for a total term of incarceration not to exceed SEVEN (7) years.

Ronald Oliver appeared for sentencing. Sentencing was continued to December 14, 2011 in order for the defendant to be screened for Drug Court.

Shane Cross appeared for a competency review. The hearing was continued to December 7, 2011.

Joshua Mathes appeared for a probation revocation hearing. He stipulated to having violated his probation, dispositional hearing was set for December 12, 2011.

Luke Nielsen appeared for a probation revocation hearing. He stipulated that he had violated the terms of probation and was continued on probation with additional conditions of probation, which included in-patient substance abuse treatment.

Jeffrey Vivian was set for a competency review. The Department of Corrections had not provided a status report on the defendant, so the hearing was continued to January 31, 2012.

Linfong Moua appeared for a probation revocation hearing. He stipulated that he violated the terms of his probation (by driving while barred), but because he had since obtained his driver’s license and the DWB charge had been dismissed, he was continued on probation.

Leonard Cosimo was arraigned on charges of Fraudulent Practices in the First Degree. Pretrial conference was set for December 29, 2011. Trial was set for January 30, 2012.

Marc Robinson was arraigned on drug charges. Pretrial conference was set for December 22, 2011. Trial was set for January 25, 2012.

Dean Lettington was arraigned on charges of Assault on a Police Officer with a Dangerous Weapon. Pretrial conference was set for December 29, 2011. Trial was set for January 30, 2012.

Brian Nelson was arraigned on charges of Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree. Pretrial conference was set for December 29, 2011. Trial was set for January 30, 2012.

Dustin Bachman was arraigned on charges of Burglary, Willful Injury and Assault. Pretrial conference was set for December 29, 2011. Trial was set for January 30, 2012.

Donald Steele pled guilty to a charge of Theft in the First Degree, sentencing was set for January 9, 2012.

Laurette Echols plead guilty to a charge of Theft in the Second Degree, sentencing was set for January 9, 2012.

Frederick Westfall plead guilty to a charge of Failure to Properly Register as a Sex Offender (Second Offense), sentencing was set for January 9, 2012.

Michael Bennethum pled guilty to Burglary 3rd Degree and Theft 2nd Degree in FE249392. He admitted he broke into Murray Motors, cutting a fence to gain access, and stole parts of motor vehicles. He also admitted he was in possession of a stolen truck. He agreed to a ten (10) year suspended sentence with placement at the Fort Des Moines Facility as a condition of his sentence. He will remain in jail while he awaits space available at the Facility. He will be required to make restitution for the damage done to all property.

Joshua Johnson appeared on a bond review in FE250471. Johnson requested the Court allow him to post 10% of the bond amount to the Court so he could be released from jail. Because Johnson has charges pending in Dallas County as well, he does not qualify for release through the Pre-Trial Release program. The Court declined to agree to 10% to the Court but agreed to modify the bond from cash only to cash or surety. Johnson was arraigned on the charge of Burglary 3rd Degree and is being referred to the Youthful Offender Program.

Myrna Herrerra-Gonzalez was granted a deferred judgment in FE248686 on the charge of Theft 2nd Degree. The Court cited her limited criminal record and the agreement of the parties as factors in granting her the deferred judgment. She will be required to report to a probation officer for two years.

On October 31st, 2011, Danielle Sparks FE248440, came before the court and entered a guilty plea to the offense of Conspiracy to Deliver a Controlled Substance, as alleged in Count I of the Trial Information, in violation of Iowa Code Section 124.401(1)( c )(6), a Class C Felony. On November 29th, 2011, the defendant came before the court for sentencing and received a ten (10) year suspended sentence and probation. This case was prosecuted by the Polk County Attorney’s Office Drug and Gang Bureau.

On Tuesday , November 29, 2011, Thomas Lawrence Hendrickson, age 27, was sentenced to a 10 year suspended sentence and 5 years probation on the charge of Sexual Abuse in the Third Degree. Hendrickson had earlier pled guilty to engaging in a sex act with a person who was 15 years old when he was 4 or more years older, a class C felony. In addition to probation, Hendrickson has to complete sex offender treatment, register with the sex offender registry for Life, be supervised by the department of corrections for Life, provide a DNA sample, and maintain no contact with anyone under the age of 18 for the next 5 years.

State of Iowa v. Jodie Marie Hill - FECR243465, On November 29, 2011, the defendant in the above-captioned case, Jodie M. Hill, appeared in Polk County District Court for re-sentencing. The defendant had successfully appealed her original sentence which was handed down on March 30, 2011. After a review of the original presentence investigation, and a review of the inmate progress report supplied to the court by the Iowa Correctional Institute for Women at Mitchellville, the court sentenced the defendant to five years in prison, but then suspended that sentence and placed the defendant on probation. The defendant was sentenced to probation upon re-sentencing rather than prison, as had originally been ordered, because of the defendant’s good conduct while incarcerated which was outlined in the progress report from the institution.

Jor Rual requested the Court reconsider his sentence in FE226273. He had been sentenced to ten years in prison and has been working on bettering himself, according to a letter he wrote the Court. The Court declined to reconsider his sentence at this time and set no hearing on the issue.

Bradley Langford pled guilty to Burglary 3rd Degree, admitting he broke into a business with another person for the purpose of stealing something. His sentencing is set in January.

Jeffrey Heuton pled guilty to Criminal Mischief 2nd Degree and Possession of Methamphetamine in FE251081. He asked the Court to sentence him immediately as he is already on parole and is pending revocation. The Court sentenced him to five years on his new charges to be served consecutively to his parole matter.

On October 18, 2011, Defendant Daniel Wilson, entered a plea of guilty to the charge of: Possession of a Controlled Substance With Intent to Deliver, as alleged in the Trial Information, a Class D Felony, in violation of Iowa Code Section(s) 124.401(1)(d). On November 30, 2011, Defendant Daniel Wilson, 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, a Class D Felony, in violation of Iowa Code Section(s) 124.401(1)(d). The sentence in this matter was deferred 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. Daniel Wilson was prosecuted by the Polk County Attorney’s Office Drug and Gang Bureau.

On October 14, 2011, Defendant Charles B. Robbins, entered a plea of guilty to the charge of: Possession of a Controlled Substance With Intent to Deliver, as alleged in the Trial Information, a Class C Felony, in violation of Iowa Code Section(s) 124.401(1)(c)(8). On November 30, 2011, Defendant Charles B. Robbins, was sentenced to a period of incarceration not to exceed 10 years for the charge of: Possession of a Controlled Substance With Intent to Deliver, as alleged in the Trial Information, a Class C Felony, in violation of Iowa Code Section(s) 124.401(1)(c)(8). Charles B. Robbins was prosecuted by the Polk County Attorney’s Office Drug and Gang Bureau.

On October 12, 2011, Defendant Semir Crnkic, entered a plea of guilty to the charge of: Possession of a Controlled Substance With Intent to Deliver, as alleged in the Trial Information, a Class D Felony, in violation of Iowa Code Section(s) 124.401(1)(d). On November 30, 2011, Defendant Semir Crnkic, 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, a Class D Felony, in violation of Iowa Code Section(s) 124.401(1)(d). The sentence in this matter was deferred 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. Semir Crnkic was prosecuted by the Polk County Attorney’s Office Drug and Gang Bureau.

Jose Sanchez appeared in Court in FE251140 on the charge of Intimidation with A Dangerous Weapon, 3 counts and Going Armed with Intent. He requested the Court lower his bond so he could make bail. The Bond is currently set at $30,000 cash only for each of the Intimidation charges. The Court declined to change bond, as Defendant has pled guilty and is pending sentence on the charges of Harassment 2nd Degree and Assault causing Injury. He also has another charge pending of Possession of a Controlled Substance.

Lawrence Khounxay was granted a suspended sentence and probation in FE243606 on the charge of Fraudulent Practice 2nd Degree. The Court ordered the Defendant be placed at the Fort Des Moines Residential facility at his probation officers discretion. The Defendant will be required to obtain full time employment and follow all other programming recommended by the Department of Corrections.

On November 30, 2011, Benjamin Winter admitted that he had violated his probation in case number FECR238486. His probation was revoked and he was sentenced to a maximum indeterminate term of ten (10) years and one (1) year in prison, concurrent, and must serve a mandatory one-third minimum of the ten (10) year term prior to becoming eligible for parole. He was on probation for the crimes of Possession of a Controlled Substance With Intent to Deliver, a Class C felony, and Assault on a Peace Officer, a serious misdemeanor. This defendant was prosecuted by the Polk County Attorney’s Office Drug and Gang Bureau.

State of Iowa v. Paul Rincon – FECR250802 – This defendant was arraigned on the charge of Burglary in the Third Degree, a Class D felony and Attempted Burglary in the Third Degree, an aggravated misdemeanor. To both of these charges the defendant entered a plea of not guilty and a pretrial conference was set for December 29, 2011, at 1:30 p.m. in Room 204. Trial was set for January 30, 2012.

State of Iowa v. Jacob Trammell – FECR250817 – This defendant was arraigned on the charge of Theft in the Second Degree, a Class D felony and entered a plea of not guilty. A pretrial conference was set for December 29, 2011, at 2:15 p.m. in Room 204 and trial was set for January 30, 2012.

State of Iowa. v. Freddie Dalton III – FECR251011 – This defendant was arraigned on the charge of Burglary in the Third Degree, a Class D felony and entered a plea of not guilty. A pretrial conference was set for December 29, 2011, at 2:00 p.m. in Room 204 and trial was set for January 30, 2012.

State of Iowa v. Edward Easter – FECR251212 – This defendant was arraigned on the charge of Possession of a Controlled substance With Intent to Deliver, a Class D felony and Failure to Possess a Tax Stamp, a Class D felony. To both of these charges the defendant entered a plea of not guilty and a pretrial conference was set for December 29, 2011, at 2:00 p.m. in Room 207 and trial was set for January 30, 2012.

State of Iowa v. Moises Plaza – FECR250596 – This defendant was arraigned on the charge of Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree, a Class D felony and entered a plea of not guilty. A pretrial conference was set for December 29, 2011, at 1:45 p.m. in Room 204 and trial was set for January 30, 2012.

State of Iowa v. Christopher Callahan – FECR251044 – This defendant was arraigned on the charges of Possession of a Controlled Substance With Intent to Deliver, a Class D felony and Failure to Affix a Tax Stamp, a Class D felony. To both of these charges the defendant entered a plea of not guilty and a pretrial conference was set for December 29, 2011, at 2:30 p.m. in Room 207 and trial was set for January 30, 2012.

State of Iowa v. Cassandra Jones-Clark – FECR250814 – This defendant was arraigned on the charges of Obtaining a Prescription by Fraud, a Class C felony and Obtaining a Prescription by Fraud, an aggravated misdemeanor. To both of these charges the defendant entered a plea of not guilty and a pretrial conference was set for December 29, 2011, at 2:45 p.m. in Room 207 and trial was set for January 30, 2012.

State of Iowa v. Joshua Fort – FECR251115 – This defendant was arraigned on the charges of Possession of a Controlled Substance With Intent to Delivery, a Class D felony and Failure to Affix a Tax Stamp, a Class D felony. to both of these charges the defendant entered a plea of not guilty and a pretrial conference was set for December 29, 2011, at 2:15 p.m. in Room 207 and trail was set for January 30, 2012.

State of Iowa v. Jason Mays – FECR247024 and AGCR249225 – This defendant was sentenced to five years in prison following the guilty plea entered on October 20, 2011, to two counts of Identity Theft, class D felonies. As part of the plea, the defendant acknowledged opening two separate lines of credit using the identification information of another person without permission and to obtain property or services. In sentencing the defendant to five years in prison the judge made note of the defendant’s criminal history, including previous convictions for Identity Theft and Theft.

John Pagan pled guilty to Fraudulent Practice 3rd Degree and received a suspended sentence. He admitted he had received unemployment benefits as a result of his falsely reporting a lack of income. He will be on probation for two years and is required to pay the State back $5151.50 in restitution.

On December 2, 2011, Hugo Salazar appeared in Polk County District Court in criminal number FE 248256 for sentencing. Salazar earlier pleaded guilty to Possession of a Controlled Substance With Intent to Deliver (in excess of five grams of methamphetamine) while in the immediate possession or control of a firearm. Salazar was sentenced to a term of imprisonment not to exceed 50 years. He must serve a mandatory minimum one-third of the sentence before being eligible for parole. His mandatory minimum was reduced by one-third based on his acceptance of responsibility. Salazar was prosecuted by the Polk County Attorney’s Office Drug and Gang Bureau.

On Friday December 2, 2011, Kiko Simmons pled guilty to a First Offense violation of the Iowa Sex Offender Registry. He is on the registry for an offense that happened when Simmons was a juvenile in the State of Illinois. He will be sentenced on February 3, 2012 and faces the possible sentence of a fine, credit for time served , or a period of probation. He remains on the Iowa Sex Offender Registry and is still being held in the Polk County Jail on unrelated felony drug charges.

On Friday, December 2, 2011, Brian Keith Palm was sentenced for an assault he committed at DesMoines eastside bar on June 25, 2011. Palm, also known as Brian Keith Pierce , pled guilty to Assault with Intent to Commit a Serious Injury and was placed on probation for 2 years. As a condition of probation, Palm has a no contact order with the victim, Jack Maple. Palm also must make full restitution to the victim, attend assaultive behavior classes and, seek and participate in substance abuse evaluations and treatment.

On August 22, 2011, Defendant Dwayne Coleman, entered a plea of guilty to the charge of: Possession of a Controlled Substance With Intent to Deliver and Failure to Possess a Tax Stamp, as alleged in the Trial Information, each a Class D Felony, in violation of Iowa Code Section(s) 124.401(1)(d), 453B.3 and 453B.12. On December 2, 2011, Defendant Dwayne Coleman was sentenced to a period of incarceration not to exceed 5 years for the charges of: Possession of a Controlled Substance With Intent to Deliver and Failure to Possess a Tax Stampt, as alleged in Counts I and II of the Trial Information, each a Class D Felony, in violation of Iowa Code Section(s) 124.401(1)(d), 453B.3 and 453B.12. The judgment in this matter was deferred 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. Dwayne Coleman was prosecuted by the Polk County Attorney’s Office Drug and Gang Bureau.

Back to News & Recent Cases