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Des Moines, IA 50309
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WEEKLY CASE SUMMARY
09/08/2008 Thomas Junior Gordon was sentenced for the crime of Delivery of a Controlled Substance, methamphetamine, a Class C felony, in case FECR220242. He was sentenced to a maximum indeterminate term of ten (10) years in prison and must serve a mandatory one-third of this sentence prior to becoming eligible for parole. This defendant was prosecuted by the Polk County Attorney’s Office Drug and Gang Bureau. Mr. Gordon was also on probation for Possession of a Controlled Substance, Third Offense, a Class D felony, in case FECR203542 and this probation was revoked and the original five (5) year sentence was imposed. However, despite the fact that the conviction in FECR220242 constituted Gordon’s third probation violation in this case since he was placed on probation in November 2006 and despite the recommendation of the County Attorney for separate sentences, the Honorable Carla T. Schemmel ordered that Gordon serve his sentences concurrently, imposing one sentence for both the new drug felony and the probation violation. This defendant was prosecuted by the Polk County Attorney’s Office Drug and Gang Bureau.

Tyree Jackson was sentenced to prison in Polk County Criminal Number FECR214942 for a period not to exceed 25 years for the crime of Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver – Cocaine Base “Crack” and for a period not to exceed 5 years for the crime of Eluding or Attempting to Elude a Pursuing Law Enforcement Vehicle. The defendant was prosecuted by the Polk County Attorney’s Office Drug and Gang Bureau.

Kareem Sanders was sentenced to an indeterminate term of incarceration not to exceed 10 years in Polk County Criminal Number FECR217991 for the crime of Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver - Cocaine Base "Crack". After successfully completing the In Jail Treatment Program, the Court granted Kareem Sanders a suspended sentence and placed him on probation for a period of 2 years. The defendant was prosecuted by the Polk County Attorney’s Office Drug and Gang Bureau.

Lance Oppenheim pled guilty and was sentenced for Harassment First and Assault with a Dangerous Weapon. Mr. Oppenheim threatened to harm a police officer with an incendiary device and also threatened a civilian with a screw driver. Mr. Oppenheim received a two year probationary sentence and must complete all follow-up from the in-jail treatment program.

James hacker appeared in court and entered a “not guilty” plea to Arson in the First Degree, Criminal Mischief in the First Degree, and Intimidation with a Dangerous Weapon. Apparently, in an act of “road rage,” Mr. Hacker is accused of throwing some type of smoke bomb into the back of the victims’ vehicle while traveling on Interstate 80. Trial is scheduled for November 5, 2008.

Belma Bejtovic, who embezzled more than $140,000 from First Bank, received a suspended sentence today over the County Attorney’s objection. The Court ruled that her age, her abusive background, and her acceptance of full responsibility militated against a prison sentence. Ms. Bejtovic has agreed to repay the monies and must be evaluated for substance abuse issues.

John Thompson, on the day of trial, pled guilty to Theft in the Second Degree. Mr. Thompson, who admitted to exercising control over a stolen hot tub, is to be sentenced October 21, 2008.

Christina Gilbride received a suspended sentence for Attempted Burglary and Forgery.

Bonita Lathrop, who embezzled somewhere between $365,000 and one million dollars, was sentenced to prison for up to 10 years. Even though she presented evidence that she was a “pathological gambler” and that her victim preferred her out of prison, the County Attorney’s Office argued that society needed more than probation. The Court agreed. Ms. Lathrop was required to pay restitution.

09/09/2008 On July 15th, 2008, Adam Michael Irving, FECR220014, pled guilty to 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. On September 9th, 2008, he came before the Court for sentencing. The Court granted him a deferred judgment and placed him on probation for two years with the applicable $750.00 civil penalty. This case was prosecuted by the Polk County Attorney’s Office Drug and Gang Bureau.

On July 2nd, 2008, Bryan Nathan Wheeler, FECR218429, pled guilty to Delivery of a Controlled Substance-marijuana, as alleged in Count II of the Trial Information, in violation of Iowa Code Section 124.401(1)(d), a Class D Felony. On September 9th, 2008, he came before the Court for sentencing. The Court granted him a deferred judgment and placed him on probation for two years with the applicable $750.00 civil penalty. This case was prosecuted by the Polk County Attorney’s Office Drug and Gang Bureau.

Helen Frizell a/k/a Daye was sentenced in Polk County Criminal Number FECR218769 to an indeterminate term of incarceration not to exceed 5 years for the crime of Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver – Marijuana and to an indeterminate term of incarceration not to exceed 5 years for the crime of Failure to Possess a Tax Stamp. Over the State’s objection and notwithstanding the fact that law enforcement had executed a second drug-related search warrant at the defendant’s residence within the prior two weeks, the Court granted Helen Frizell a/k/a Daye a suspended sentence and placed her on probation for a period of 2 years. The defendant was prosecuted by the Polk County Attorney’s Office Drug and Gang Bureau.

09/10/2008 Tony Grimm, Jr. pleaded guilty and was sentenced in Polk County Criminal Number FE 221060. Grimm admitted to conspiring to manufacture methamphetamine and possessing lithium and anhydrous ammonia with the intent to use them to manufacture methamphetamine. Grimm was sentenced to terms of imprisonment not to exceed ten years on the conspiracy charge and five years on each of the lithium and anhydrous ammonia charges. Grimm must serve a mandatory minimum one-third of his ten year sentence before being eligible for parole. The sentences were ordered to be served consecutively to each other. Grimm was prosecuted by the Polk County Attorney’s Office Drug and Gang Bureau.

Jeremy Lawson pleaded guilty and was sentenced in Polk County Criminal Number FE 221059. Lawson admitted conspiring to manufacture in excess of five grams of methamphetamine as a second or subsequent offender. Lawson was sentenced to a term of imprisonment not to exceed 30 years. He must serve a mandatory minimum one-third of the sentence before being eligible for parole. Lawson was prosecuted by the Polk County Attorney’s Office Drug and Gang Bureau.

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