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County Attorney News
Ankeny doctor convicted of sexual assault

He is scheduled to stand trial April 1, 2024, on an enhanced charge. If convicted, he could face 50 years in prison with a mandatory 42½ years.

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2/16/2024

County Attorney News
Jury convicts three of attempted murder

Evidence showed that the defendants, without provocation, fired 48 gunshots at the three victims.

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2/9/2024

County Attorney News
Mississippi man charged with third-degree criminal mischief in violation of individual rights

Evidence shows the defendant made statements to law enforcement and the public indicating he destroyed the property because of the victim’s religion.

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1/30/2024

County Attorney News
Walls sentenced to 65 years in prison for Starts Right Here shootings

“Preston, I wanted to be there for you,” Mr. Holmes said. “I had your back like there was no tomorrow and you know that. …. Why did you choose the place you love to do something like this?”

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1/18/2024

County Attorney News
East High shooting defendant sentenced to 70 years in prison

Jessica Lopez Torres, who was shot, said she saw no remorse on the part of the defendant. “I hate that I have to go through another surgery this summer because of the actions of you and your friends ... It hurts me to see you alive while I am walking like I am crippled.”

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1/4/2024

County Attorney News
Des Moines man gets 16 years in prison for drag-racing death

“You knew what you were doing that night, drinking and driving and racing,” the mother of Marcos Faguada told the defendant.

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12/14/2023

County Attorney News
Two Des Moines residents get prison terms after infant suffers broken bones

Both defendants were accused of injuring and/or failing to protect a 4-week-old infant who arrived at the hospital with multiple broken bones in October 2022.

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12/8/2023

County Attorney News
Boens convicted of first-degree murder for killing roommate

Russell Allen McKeehan Jr., 45, was found dead of gunshot wounds.

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11/20/2023

County Attorney News
Jury convicts Harris of first-degree murder in Drake area shooting

Evidence indicated that Tyrell Grimes and Andrew Jerome Harris, 44, argued outside Rico’s at Drake bar and grill.

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11/17/2023

County Attorney News
Des Moines man convicted of vehicular homicide in child’s death

Keith Jones, driving a BWM SUV, did not stay at the scene of the accident. Officers later identified Jones as the driver of the BMW. After several weeks, his vehicle was recovered from a business garage in Chicago.

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11/2/2023

County Attorney News
Des Moines man receives 45 years in prison for manslaughter, robberies

Mr. Dok’s father and brother shared how his actions had caused suffering for relatives and friends from Iowa to Africa.  “The killing of an innocent person will haunt you. You are such a young person, as Dok was. This will affect your mom, dad, and family."

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11/2/2023

County Attorney News
Des Moines woman receives up to 32 years in prison related to child’s death

Jamal Rankins was found unresponsive in the bathtub of the family’s home on Garfield Avenue on Dec. 20, 2020. An autopsy showed that Jamal had extensive injuries to his entire body and suffered physical neglect.

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10/31/2023

County Attorney News
County Attorney Graham comments on Starts Right Here verdict

"We continue to be heartbroken for our community, and we continue to grieve with the families.”

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10/13/2023

County Attorney News
Des Moines man convicted of murder in first homicide of 2022

Trishay Marsean Thompson, 24, of Des Moines, was found Jan. 9 with gunshot wounds in his car at an apartment complex in the 1400 block of Pennsylvania Avenue.

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9/22/2023

County Attorney News
Judge convicts Des Moines man for murdering Randi Light

Randi Light and Clarence Reed had been in a relationship for two years and lived together at the time of the murder.

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9/15/2023

National Hispanic Bar Association honors assistant county attorney
County Attorney News
National Hispanic Bar Association honors assistant county attorney

Morales, who has been in the office since November 2015, was chosen as one of 17 attorneys nationally for the Latina Leadership Academy.

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9/13/2023

County Attorney News
Graham: Shooting by Pleasant Hill officer was justified under Iowa law

‘Please talk about the need for a red flag law,' father says

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9/11/2023

County Attorney News
Des Moines man sentenced for sex abuse

As a condition of probation, Coby Hemphill must reside at the Fort Des Moines Correctional facility.

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9/1/2023

County Attorney News
Johnston homicide was self-defense, County Attorney Graham rules

The shooting of Steven Miller occurred on May 9, 2023.

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9/1/2023

County Attorney News
Four more teens sentenced in East High shootings

Three defendants remain to be sentenced in the fatal shootings.

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8/24/2023

County Attorney News
Des Moines man gets life sentence for Sonic stabbing

On Dec. 7, a jury convicted Pierce of all counts: first-degree murder, two counts of first-degree burglary, and going armed with intent.

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8/23/2023

County Attorney News
Jury finds Urbandale man guilty of first-degree murder

A Polk County jury convicted Dustin Lee Sample, 38, previously of Urbandale, of Murder in the First Degree Wednesday in the beating death of his wife, Mary.

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8/22/2023

County Attorney News
10th teen pleads guilty in East High shootings

Of the 10 defendants in the shootings, three pleaded guilty to first-degree murder, and four pleaded guilty to second-degree murder.

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8/3/2023

County Attorney News
Teen pleads guilty to murder in East High shootings

Jose Lopez-Perez, 15, was killed in the March 7, 2022, shooting, and Kemery Ortega and Jessica Lopez Torres were critically injured. They were part of a group of teens congregating outside the school when dozens of gunshots were fired toward them from three vehicles driving past.

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7/21/2023

County Attorney News
Des Moines man found guilty of first-degree murder, robbery

Sean Chapman was shot in the head in his apartment at 3620 Twana Drive in July 2022.

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7/20/2023

Black officers will hold training for youth
County Attorney News
Black officers will hold training for youth

The hands-on interactive training curriculum is geared towards teens and young adults from ages 13-18.

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6/29/2023

County Attorney News
Candidate's comments regarding Polk County Attorney’s Office were wrong

The safety and health of our community are paramount at the Polk County Attorney’s Office, as are truth and justice for everyone, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, income, or any other factors.

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6/26/2023