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County Attorney News
Altoona man sentenced to 50 years for lascivious acts with children in Polk, Dallas counties
In December 2024, Altoona police received a report of sexual abuse against Mr. Ertz when one of the victims came forward. When police served a search warrant, they discovered child pornography.
County Attorney News
Former Ankeny Chamber CEO pleads guilty to four felonies
Melisa Ginae Cox, 47, of Johnston is accused of stealing more than $250,000 in 2023 and 2024. The defendant admitted that she used more than $10,000 of the organization’s money for personal expenses and property, and she altered chamber records to hide how the money was spent.
County Attorney News
Des Moines man pleads guilty to manslaughter for attack at jail
Because the defendant is a habitual offender, he faces up to 15 years in prison when he is sentenced at a later date. He also pleaded guilty to assault with intent to commit serious injury for injuring a different inmate shortly before assaulting Mr. Clark on June 23, 2023.
County Attorney News
Jury convicts man of first-degree murder in hotel slaying
Video evidence showed that the defendant kicked in the door and entered Ms. Looney’s hotel room at 4:25 a.m. Seven seconds later, Mr. Propps staggered out of the room and collapsed in the hallway, the video showed. Mr. Carmody was shot 11 times during the incident.
County Attorney News
Des Moines man convicted of first-degree murder in shooting of Loffredo
James Bernard Johnson said he felt disrespected and admitted he fired a handgun four times from his Tahoe, claiming he fired at the ground to frighten her.
County Attorney News
Man sentenced to up to 30 years in prison for choking girlfriend
Cooper had previously been convicted of domestic abuse assault on at least two previous occasions, in Illinois and Minnesota, as well as other charges (including at least two prior felonies) in other states.
County Attorney News
Des Moines man sentenced to 50 years in prison for stabbing woman
“Alyssa was a sweet loving child with a good heart. She never knew a stranger,” her mother said. “She was always wanting to help others, often putting others before herself, to her detriment most times, sadly."
County Attorney News
Teen sentenced up to 30 years in prison for 15-year-old's fatal fentanyl overdose
William Pippins was going into his sophomore year at Hoover High School, “where he was looking forward to continuing to show his talents on the football field,” according to his obituary.
County Attorney News
Des Moines man sentenced to 25 years in prison for killing friend while driving drunk
"He was taken from us because of someone’s reckless decision, by someone who knew better,” said one of Parreh Ngar's daughters.
County Attorney News
UPDATE: Teen sentenced to 20 years for crash that killed couple
The accident killed Fred Lehman, 76, and Mary Lehman, 79, of Des Moines.
County Attorney News
UPDATE: Man sentenced to 35 years in killing of his cousin
Martavius Green faces up to 35 years in prison and must serve a minimum of 10 years before he would be eligible for parole. He will be sentenced Feb. 18. His sentence will include enhancements for using a gun in the commission of the offense.
County Attorney News
UPDATE: Michigan truck driver sentenced to 25 years in tow-truck driver's death
Joshua Villa was loading a disabled vehicle onto his tow truck while an Urbandale police officer and a DOT Highway Helper assisted at the scene. Evidence showed that a semitruck failed to move over or slow down and struck Mr. Villa.
County Attorney News
Felon sentenced to 55 years in prison for kidnapping
In July 2016, Troy Mure was convicted of vehicular homicide for a crash that killed Scalicity Boyd, 22, a passenger in the car, on Nov. 23, 2015. Evidence showed that Mr. Mure’s vehicle was traveling 86 mph in the 600 block of 35th Street when he hit a utility pole.
County Attorney News
UPDATE: Harris sentenced to 60 years in prison for 2022 shooting
Evidence indicated that Tyrell Grimes and Andrew Jerome Harris argued outside Rico’s at Drake bar and grill.
County Attorney News
Des Moines man sentenced to 25 years in prison for baseball-bat attack
The victim suffered serious head injuries. “Without life-saving procedures by a brain surgeon, he was going to die,” Bell said.
County Attorney News
East High shooter sentenced to life with possibility of parole
The drive-by shooting in 2022 had “an incredible impact on our community as a whole,” the judge said
County Attorney News
Pleasant Hill man gets 17-year prison sentence for police chase
“Mr. Weir put multiple lives in danger because of his selfish actions,” Assistant County Attorney Leslie Nesbit told the judge. “A person dies every day in this country because of eluding."
County Attorney News
Des Moines man gets 15-year prison sentence for stabbing
“My son didn’t deserve to be murdered by Jason Parker. This was not an accident nor was it provoked,” his father wrote.
County Attorney News
Des Moines man sentenced to 60 years in prison for death and injury of infants
Keyontay’s mother, Keonna, told the court that her child’s organs were donated to other children. “His life won’t go in vain,” she wrote.
County Attorney News
Las Vegas man convicted of second-degree murder in Rico's shooting
James Mikale Wiggins, 35, argued that he was acting in self-defense when he was entering Rico’s and Tyrone Hutchins, who was also armed, was running out of the bar at 2314 University Ave.
County Attorney News
Des Moines man sentenced to 55 years in prison for sexual abuse in Polk, Story counties
Matthew Akeem Butts, 36, was accused of sexually abusing teens after meeting them on SnapChat.
County Attorney News
Man sentenced to 30 years in prison for fatal Thanksgiving Day crash
“We have nightmares of the horrific way Connie died,” a family member told the court. “Our family will never be able to celebrate Thanksgiving again.”
County Attorney News
Des Moines man sentenced to 40 years in prison for sexual assault, burglary
"We can’t keep Polk County safe without people like you, who have the courage to tell the truth,” County Attorney Kimberly Graham told the child who was assaulted.
County Attorney News
Graham issues statement on ACLU lawsuit challenging immigration law
"We will not actively participate in this lawsuit or spend the money of the people of Polk County defending this action."
County Attorney News
UPDATE: Lindaman sentenced to 50 years in prison
Dr. Lindaman, 73, was accused of abusing an 8-year-old child in his home in Ankeny on June 27, 2023.
County Attorney News
UPDATE: Victims walk canceled because of weather
“One of the most significant victims’ rights is the right to be heard,” Polk County Attorney Kimberly Graham said.
County Attorney News
Jury convicts man of sexual exploitation for sharing videos of children
Each of the counts is a class D felony, for a potential sentence of up to 55 years in prison.