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Man who scammed six Iowa concert venues sentenced to federal prison

News

October 26th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – A Chicago man has been sentenced to more than six years in prison for defrauding Iowa concert venues. Court records show at least six Iowa venues were bilked by 43-year-old Romel Murphy for concerts that never happened. One paid Murphy 50-thousand dollars. According to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Murphy claimed to be a talent booker and sent fake contracts to entertainment venues that appeared to cover artists’ fees for concerts. Prosecutors say Murphy pocketed more than 410-thousand dollars. He pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud. Murphy has three previous fraud convictions.

Murphy’s scheme defrauded concert venues across the country, but none were named. A federal judge has ordered him to pay back the fees he pocketed. Murphy may have made some connections in the industry by working as the road manager for a national recording artist in 2017. The artist, identified by the initials K.C. in court documents, fired Murphy after one month.

Domestic violence deaths already match 2020

News

October 26th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – A report by the Iowa Attorney General’s Crime Victim Assistance Division shows there were 17 domestic violence deaths in the first nine months of 2021. Division Director, Sandi Tibbetts Murphy, says that is the same amount in all of 2020. “That’s absolutely the first big concern that we see — we are once again at a higher rate than we have been historically — and with three months left to go in the year we are already at 17 domestic violence homicides,” Tibbetts Murphy says.

Tibbetts Murphy can’t say there is a direct link to the pandemic — but says it is an aggravating factor. “I certainly think the pandemic has made it much more difficult for those needing help to get access to it,” she says. She says many of the service providers work one-on-one with the victims and the pandemic has made that difficult. “They really were forced to almost withdraw, so again, all of those supports were incredibly curtailed during the pandemic. So, I think that certainly can be a correlation with the rise in homicides,” Tibbetts Murphy says.

Tibbetts Murphy says the Victims of Crime Act or VOCA federal funding dropped nearly 18 million dollars this year and that is also a concern. “Many of our programs rely on the VOCA funds for the majority of their budgets,” Tibbetts Murphy says. “And for a program to lose eight percent this year — but a potential 20 percent of their budget next year — could mean not only the elimination of services in some communities, the elimination of some jobs in communities, but even the closing of programs and shelters across the state.”

She says a fix is in the works to restore some of the funding, but it could take some time. Eleven of the 17 people killed so far this year have been women, and that has been the case since the statistics started being tracked in 1995. “It’s been so unfortunate that we can’t seem to solve that,” according to Tibbetts Murphy. “And that right now the most we can do is try to provide services and safety to victims so that they are able to make decisions about their planning and their lives in a way that is safe, or as safe as it can be. But the threat of that homicide is always there.”

Tibbetts Murphy says you should get help in dealing with your situation. “Our advice is always to seek the help of an advocate,. We have advocacy programs across the state. They provide services that are free and confidential. And they can work with victims to assess their needs, and assess their safety planning issues, and connect them with local resources that they may not know about or may not be able to access on their own.”

Some of the domestic violence resources available include the Iowa Domestic Violence Helpline at 800-770-1650. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is available at 800-799-SAFE or 799-7233. You can text “START” to 88788. The Love is Respect Teen Dating Violence Hotline is 866-331-9474, or text “LOVEIS” to 22522. All services are free and confidential.

Sidney Man Sentenced for Child Pornography Offenses

News

October 25th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa A southwest Iowa man was sentenced Monday in Council Bluffs U-S District Court, to serve slightly more than 17-years in prison, for Receipt and Possession of Child Pornography. In addition, the judge ordered 33-year-old Kenneth Howard Crum, Jr., of Sidney, to serve 10 years of supervised release following his imprisonment.

According to court documents, Crum pleaded guilty to the offenses in June of 2021. In November 2020, law enforcement investigated Crum for harassing his ex-wife through postings on the internet. The investigation revealed Crum also took pictures of children and posted the images on various internet websites. A search warrant was obtained to seize Crum’s
cellular telephone and a forensic examination of the cell phone located images and videos of child pornography, most involving children less than 12 years of age.

The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation – Iowa Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force investigated the case.

Atlantic Man Sentenced for Methamphetamine Offense

News

October 25th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa The U-S Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa reports a man from Atlantic, 39-year-old Christopher M. Jespersen, was sentenced Monday (Oct. 25) to 10-years in prison, for Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine. His prison term will be followed by five-years of supervised release. Additionally, Jespersen was sentenced to 15 months to be served after his 120- month sentence for violating the terms of his supervised release from a prior conviction.

According to court documents, Jespersen pleaded guilty to the offense in June of 2021. In March of 2021, Jespersen was stopped for a traffic violation while driving in Dallas  County, Iowa. A lawful search of Jespersen’s vehicle recovered over 100 grams of methamphetamine along with digital scales and other drug distribution paraphernalia.

Dallas County Sheriff’s Department, Mid-Iowa Narcotics Task Force, and the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement investigated the case.

(Update) Humboldt woman dies in Cass County crash

News

October 25th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – A woman from Humboldt County died early Monday morning as the result of a crash south of Interstate 80 in Cass County. According to the Iowa State Patrol, a 2001 Lincoln LS driven by 26-year-old Bryce Baker, of Atlantic, was traveling south on 620th/Olive Street at around 5:30-a.m., when for reasons unknown, the car crossed the center line of the road and struck a northbound 2010 Chevy pickup, head-on, just south of Dallas Road.

A passenger in one of the vehicles, 29-year-old Griffin Ferguson, of Humboldt, died at the scene. She was not wearing a seat belt. Baker, and the driver of the pickup, 64-year-old Bernard Sullivan, of Atlantic, was injured and flown by helicopter to Mercy Hospital in Des Moines. Both men were wearing seat belts. The accident remains under investigation.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office, Atlantic Fire and Rescue and Cass EMS assisted at the scene. LifeFlight and AirMed helicopters transported the injured crash victims.

Iowans need to book holiday travel now or risk high prices, no seats

News

October 25th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Some Iowans are still trying to decide what they’ll wear to this weekend’s Halloween costume party, but one expert is urging them to think ahead to their year-end holiday travel plans and book them, pronto. Meredith Mitts, spokeswoman for Triple-A-Iowa, says the sooner you lock in your plane tickets, hotel reservations or cruise plans, the better.

“As we’re getting closer to the holidays, the cost for airfare rises and the availability shrinks,” Mitts says. “So, the farther out you can plan those flights and those items, the better chance you have of getting those ideal time slots and being able to make those plans in a cost-efficient way and get where you want to go on time.” Travel troubles, especially with airlines, have made the news lately and if you haven’t bought travel insurance in the past, Mitts says you may want to start.

“What we’ve been seeing recently is numerous flight delays or cancellations and there will be a possibility for that to happen around the holidays,” Mitts says. “Travel insurance can help protect you if there are unexpected costs, such as a hotel, transportation or food. You may also receive compensation if there is lost luggage or if your flight is delayed for as little as three hours.” A survey by the motor club finds 35-percent of Iowa respondents say they’ve already reserved their holiday trips by the end of October. So where are they going?

“Iowans are planning to go to a major city or metro — about 34% of them are going to one of those two locations, but almost half of the Iowans are going somewhere else with easy access to the great outdoors,” Mitts says. “Beach destinations, state and national parks, and resort vacations top those lists followed by land tours.” Travel was down significantly a year ago due to the pandemic, but the advent of COVID-19 vaccines has changed perceptions. Mitts says compared to last year, when the vaccine wasn’t available, 26-percent of Iowans surveyed say they’re more comfortable traveling this holiday season. Over half (56%) say they feel the same as last year. Also, more than a quarter (27%) of Iowans site a fear of contracting or spreading COVID-19 as their reason for not traveling this holiday season.

Adair County Sheriff’s report (10/25/21): Ottumwa man arrested on sex charges in Fontanelle

News

October 25th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Sheriff’s Office reports a man from southeastern Iowa was being held at the Adair County Jail on a $500,000 cash-only bond. 18-year-old Gaige Matthew Schwochow, of Ottumwa, was arrested Oct. 17t in Fontanelle, by Adair County Deputies. He was wanted on an Adair County Felony warrant issued Oct. 14th, for: Lascivious Acts with a child – inflict pain or discomfort; Enticing a minor under 13 – sexual abuse or exploitation; Lascivious Acts with a child – solicitation; and Sexual Abuse in the 2nd Degree.  Additional information concerning the charges was not immediately available.

Sheriff Jeff Vandewater said there were four other, separate arrests:

  • 19-year-old Cole Michael Pfister, of Tiffin, was arrested Oct. 18th for Driving While License Denied or Revoked. He was taken into custody by an Iowa State Patrol Trooper, following a traffic stop for excessive window tint, while he was traveling on I-80 in Adair County. Pfister was being held in the Adair County Jail, on a $1,000 cash or surety bond.
  • 36-year-old Derik Wayne Bud Pickrell, of West Des Moines, was arrested Oct. 19th at the Polk County Jail, on Adair County warrants for two counts – Violation of Probation. He remains held in the jail without bond.
  • Also arrested Oct. 19th, was 35-year-old Maria Soledad Pantoja, of Afton, who was arrested for OWI/1st offense. She was later cited and released.
  • And, on Oct. 20th, 51-year-old Ronald Lee Bacon, of Altoona, was arrested in Greenfield on an Adair County warrant for three Felony counts of Burglary in the 3rd Degree. His cash-only bond was set at $10,000.

Van driven by an Atlantic woman strikes rear of a semi trailer in Red Oak. No injuries reported.

News

October 25th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Red Oak, Iowa) – No injuries were reported following a collision this (Monday) morning, in Red Oak. Police say a van rear-ended a semi-tractor trailer at around 8:45-a.m., near the intersection of Highway 48 and W. Oak Street.  The incident occurred when 30-year old Bailie Preston, of Atlantic, became distracted by a child in the back seat of the 2019 Dodge Van she was driving. The eastbound van was slowing down, but did not come to a complete stop before it hit the back of a 2020 Freightliner semi driven by 67-year-old Kenneth Hamman, of Red Oak, who was stopped at the stop light.

The truck – registered to UPS out of Des Moines – sustained $500 damage.

Water heater causes damage to Exira Library

News

October 25th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Exira, Iowa) – Officials with the Exira Public Library said Monday, that “With the approval from the Library Board, the library will be closed until further notice due to water damage from a water heater leak over the weekend.” Library officials said also, “We hope to get everything cleaned up and taken care of soon so we can get back to normal as soon as possible. If you are in need of anything, you may call and leave a message at the library 712-268-5489. We apologize for the inconvenience, and thank you for understanding!”

Man sentenced for 1995 ‘Lost Planet’ murder in Des Moines dies in prison

News

October 25th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – A 46-year old man sentenced to life in prison for a 1995 murder in Des Moines has died after a prolonged illness. According to a news release from the Iowa Department of Corrections, Timothy Keith Palmer died early Friday morning and his death was not related to Covid-19. Court records show a jury convicted Palmer of the beating death of a man in an area that used to be known as the “Lost Planet” — a former dumping site in Des Moines.

The dead man’s B-M-W and credit cards were stolen and used in Kansas City. Palmer was among five people charged and convicted in the case. Palmer unsuccessfully appealed his sentence, arguing his lawyer was ineffective during the trial.