(Clarinda, Iowa) – Interim Page County Attorney Jim Varley has released a report on cases handled by his office for the week of March 3rd, 2025. View the report below:

Treasure Nicole Wendy Bengston, age 33, Essex, Iowa, appeared with counsel and pled guilty to Operating While Intoxicated, First Offense. The Defendant was granted a deferred judgment and placed on probation for 9 months. The Defendant was specifically ordered to complete a 12-hour drinking drivers’ course, as well as complete a Substance Abuse Evaluation and follow up with any recommendations. A civil penalty of $1,250 was assessed and the Defendant was ordered to pay all court costs, surcharges and court-appointed attorney fees.

Devin Michael Betsworth, age 23, Mapleton, Iowa, appeared by counsel and pled guilty to Criminal Mischief in the 4^th Degree. The Defendant was fined $430 and ordered to pay court costs, surcharges, court-appointed attorney fees and victim restitution.

Gerald William Christianson, age 20, Clarinda, Iowa, appeared by counsel and pled guilty to Possession of a Controlled Substance, Marijuana 1^st Offense. The Defendant was ordered to pay court costs, surcharges and a $430 fine.

Michelle L. Fichter, age 53, Shenandoah, Iowa, appeared by counsel and pled guilty to Simple Assault. The Defendant was ordered to pay a fine of $105, plus court costs, surcharges and court-appointed attorney fees.

Ashley Nicole Fitzwater, age 26, Villisca, Iowa, appeared by counsel and admitted to violating probation. The Court found the Defendant to be in willful contempt of court and ordered to extend probation for an additional six months. All other terms of probation will remain as previously ordered.

Darrion Michael Dale Foster, age 22, Council Bluffs, Iowa, appeared with counsel and was found to be in violation of the terms of probation. The Defendant’s probation was revoked and the original sentence of two years in prison was imposed. The Defendant was ordered to pay all costs and court-appointed attorney fees.

Larry Lee Hart, age 43, Omaha, Nebraska, appeared by counsel and pled guilty to Operating Without Owner’s Consent. The Defendant was sentenced to 45 days of incarceration in the Page County Jail and fined $855. The fine was suspended, and the Defendant was ordered to pay court costs, surcharges and court-appointed attorney fees.

Mark Daniel Hutson, age 55, Shambaugh, Iowa, appeared by counsel and pled guilty to Operating While Intoxicated, First Offense. The Defendant was granted a deferred judgment and placed on probation for 9 months. As a condition of probation, the Defendant must obtain a drug/alcohol evaluation and follow through with any recommendations, plus attend and successfully complete the Drinking Driver’s School. The Defendant was ordered to pay court costs, expenses, court-appointed attorney fees and a civil penalty of $1,250.

Tamora Deion McGee, age 21, Shenandoah, Iowa appeared with counsel and pled guilty to Willful Injury Causing Bodily Injury. The Defendant was sentenced to five years of incarceration, which was suspended, and placed on probation for two years. The Defendant was ordered to pay a fine of $1,025, plus court costs, surcharges and court-appointed attorney fees.

Elizabeth Marie Merriett, age 37, Shenandoah, Iowa, appeared by counsel and previously entered a guilty plea to Child Endangerment and received a deferred judgment. That deferred judgment was revoked, and the Defendant was sentenced to two years of incarceration. The term of incarceration was suspended, and Defendant was placed on probation for two years. The Defendant was ordered to pay a fine of $855 (suspended), court costs, surcharges and court-appointed attorney fees.

Jeremy Jack Scarpello, age 40, Council Bluffs, Iowa, appeared with counsel and admitted to violating the terms and conditions of probation in three cases. The Defendant was found to be in willful contempt of court and sentenced to 60 days in the Page County Jail for each case. The contempt sentences will run concurrently with each other and the Defendant was ordered to pay court costs and court-appointed attorney fees.

Joshua Grady Washburn, age 36, Braddyville, Iowa, appeared by his attorney and pled guilty to Possession of a Controlled Substance, Marijuana, Third Offense. The defendant was sentenced to 90 days in the Page County Jail, with all but two days suspended. The Defendant was placed on probation for two years and as a condition, must obtain a substance abuse evaluation and mental health evaluation. The Defendant was fined $900 and ordered to pay court costs, surcharges and court-appointed attorney fees.

Joshua Grady Washburn, age 36, Braddyville, Iowa, appeared by his attorney and pled guilty to Domestic Abuse Assault. The Defendant was sentenced to 90 days in the Page County Jail, with all but two days suspended. This sentence will run concurrently with the case above. The Defendant was fined $430 and placed on probation for two years. As a condition of probation, the Defendant must obtain a substance abuse evaluation, mental health evaluation and complete the Iowa Domestic Abuse Program. The Defendant was ordered to pay court costs, surcharges and court-appointed attorney fees.