(Clarinda, Iowa) – Page County Attorney, James L. Varley, today (Wednesday, May 21) issued a report on activities in the Iowa District Court for Page County, during the week of May 5, 2025:

Andrew William Berner, age 55, of Council Bluffs, appeared by counsel admitted to violating his probation and was found in contempt of court. Berner previously pled guilty to Forgery and received a Deferred Judgment. That Deferred Judgment was revoked, and Berner was sentenced to 5 years of incarceration and fined $1,025. Both the term of incarceration and the fine were suspended, and the Berner was placed on probation for 2 years. He was sentenced to 30 days in the Page County Jail for contempt and ordered to pay court costs, surcharges and court-appointed attorney fees.

Mary Irene Cook, age 63, of Council Bluffs, appeared by counsel and pled guilty to Count I, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Methamphetamine 1st Offense; and Count II, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Marijuana, 1st Offense. Cook was sentenced to 30 days in jail, with all but 3 days suspended, on Count I and 2 days in jail on Count II. The sentences shall run concurrently with each other and Cook will be placed on probation for 9 months. She was fined $430 on each count, which was suspended, and ordered to pay court costs, surcharges and court-appointed attorney fees.

Page County Courthouse

Joseph Robert Luethje, age 49, of Clarinda, appeared by counsel and pled guilty to Failing to Report a Violation of Iowa Code Section 719.7, Possessing Contraband. He was sentenced to 2 years of incarceration, which will run consecutively to his present term of incarceration. Luethje was fined $855, the fine was suspended, and he was ordered to pay court costs, surcharges and court-appointed attorney fees.

Nicholas Ryan Pruett, age 34, of Clarinda, appeared by counsel and pled guilty to Criminal Mischief, 3rd Degree. Pruett was sentenced to 180 days of incarceration, with credit given for time served, and fined $855. The fine was suspended and he was ordered to pay court costs, surcharges, court-appointed attorney fees and restitution.