A Harrison County man who was charged in July, 2016 with numerous counts related to sexual abuse involving children, was sentenced today (Monday), to three life terms in prison on his felony charges, plus four years in prison with a mandatory minimum of 3 1/2 years each for two aggravated misdemeanors. All terms will be served concurrently. Judge James Heckerman ruled also, that 43-year old Chad Leroy Wilson, of Persia, will not be eligible for parole.

On July 25, 2016, Wilson was formally charged in Mills County by Trial Information, with one count of Sexual Abuse in the Third Degree, Second Offense, (a Class A Felony); two counts of Lascivious Acts with a Child, Second Offense, (Class A Felonies); and two counts of Indecent Contact with a Child (Aggravated Misdemeanors)

On March 1st, 2018, a Mills County jury found Chad Leroy Wilson guilty on all five counts. Mills County Attorney, Naeda Elliott said she thanks the Mills County Sheriff’s Office, the Area Prosecution Division of the Iowa Attorney General’s Office, Project Harmony and Phoenix House for their help and dedication to “bring justice to the victim of this atrocity.”

OAKLAND, Iowa (AP) — The parents of the 16-year-old girl who died in a school bus fire in western Iowa last year are critical of school officials and the 74-year-old bus driver who also died. Glen and Natalie Klindt told The Des Moines Register they hope Iowa will strengthen school bus regulations because of the December 12 fire that happened right after Donnie Hendricks picked up Megan Klindt.

The Klindts say Hendricks couldn’t walk without a walker and had back surgery scheduled the week of the fire, so the couple says he wasn’t physically fit to drive the bus. School bus drivers in Iowa must have physicals, but endurance isn’t measured.
Federal investigators have said the fire began in the engine compartment after the bus backed into a ditch and became stuck.

Party leaders in the third congressional district have narrowly voted to place the name of a fellow Democrat on the ballot, even though Theresa Greenfield failed to collect the number of petition signatures necessary to qualify for June’s Democratic Primary.

Greenfield and a group she called “team democracy” fanned out through the district to collect a second set of petition signatures after her campaign manager admitted he forged some signatures on her first set of petitions. The last-minute effort, though, failed to produce ENOUGH signatures. Greenfield has been forced to seek another path onto the primary ballot.

Bill Brauch is chairman of the 88 third district Democrats who voted on the matter today (Monday). He doesn’t expect his group’s decision to be challenged in court. “I’m not anticipating any lawsuit, but one never knows,” Brauch says. Brauch says there was half-an-hour of “respectful” discussion about the ramifications of nominating Greenfield in this unusual way.

Some argued the move gives ammunition to Republicans, including Congressman David Young — the Republican seeking reelection in the district. Others said today’s vote was just a preliminary action and the final decision rests with three state officials who’ll meet tomorrow (Tuesday).

Iowa’s secretary of state, attorney general and state auditor are the three members of the appeal board that decide whether Greenfield’s name appears on the Primary ballot. That decision, whatever it may be, could be challenged in court.

(Radio Iowa)

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports three weekend arrests. On Saturday, 24-year old Mercedes Devonna Liparoto, of Malvern, was arrested for Possession of Controlled Substance and OWI 1st offense. Her bond was set at $1,000. And, 36-year old Ryan Patrick Hinkel, of Council Bluffs, was arrested for OWI 2nd  offense. His bond was set at $2,000.

And, 33-year old Walter Louis Zeno-Lopez, of Omaha, was arrested Sunday morning in Mills County, for OWI 1st offense, and having No Valid Driver’s License. His bond was set at $1,000.

DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — Jail authorities used a stun gun on a Dubuque man charged with murder after he refused to obey commands. Court documents say 22-year-old Helmon Betwell violated jail rules Sunday and received multiple verbal commands before Dubuque County Sheriff’s Department deputies used a stun gun to obtain compliance.

The Telegraph Herald reports Betwell has been charged with interference with official acts in relation to the incident. He also has been charged with murder, sexual assault and burglary connected to a fatal attack on a 66-year-old woman on Sept. 1, 2015, as she was walking in Dubuque. The trial was moved out of Dubuque County after extensive media coverage. Betwell’s trial had been set for May, but the prosecution and defense both said Friday they need more time to prepare.

BURLINGTON, Iowa (AP) — A southeast Iowa prosecutor criticized for dropping charges filed against a nursing home operator has decided not to seek a second term. The Hawk Eye reports that Des Moines County Attorney Amy Beavers mentioned in her announcement Monday the scrutiny and criticism she’d received for dropping charges against Marc Johnson, director of the Danville Care Center. He was accused of taking money from a patient’s account.

She cited concerns that if he were convicted, the home would have to close. Beavers made an agreement not to pursue the charges if Johnson paid the case’s court costs and didn’t violate any laws for two years.
She said in her statement Monday that, “If closing this nursing home is what the community expects from their county attorney, I am not the right county attorney.”

FAYETTE, Iowa (AP) — A sheriff says three more certified nursing assistants are charged with sexually exploiting patients at an Iowa facility for mentally disabled adults. Two CNAs at the Prairie View Residential Care Facility in Fayette were charged with sexual exploitation March 5. Fayette County Sheriff Marty Fisher said Monday that three additional former CNAs have been charged for alleged relationships dating to 2015.

The women ages 24, 31 and 43 were arrested and have been released. One’s accused of having a patient perform oral sex on her 30 times; another is accused of engaging in “heavy kissing and touching” with a patient twice. The third’s accused of having a weeklong sexual relationship. Fisher says the patients involved were undergoing court-ordered treatment.

He says investigators are looking into “further incidents where more charges could be filed.” The home provides skill-building services for adults with chronic mental illness.

The Union County Sheriff’s Office says an Afton man reported Saturday evening, that his teenage daughter had run away from home. 15-year old Sabrina McBurney is a six-foot tall white female, weighing about 185-pounds, with brown hair, brown eyes, and a lip ring. If anyone has seen her,  or has any information on where she is, please call the Union County Sheriff’s Office at 641-782-8402. (There was no photo of her from the Sheriff’s Office, but she does have a Facebook account with images located there)

The Sheriff’s Office reports also, 53-year old David Dale Dukes, of Stuart, was arrested late Saturday night at the Union County Law Enforcement Center, for disorderly conduct. Dukes plead guilty and was released from the Union County Jail. And, 29-year old Casey David Mitchell, of Afton, was arrested Sunday night at the Union County Law Enforcement Center, for domestic abuse assault. Mitchell is being held in the Union County Jail on no bond.

Authorities said also, a Shannon City man reported Sunday morning, that sometime overnight, someone took 5 red gates (2 10-foot gates, 2 16-ft. gates, and 1  8-ft. gate) from his property. The estimated value of the gates was $825.