(Updated 10/27) The Taylor County Sheriff’s Office said Thursday that a District Court has revoked the pre-trial release (PTR) of a man charged with three counts of Sexual Abuse in the 2nd Degree, and that man is on the run. The order for 35-year old Ben Reece, of New Market, was revoked for violation of terms of his release. On April 4th, 2017, Reece was released on a $25,000 cash bond. His last known address was a trailer park just outside of Shenandoah behind the old Highway 59 motel. He was last seen there at around 12:30-p.m., Thursday. Authorities believe Reece got a tip that a warrant had been issued for his arrest, and cut off his tracking ankle bracelet just before Noon Thursday.

Reece may be operating a gray 2010 Mercury Mariner (Iowa License Plate ENL 844) or a white 2006 GMC Sierra (Iowa License Plate ENL 843) and was last seen in Shenandoah near the 59er Campground at approximately 12:30-p.m., Thursday. Reece is described as a white male, 6-feet tall, weighing about 225-pounds. He has thin blonde hair. If you see him, call 911 immediately or the Shenandoah Police Department at 712-246-3512. Citizens are advised NOT to attempt to apprehend any individuals on their own.

Ben Reece (Photo1)

Ben Reece (Photo2)

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 5:40 p.m. CDT

KEOKUK, Iowa (AP) — A prosecutor says two cousins kidnapped, suffocated and executed a gender-fluid Iowa teenager whom they pursed for sex after a chance encounter at a grocery store. Prosecutor Christopher Perras detailed the 2016 death of 16-year-old Kedarie Johnson in opening statements Thursday at the trial of Jorge Sanders-Galvez. Perras said Sanders-Galvez and his cousin left behind a “trail of evidence” that would connect them to the crime. Sanders-Galvez’s attorney declined to make an opening statement.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller says he will seek a 10th term next year. The Des Moines Register reports 73-year-old Miller, a Democrat, made the announcement Thursday. Miller was initially elected to the statewide office in 1978. Except for a four-year stretch in the early 1990s after he made an unsuccessful run for governor, Miller has been the state’s top prosecutor since, making him the longest serving state attorney general in the country.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The head of Iowa’s veterans department has announced she’s retiring, just months after she took on the job. Jodi Tymeson announced Thursday in a press release that her last day as executive director of the Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs will be Nov. 17. Tymeson was named executive director in April and started May 1. The press release offers no additional information about her short tenure and includes a link for others to apply for the job.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has outlined priorities for combating opioid abuse in the state, but she stopped short of offering specifics on future legislation or additional state spending. Reynolds said Thursday she will prioritize existing initiatives in Iowa that aim to prevent and treat opioid abuse. Reynolds’ staff later released a list of priorities, which included increasing participation in a prescription monitoring program and expanding education on decreasing opioid prescribing.

Officials with the Iowa Dept. of Natural Resources said Thursday, that the wastewater operator for the city of Malvern had reported they discovered a break in a sewer main where it crosses Little Creek about one-fourth mile southwest of town.

The city estimates the discharge rate at 100,000 gallons per day. The untreated wastewater is discharging into the creek, not far from where it flows into Silver Creek.

The city was expecting a contractor to begin repairs soon. The DNR recommends keeping children and pets away from the area until 24 to 48 hours after repairs are complete. The city is collecting water samples in Little and Silver creeks for laboratory analysis.

A call about a stolen vehicle in Page County late this (Thursday) morning, resulted in the arrest of a rural Braddyville man. Deputies responded to 3343 290th Street (about 3 miles NE of Braddyville) at around 11:35-a.m.

During the investigation, a stolen 2002 Ford F-550 Super Duty 4×4 dump truck was recovered.  The truck had been reported stolen from Mills County on October 23rd, 2017.

John David Stone

47-year old John David Stone was subsequently arrested for Felony Theft in the 1st Degree.  Stone was transported to the Page County Jail for processing, and was unable to post a $10,000 bond. He remained in the jail pending future court proceedings.  The stolen vehicle was returned to the owners.

Pottawattamie County Sheriff Jeff Danker reports drugs were seized and three people were arrested as the result of a search warrant executed at around 10:10-a.m. Thursday (Today) at 203 East Welch Street in Crescent. Evidence recovered from the home included:

• A white crystal substance that field-tested positive as methamphetamine
• A green Leafy Substance that field-tested positive as marijuana
• A stolen handgun
• An undetermined amount of U.S. currency
• And two vehicles.

April Starkey

Bryan J. Brown

Jim W. Metzger

Taken into custody at the residence, was:

• 46-year old Jim W. Metzger, of Crescent, who faces charges that include Possession with intent to deliver/methamphetamine; Gathering where controlled substances unlawfully used. He was also wanted on a warrant out of Colfax County, Nebraska: for Fail to appear/Traffic Offense related.
• 27-year old Bryan J. Brown, and 36-year old April L. Starkey, both of Council Bluffs, were arrested for Felon in possession of a firearm; Possession with intent to deliver/methamphetamine; Prohibited Acts; A Tax Stamp Violation and Theft 4th Degree. Starkey was also wanted on a warrant out of Council Bluffs for Assault.

All three were transported to Pottawattamie County Corrections and held without bond.  All three will appear before a judge on Friday, October 27, 2017. The arrests and charges were the result of a multi-agency investigation involving the Iowa Department of Transportation – Bureau of Investigation, Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, Iowa Division of Intelligence and the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office.