Police Blotter
Newton Police
Department
• Billy D. Lay, 42, of Newton was arrested on a warrant at 7:46 p.m. Sunday at the Newton Police Department. The report states Lay turned himself in on a warrant out of Ida County. Lay was placed into custody and transported to jail.
• Melissa K. Stephen, 33, of Newton was charged with driving while license suspended at 1:56 p.m. Friday in the 1900 block of South Seventh Avenue East. The report states Stephen’s vehicle had an inoperable third brake light. Stephen’s license had been suspended for non-payment of an Iowa fine. She was released to appear in court.
• Nathaniel A. Sudbrock, 25, of Newton was cited with failure to maintain control of a vehicle and failure to restrain a child following an accident at 6:29 p.m. Aug. 21 in the 1400 block of North Eighth Avenue East. The report states Sudbrock was driving westbound when his vehicle hit the rear left tire of a vehicle parked on the north side of the road. Sudbrock’s vehicle contained a female in the front passenger seat and three children riding unsecured in the backseat. When the vehicles collided Sudbrock’s passenger-side airbag deployed, causing injury to the female passenger’s face. She complained of numbness in her face but declined treatment at the scene. Damage to Sudbrock’s vehicle was estimated at $3,000, while the parked vehicle had $75 damage. Sudbrock was released to appear in court.
• Cody D. Thomas, 40, of Newton was charged with 17 counts of forgery on Aug. 27 following a string of bad checks he allegedly wrote beginning on July 24. The report states Thomas took the checkbook of a closed account of a male relative and began writing checks to eight different businesses that totaled $1,920.04. Those businesses included: Fareway (four checks for $539.62); Underground (one check, $57); West End Sinclair (five checks, $865.90); Pizza Hut (two checks, $114.35); The Medicine Shoppe (one check, $45.96); Ryan’s Quick Shop (two checks, $211.28); Midtown Cafe (one check, $30); and O’Reilly Auto Parts (one check, $55.93). Thomas allegedly admitted stealing the checkbook and writing the checks. A West End surveillance video allowed Thomas to be identified, police said. Thomas was placed into custody and transported to jail.
• Brian S. Williams, 24, of Newton was charged with simple assault at 7:30 p.m. Sunday at 527 N. Fourth Ave. E. The report states police received a call of a fight in progress and upon arrival Williams was found walking near the scene. Williams allegedly admitted hitting another male two or three times after a verbal altercation. Williams was placed into custody and transported to jail.
• Alion White, 26, of Newton was charged with driving while license suspended at 3:45 a.m. Friday in the 400 block of East 31st Street North. The report states White was stopped because a registration check showed the vehicle’s owner had a suspended license for non-payment of an Iowa fine. White’s license had been suspended indefinitely for being a habitual offender. White was placed into custody and transported to jail.
• Adria K. Wortman, 26, of Newton was charged with driving while license suspended at 3:25 p.m. Saturday in the 600 block of East 10th Street South. The report states Wortman’s vehicle was stopped for expired registration. Wortman’s license had been suspended for non-payment of an Iowa fine. Wortman was also cited for no registration and unlawful use of a license. She was released to appear in court.
A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
